This has aromas of wild raspberries, plums, almond blossom, sandalwood, clay and green olives on the nose. Medium-bodied with fine, creamy tannins. Supple and transparent. Very fine. Even better from 2024.
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This has aromas of wild raspberries, plums, almond blossom, sandalwood, clay and green olives on the nose. Medium-bodied with fine, creamy tannins. Supple and transparent. Very fine. Even better from 2024.
The intense, dark cherry color of this wine suggests you’re in a new territory for Rosé, or in this case Rosato wine. The color comes from the highly pigmented Montepulciano grape grown in the Abruzzo region of Italy. The appellation regulations allow 85 percent of this grape to be blended with other local grapes including whites. However, brothers Sabatino, Roberto, and Andrea Di Properzio use only Montepuciano grapes. They use a traditional process called saignée or tank bleeding. They monitor the fermenting grapes and remove a portion of the juice when it has reached the desired color, flavors, and body for Rosato. The remaining juice continues fermenting to become a red wine. The resulting Rosato is an intense and tightly structured wine with red cherry, pomegranate, red plum flavors with a bit of orange zest, mouthwatering acidity and light supple tannins. Its body and structure make it a perfect partner for barbecued ribs, roast chicken or a sausage pizza.
The 2018 Syrah La Monaca is an inky purple color in the glass. It offers a dark and seductive bouquet that mixes blackberries and plum sauce with balsamic spice, brown sugar and hints of peppery herbs. Its textures are silky-smooth, casting ripe black fruits over a medium-bodied frame. The density and richness here tempt the imagination as fine tannins and minerals saturate under an air of violet florals. This finishes incredibly long, to notes of salted licorice and currants. The La Monaca is already highly enjoyable for its concentration and sheer potential, but it will blossom after a few years of cellaring. These vines were planted in 2011 in a mix of sand, clay and limestone at the Sallier de La Tour estate in the northwest section of the island. Considering how well the 2018 is showing, I can only imagine what more vine age will bring.
Cherry, fresh herbs, anise, clove, rosebud and sandalwood aromas open the nose of this pretty Barolo. Finesse-driven with a balance between fruit, earth, floral and structure, the wine hits on all points of a good Barolo. It's drinkable now but will show more subtle earthiness with age. Drink now–2040.
It’s hard to pull away from the 2018 Pinot Noir Krafuss, as a deep and vivid blend of cherry pits, mint, pine shavings, chalk dust and smoke swirl up from the glass. Just as its bouquet would suggest, this is pure, energetic and wholly satisfying on the palate, with a sweet and sour mix of wild berries giving way to inner violet and lavender tones, while coming across as both creamy but also ethereal. A bit more depth might take the 2018 to the next level, but that’s just splitting hairs. It finishes lightly-structured and refined with nuances of tangerine and pomegranates that linger on and on. This is some stunning juice.
There is a little more savoriness here, showing contained power. Tar and dark minerality. Plenty of forest berries, dried orange peel, frozen grapefruit and raspberries. Very structured and full-bodied, with firm, chewy tannins rendering the bold austere quality to the wine. But at the end, this is focused and taut, with a crunchy, spicy finish full of length. From organically grown grapes. Vegan. Drinkable now if you are willing to embrace austerity, but this should be better from 2027.
Readers will note the addition of two new wines that have been thrilling since the first day I tasted them. The first is from a choice parcel in Cerequio Vietti acquired from Michele Chiarlo. The new Monvigliero is made in conjunction with Jeremy Seysses of Domaine Dujac and has some whole cluster influence. As much as I hope stems don't become a trend in Piedmont like French oak barrels did in the 1990s, there is little question whole clusters seem to work especially well in Monvigliero. These wines are simply brilliant. There.
The 2018 Barolo Monvigliero, another new wine in this range, is dazzling. That's not much of a surprise, as the 2018 has always been gorgeous from barrel. A touch of whole clusters adds aromatic nuance and lift to this super-classic, sculpted Barolo. The Monvigliero impresses with its purity, delineation and class. Superb.
Masseria Li Veli is one of the few wineries that works with Susumaniello, a red indigenous variety of southern Puglia. Deep orange hue; aromas of pear jelly, currant and orange roses, with excellent freshness, very good acidity and a lengthy, round finish. Very appealing and well made; enjoy this on its own or with lighter white meats or ham over the next 2-3 years.
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