2001 Binomio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo - Italy, Abruzzi, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (8/19/2017)
I opened my previous bottle of this 15% alcohol "prestige" cuvée about 10 years ago and thought then that it needed a lot more time to civilise its excesses but now feel that I may have held off longer than ideal. Colour was very dark and opaque with rust tints visible during the pour. The nose reminded me of a slightly oxidative port with varnish touches. The palate was full bodied and dark complexioned with rich fruit similar to that of an English malty and sherry tinged currant and candied fruit cake, texture was suave and balance of a sort and contrast was achieved by fair acidity and an attractively bitter note on the quite long finish. This still does not convince me that the Montepulciano grape is capable of great things in Abruzzo and Marche but it was undeniably an interesting and original drink for once in a while. It rather overpowered its pairing of succulent lamb and it is hard to know what would suit it best. I guess that it is now on the way downhill and am not sorry that it was my last bottle. But very good in its way.
Posted from CellarTracker
I persist in believing that, with very few exceptions, the Montepulciano grape is best when producing robust and fruity entry level wines which justify Asimov's "lively and refreshing" description.