The 2005 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a medium-bodied offering with sweet dark fruit, spices and toasted oak. It appears to be somewhat forward but there is enough plumpness to suggest a few years of pleasurable drinking. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2011. Importer: Palm Bay International, Boca Raton, FL; tel. (561) 362-9642

Clean aromas of plum, berries, flowers and fresh mushroom lead to a medium-bodied palate, with a silky texture and a fresh finish of citrus and cedar. This is slightly hollow just now. Drink now. 14,000 cases made, 8,000 cases imported.??–JS??Region: Italy / Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Select to Add

Cherry fruit and vanilla are the main themes of this saturated, ruby-colored Vino Nobile. There are distant tones of natural rubber, caramel and nutmeg, but they are really just afterthoughts that add interesting highlights overall. The wine has soft cherry fruit and offers more meat and pulp in the mouth that help drive its long finish. The estate is managed by the charismatic Federico Carletti, who is in the process of opening a wine tourism center.——M.L.(6/1/2008)—— 89