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.- ML

Montevetrano is an impressive blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot and Aglianico that shows the enormous potential of red wines from southern Italy. It will age 10 years or more, and it already shows deeply sophisticated flavors of tobacco, dry fruit and spice.

Concentrated and polished, with a compact core of fresh crushed black cherry, blackberry and cassis. Silky tannins lead to layers of wild flowers, ash and iron that are slow to unfold on the long, focused finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Aglianico. Best from 2013 through 2023. 2,500 cases made. — NW