- 93 points -

Love the aromas of dark berries and just a hint of sandalwood. Full-bodied, layered and rich with a long and flavorful finish. Soft and beautiful. Very serious.

- 92 points -

Ripe brambleberries and a tinge of coffee on the nose and palate. Medium-bodied with firm, coffee-chocolate tannins that give a lightly chewy finish. Nice flavors to this, but give it a little time for the tannins to mellow. Drinkable now, but best in 2023.

- 92 points -

A sweet blend of violets and lavender gives way to crushed blackberries and chalk dust lifts from the 2021 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riparosso. It washes across the palate with soft textures and ripe wild berry fruits that are neatly contrasted by sour citrus toward the close. This finishes perfumed and with admirable length, leaving a coating of dusty tannins that tug at the cheeks. Nicely done.

- 92 points -

Lots of soaked fruit, but delivered in a fresh, vibrant mode. Dark cherries, brambleberries, elderberry essence and notes of tar and ash linger on the nose. The abundant dark fruit belies the rather fine and sleek, medium-bodied palate that follows, delivering pretty acid crunch and a precise finish.

- 91 points -

A medium-bodied red with aromas of sour cherries, lavender, crushed stones and cedar. Firm, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. Drink or hold.

- 90 points -

Savory tones of dried tobacco and mentholated herbs ride over a ripe bramble-berry core on the nose. The light-bodied palate follows suit, adding in a tangy crushed stone. There's real grip to the tannins but the succulent, crunchy fruit offers a fine counterbalance.

- 90 points -

Marasca cherry, licorice root, mint and fennel. The mid-palate, ferruginous and mid-weighted, in the most savory and meaty sense. This is one of those wines, inimitably Italian by virtue of its dry structural focus, that just needs a few years. Not too much time. Just a modicum of patience. Stay the path. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.

- 90 points -

Graham cracker and cocoa aromas meld with rich black cherry cordial on the nose, with tobacco and dewy herb accents grounding it all. It's pleasantly plump in feel, with pliant tannins and bright acidity framing the juicy cherry fruit and spicy accents. 

- 90 points -

Plum, cherry jam, aniseed and sweet spice on the nose. It’s full-bodied with powdery tannins and cinnamon-like spice notes to close. Tangy, too.

- 90 points -

The nose is tangy and earthy, with aromas of cherry, blackberry, blood orange, fennel and topsoil. The oranges and blackberries take center stage on the palate, although lean tannins and vibrant acid accentuate the earthiness. 

- 89 points -

Deep ruby. Tar, underbrush and shoe polish notes complicate dark plum on the deep, archetypal Montepulciano nose. More underbrush and spiced plum in the mouth, with peppery acidity providing lift and freshness but giving the wine a slightly lean mouthfeel. Finishes clean and moderately long. Aged for six months in large oak barrels.

- 87 points -

This opens with earthy aromas of tilled wet soil and black fruit. The juicy palate offers ripe blackberry and cherry, along with hints of white pepper and spice. There’s no complexity here but this hearty food-friendly red is perfect for everyday fare—thanks to its delicious fruit and freshness.

Cherry, cassis, tomato plant, balsamic vinegar and black licorice/herbal aromas show well on the nose of this Italian red. It’s full-bodied and fairly dry, with the ripe fruit notes wrapped in medium tannin and with a splash of acidity. This is a great food wine — if you’re grilling it would work with steak, but could just as easily pair with pasta in a red sauce or pizza.

Tout frais arrivé sur les tablettes, un très bon montepulciano gorgé de goûts fruités et épicés, porté par un grain tannique juste assez anguleux qui lui confère une allure un peu rustique, mais franchement sympathique. Finale savoureuse aux accents de cerise noire et d'herbes séchées. À ce prix et dans la catégorie des «petits» vins italiens de tous les jours, il mérite pleinement quatre étoiles.

Un petit rouge italien qui, à coup sûr, vous accrochera un sourire au visage! On perçoit de jolies tonalités de cerises, de prune avec un fond de vanille. Les saveurs sont franches et la matière plutôt généreuse. Une pointe végétale donne l’impression d’accentuer les tanins, mais l’ensemble demeure digeste et présente une bonne persistance en finale. Il est difficile de trouver mieux à moins de 15 $. Le candidat parfait d’une bonne lasagne. Servir autour de 14-15 degrés.

Due Bicchieri - Two red glasses means a wine is just short of extraordinary but showing distinct potential.

"Two Glasses"

Two glasses indicate "very good wines". *** - indicates wineries that have won ten three glass awards

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