Montevetrano 2012 300cl

The 2012 Montevetrano has evidently embraced the heat of this warm summer season. This is a dark and exuberant wine, with bold fruit flavors of black cherry, spice, leather and chocolate that pop with intensity from the glass. The effect is seamless, soft and fully integrated. The wine shows a riper taste profile, for sure, that offers pleasure and opulence.<br/>The delightful and inspirational Silvia Imparato is a larger-than-life figure on the Campania wine scene. Her work with Consulting Enologist Riccardo Cotarella over the years has forever raised the bar on the region's vinous identity. Back with her first vintage of Montevetrano in 1991, she proved that great wines could be made here (especially in the unlikely Salerno area south of Naples where few other wineries exist). Percentages change according to vintage conditions, but the estate's namesake wine is usually a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Aglianico and 20% Merlot. On my visit to the beautiful estate, Silvia Imparato generously offered to open a few back vintages so that we could check the evolution of this iconic wine.

The 2012 Montevetrano has evidently embraced the heat of this warm summer season. This is a dark and exuberant wine, with bold fruit flavors of black cherry, spice, leather and chocolate that pop with intensity from the glass. The effect is seamless, soft and fully integrated. The wine shows a riper taste profile, for sure, that offers pleasure and opulence.<br/>The delightful and inspirational Silvia Imparato is a larger-than-life figure on the Campania wine scene. Her work with Consulting Enologist Riccardo Cotarella over the years has forever raised the bar on the region's vinous identity. Back with her first vintage of Montevetrano in 1991, she proved that great wines could be made here (especially in the unlikely Salerno area south of Naples where few other wineries exist). Percentages change according to vintage conditions, but the estate's namesake wine is usually a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Aglianico and 20% Merlot. On my visit to the beautiful estate, Silvia Imparato generously offered to open a few back vintages so that we could check the evolution of this iconic wine.

A velvety-textured red with lots of dried-fruit, hazelnut and walnut undertones. Full and flavorful but rich and chocolatey. This is just a baby now. Needs three or four years to soften: better in 2017.

Brimming with dark cassis and black cherry fruit, this elegant red offers polished tannins and a finely meshed palate that layers the pure fruit with accents of dried thyme, graphite, rich leather, smoke and loamy earth. Cabernet Sauvignon, Aglianico and Merlot. Drink now through 2025. 2,500 cases made. –AN

Brimming with dark cassis and black cherry fruit, this elegant red offers polished tannins and a finely meshed palate that layers the pure fruit with accents of dried thyme, graphite, rich leather, smoke and loamy earth. Cabernet Sauvignon, Aglianico and Merlot. Drink now through 2025. 2,500 cases made. –AN