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The Wine Spectator Reviews Montevetrano 1997: 96 Parker Points This is staggering in its complexity and richness. Proprietor Silvia Imparato is a shining star. Sadly, her small vineyard of 10 acres produces only 500 cases from a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 10% Aglianico. The wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered after spending 12 months in 100% new French oak. Amazingly, the new oak is completely absorbed by the fruit. Stylistically, it is reminiscent of an Italian version of the Colgin or Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. Its mild blackberry/vivid blueberry, fabulously fragrant, floral-scented nose jumps from the glass. Opaque purple-colored, with a layered, naturally textured feel, this full-bodied, spectacularly concentrated, multidimensional wine must be tasted to be believed. A prodigious effort, it may be the finest Montevetrano yet made ... which is saying something given how spectacular other vintages have been. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2020. Montevetrano 2000 A singular aromatic profile of blueberries, spice box, white flowers, and assorted fruits is followed by an opulent wine with extraordinary purity, medium to full body, and beautifully integrated tannin, acidity, and wood. It is a wine of uncharacteristic seamlessness as well as compelling intensity and length. I recently opened a bottle of the 1993, which is still aging at a glacial pace, and remains a young but promising wine of great power, elegance, and harmony. The only downside is there is just not enough of it.Proprietor Silvia Imparato continues to fine-tune an already great wine from her 15-acre estate (the first release was in 1991). There are now 19,000 bottles of this compelling blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 10% Aglianico, all aged 12 months in new French oak, and bottled with neither fining nor filtration by consulting oenologist Riccardo Cotarella. Anticipated maturity: now-2015.
Italian Sommiliers guide to wine 2007 (Montevetrano 2004) Concentrated ruby red colour, it has a profound aroma of red fruit, (red cherries, blackberries, cranberry) with a discreet and elegant hint of wood. All of this is made excellent by a perfect mineral finish. Full and very velvety in the mouth it is dense and thick without being overwhelming, still elegantly tannic and very long. To be forgotten in the cellar and found even better in a few years. 8 – 12 months in oak barrels.5 Stars
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