Fattoria Ambra Le Vigne Alte Montalbiolo Riserva Carmignano DOCG, Tuscany, Italy

埃布拉酒莊艾特蒙塔波羅珍藏紅葡萄酒

點擊次數(shù)：5513

The 2008 Carmignano Riserva Montalbiolo comes across as a bit rustic in this vintage. Dark cherries, licorice, tar, game and earthiness are some of the notes that take shape in the glass. There is a lot going on here, but the rough tannins detract from the wine’s overall balance. The Montalbiolo is distinguished in the Ambra range by the relatively low percentage of Sangiovese (70%) and the greater use of Canaiolo (20%) in the blend along with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2008 spent 12 months in French oak tonneaux followed by an additional 12 months in Slavonian oak casks. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2018. Ambra is one of my favorite under-the-radar estates in Tuscany. Every year I taste the wines and marvel at the consistent quality the winery is able to achieve at what remain very favorable prices for the consumer. These are fabulous wines that merit a far wider audience than they have today. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including: de Grazia Imports; tel. (417) 732-4200, Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 492-9411, Robert Houde Wines, Elk Grove Village, IL; tel. (847) 430-3887

The 2007 Carmignano Riserva Montalbiolo, from the estate’s oldest vineyards, is soft and seductive while never abandoning its Sangiovese-based character. Sweet red cherries, licorice, tobacco and subtle earthiness are woven together in a textured, mid-weight style. A sweet, ethereal finish has the last say in this gorgeous, striking Carmignano. Readers will note that the ‘Le Vigne Alte’ part of the wine’s name has been dropped, but this is the identical wine as in past years. The wine was aged one year in tonneaux and a second in cask. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2027. Ambra remains an excellent source for benchmark wines from Carmignano, one of Tuscany’s least well-known appellations. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including: de Grazia Imports; tel. (417) 732-4200; Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; (516) 677-9300, Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael CA; (415) 492-9411, Giuliana Imports, Boulder CO; (303) 547-6343, Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville IL; (630) 422-1119

Like the Elzana, the 2006 Carmignano Riserva Le Vigne Alte Montalbiolo is mostly Sangiovese with a small addition of Cabernet, but here the wine shows quite a bit more richness and sheer stuffing. The Montalbiolo is also fresher than the Elzana, which suggests it has the raw material to handle the French oak with a little more grace. Dark fruit, minerals, menthol, flowers, herbs and French oak come together beautifully in this relatively large-scaled, dramatic Carmignano. Dark, baritone notes linger on the memorable finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024. Year in, year out Ambra crafts some of the most delicious Tuscan wines readers will come across. Prices remain exceedingly fair considering the quality of what is in the glass. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including: de Grazia Imports; tel. (417) 732-4200; Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael CA; tel. (415) 492-9411, Giuliana Imports, Boulder CO; tel. (303) 547-6343, Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville IL; tel. (630) 422-1119

The 2005 Carmignano Riserva Le Vigne Alte Montalbiolo (70% Sangiovese, 20% Canaiolo, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon) is another drop-dead gorgeous wine from Ambra. The style is perhaps a touch richer and more opulent than the Elzana, but here too, the balance is simply impeccable. Dark cherries, menthol, new leather and sweet scents of toasted oak emerge from this relatively soft, opulent Carmignano. The wine offers gorgeous length and a long, resonating finish. Simply put, everything here is in the right place. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2021. Ambra must be one of Italy’s most overlooked properties. Once again, this is a beautiful set of wines. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including: de Grazia Imports; tel. (417) 732-4200; Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; (516) 677-9300, Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael CA; (415) 492-9411, Giuliana Imports, Boulder CO; (303) 547-6343, Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville IL; (630) 422-1119

Ambra’s 2004 Carmignano Riserva Vigne Alte is 70% Sangiovese, 20% Canaiolo and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for two years in oak. The lower percentage of Sangiovese and the addition of Canaiolo gives the wine greater depth and volume, though not necessarily more complexity, than the Elzana. Made in a round, ample style, its profile tends towards an expression of macerated cherries, spices, menthol and sweet toasted oak. It offers outstanding length and a more accessible personality than the Elzana, although I would have a hard time picking a favorite. In 2004 both Riservas merit close consideration. This is another classy, elegant wine from Ambra. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2024.This is a beautiful set of releases from Ambra, a reference-point producer for fine Carmignano. In particular, readers won’t want to miss the single-vineyard 2004 Carmignano Riservas. The wines are aged predominantly in a combination of tonneaux and larger casks, which gives them a fairly traditional weight and texture.A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700, and Estate Wines, Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 492-9411