The 2007 Gabbro (Cabernet Sauvignon) is flat-out great.?Layers of dark fruit, smoke, cured meat, cassis and grilled herbs come to life as this powerful, muscular wine gradually reveals the depth of its pedigree and sheer class. Despite its size, the 2007 Gabbro possesses exquisite complexity and a long, nuanced finish. Scents of tar, licorice and smoke provide the final exclamation points on what is truly a memorable wine. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2027. These impeccable, gorgeous 2007s from Montepeloso and proprietor Fabio Chiarellotto all came in at the high end of the ranges I published in Issue 184 based on samples I tasted just before the wines were bottled. The only real changes are in the drinking dates, which I have pushed back for all the wines, as they have firmed up a bit in bottle, something that is quite normal. Montepeloso is one of the emerging stars of the Tuscan coast. There isn’t too much more to say, except that these are reference-point wines that readers who love the best that Tuscany has to offer will not want to be without. Importer: The Rare Wine Co., Sonoma, CA; tel. (707) 996-4484

The 2007 Gabbro (Cabernet Sauvignon) is flat-out great.?Layers of dark fruit, smoke, cured meat, cassis and grilled herbs come to life as this powerful, muscular wine gradually reveals the depth of its pedigree and sheer class. Despite its size, the 2007 Gabbro possesses exquisite complexity and a long, nuanced finish. Scents of tar, licorice and smoke provide the final exclamation points on what is truly a memorable wine. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2027. These impeccable, gorgeous 2007s from Montepeloso and proprietor Fabio Chiarellotto all came in at the high end of the ranges I published in Issue 184 based on samples I tasted just before the wines were bottled. The only real changes are in the drinking dates, which I have pushed back for all the wines, as they have firmed up a bit in bottle, something that is quite normal. Montepeloso is one of the emerging stars of the Tuscan coast. There isn’t too much more to say, except that these are reference-point wines that readers who love the best that Tuscany has to offer will not want to be without.Importer: The Rare Wine Co., Sonoma, CA; tel. (707) 996-4484