Offers a mix of plum and oak spice notes, with an underlying herbaceous element and astringent tannins on the finish. Sangiovese and Mammolo. Drink now. 1,666 cases made, 214 cases imported.??–BS??Region: Italy / Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Select to Add

The 2013 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva is the wine that stood out to me most among these new releases from Fattoria del Cerro. This is a modern and contemporary expression with dark fruit and dried cherry followed by spice and moist chewing tobacco. It sports an inky black appearance with a robust and thickly layered texture.

Evolved and sophisticated, the 2009 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva paints a pretty picture of aged Sangiovese. Prune, plum, spice, leather and tobacco define the generous bouquet. The wine feels rich and long in the mouth and offers a good sense of tannic strength, followed by moderate freshness and sharpness.

Beginning with mushroom, herbal and underbrush aromas, this is a bit washed out and soft despite the fresh palate. Offers firm tannins. Drink now through 2018. 3,333 cases made.??–BS??Region: Italy / Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Select to Add

The 2008 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva is an attractive, medium-bodied wine laced with dark cherries, flowers, mint, spices and French oak. This is a pretty Riserva that shows the lithe structure of the year. The oak is noticeable, but not overly so. There is enough acidity for the 2008 to age well over the next few years, but it isn’t a huge wine. The Riserva is 90% Sangiovese, 5% Mammolo and 5% Colorino, aged in equal parts cask and smaller French oak barrels. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2023. Consulting oenologist Riccardo Cotarella is now the man in charge at Fattoria del Cerro and all of the SAI Agricola properties, which includes La Poderina in Montalcino. Although the wines could use a little more polish, these seem like assignments that require a gentle guide rather than a total revolution. If anything these wines need less, not more. The quality of the fruit of the entry-level wines suggests the raw materials are first-rate. Importer: Vias Imports, New York, NY; tel. (212) 629-0200