The 2001 Montiano, 100% Merlot, offers the luxuriously sweet and expansive nose which has always characterized the wine. Full of plum, raspberry, and dark chocolate scents, along with a dense, deep, and velvety palate, it is full and round, with the super-polished tannins which make it one of Italy’s touchstone Merlot bottlings. Drink: 2005-2018. This is the base of operations for Renzo and Riccardo Cotarella, 100% family-owned and now producing close to three million bottles of wine, partly from its negociant business but increasingly from the 750 acres of proprietary vineyards. Expansion has been at a sustained pace, but without the slightest loss of quality – the 2001 reds compete with the best which the brothers have made in their distinguished careers. Importer: Winebow, Hohokus, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620