The cherry, strawberry, earth, tobacco and mineral aromas and flavors show depth. This builds to the long finish and exhibits terrific balance and harmony. Decant now if you must, but should be better with some cellaring. Drink now through 2038. From Italy.

The daring nose here beckons you in, captivating with its wide range of dried oregano, rosemary, thyme, dried cranberries, tamarind and lemon drizzle cake. Then it seduces you with its athletic build, casting a steely net of crafty tannins over soft fruit, like chain mail over supple skin. A spattering of acidity rises from the midst, electrifying the whole palate and turning any remnants of dried fruit into raindrops of mineral citrus. Not a hugely powerful wine, but an essay in structure and elegance. Drink from 2024.    

This is a captivating Montepulciano d’Abruzzo with freshly picked blackcurrants, bright elderberries, citrus, bark, dried nutmeg and tea leaves. Medium to full body, racy but structured tannins, linear acidity and a gliding, polished finish. Drink from 2021

This intense version is concentrated, with black cherry, blackberry, graphite, tobacco and spice flavors, yet remains light-footed due to the racy profile. Structured, yet beautifully balanced and youthful. Shows purity and length on the aftertaste, which introduces a floral component. Best from 2022 through 2045. 814 cases made, 150 cases imported.

Intense aromas of crushed blackberries with hot stones and black licorice. Black olives, too. Full body, firm and soft tannins in a light profile. Tar and berry at the end. Great depth and focus. A gorgeous red. Drink or hold.

Aromas of blueberries, sliced strawberries and peaches. Full body and firm, chewy tannins that are polished and velvety in a refined way. Better after 2022

What happens when you blend the indigenous grapes Mammolo, Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo, Colorino, Foglia Tonda, Malvasia Nera, Sanforte and Pugnitello? You get the 2015 Montebello. This is a beautifully intense and curious wine in that it challenges you to come up with precise clues to identify the individual grapes. The bouquet is broadly projected like a wide-screen television, with cherry, blackberry, spice, tar and licorice. The depth and complexity of this vintage is particularly attractive. There is crisp acidity at the end of this mid-weight delivery that makes this wine great for fatty cuts of beef or lamb. This wine may not be for everyone, but I definitely got a charge here. Only 6,800 bottles were produced. - ML

This delivers a handy play between dried cherries, tar and pomegranate and fresh rose petals and citrus with lilac undertones; it’s a very fresh and expert rendition of the hot 2012 vintage. While dense and ornately structured, in terms of the chunky tannins, there’s real transparency that comes through, against a backdrop of extrovert dried fruit. Drink from 2023