2006 Giuliano Vigna Vecchia Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Wow! This wine is inky black, super saturated. I've read that the Montepulciano grape has some of the highest concentrations of anthnocynins, or color pigments, of any vitis vinifera varietals out there, and this wine would certainly serve as evidence to that claim. The nose is incredibly concentrated as well; ultra ripe plum, chocolate, soy sauce, saba, grape jolly rancher candy, dirt. I love it! Needless to say the palate is ultra rich with exceptional depth and length, but more importantly, excellent tannic structure without astringency, and, dare I say, a nice little streak of acid to pull it all together. Excellent balance to what could otherwise be a monolithic wine. Little warm on the finish, but alcohol is in check as well. Bravo to my collegue Greg for finding this one. This could take as big and bad a cuisine as you could throw at it; big steaks, roasts, grilled chops, rustic stews, etc. Keep the spice levels on the lower side as too much could bring out the alcohol. Wow, really cool wine. Highly recommended, but not on a day over about 70 Farenheit. CM

If you are a fan of California Cabernet but curious to branch out, here is a wine made from the Montepulciano grape that just might wine you over to the Italian side. Made from 40 year old vines and aged for eighteen months in French oak, this is big, powerful and rich, with layers of dark frutis, meaty spice and firm, earthy tannins. It begs for steak.