The 1997 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a bit more rustic than usual, with some leather and game on the nose along with slightly higher acidity and more perceptible tannins than in the past. But the fruit is there, as is the warmth of the flavors and the sense of fullness and an enveloping texture on the palate. It might seem bizarre that a wine with 14% of alcohol was not made from perfectly ripe grapes, but Montepulciano is a formidable accumulator of sugar in hot vintages, and this harvest may have been a bit early. Drink: 2006-2015. No known American importer.

Intense aromas of crushed berries, with leather and cedar. Turns to coffee. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine-grained tannins and a fruity finish. Very ripe yet silky. Not imported into the U.S. Drink now.??–JS??Region: Italy / Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Select to Add