2009 Montevetrano

The 2009 Montevetrano shows little sign of aging. The wine is fresh and bright with a full bouquet of primary fruit aromas. Black cherry, prune and plum segue to spice, leather and moist pipe tobacco. The wine is soft and plush with a tactile sense of textural richness. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Aglianico is inky black in appearance. The mouthfeel offers a little more tertiary definition, with balsam notes, rosemary oil and Indian spice.

The 2009 Montevetrano is quite possibly the most accessible young vintage of this wine I have ever tasted. I am accustomed to Montevetranos that are tight and austere, but not in 2009. In 2009 Montevetrano is open and radiant, with layers of dark fruit and a polished, well-articulated finish. The 2009 is likely to be an early drinker, but that doesn't necessarily mean the wine will age quickly. A complete vertical tasted last year and published in Issue 190 found the wines in great shape, including all of the earliest vintages. Montevetrano is approximately 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Aglianico that spent 12-14 months in French oak, 50% new. It remains a benchmark in southern Italian oenology.

The 2009 Montevetrano is quite possibly the most accessible young vintage of this wine I have ever tasted. I am accustomed to Montevetranos that are tight and austere, but not in 2009. In 2009 Montevetrano is open and radiant, with layers of dark fruit and a polished, well-articulated finish. The 2009 is likely to be an early drinker, but that doesn't necessarily mean the wine will age quickly. A complete vertical tasted last year and published in Issue 190 found the wines in great shape, including all of the earliest vintages. Montevetrano is approximately 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Aglianico that spent 12-14 months in French oak, 50% new. It remains a benchmark in southern Italian oenology. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2029. A Leonardo Lo Cascio Selection, Winebow, Montvale, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620