Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

While not in the same league as the legendary 2000, 2006 is showing well after sufficient air (3 hour decant), but still incredibly youthful and even a bit rustic with noticeable tannins. This is not an elegant vintage, but rather immensely structured, dense and dark fruited with Rhône-esque camphor and bacon, coffee beans and black tea. I’d give this several more years for the tannins to soften and palate to integrate but I’m not sure this will reach the heights of 02 and 00.

Absolutely insane bottle. Coffee, roasted fruits, wet earth, plum and fig. Slight leather and pipe tobacco. Beautiful. Wish I had more.

Stunning bottle! Far less dark and brooding than 2006, the uber rare 2000 Montepulciano is elegant, seamless and impeccably detailed. It’s layered with crazy depth of aromatics that soar flaunting BBQ spice, espresso, dried flowers and red fruit. It has off the charts complexity and a wild untamed nature to its expression that is as intriguing as it comes. The palate is precise, pure and balanced with a stunningly elegant texture and incredible length. Masterful wine.

Roses, violet, black cherry. Deep and clear fruit. Rich and intense. A slight cola edge on the midpalate. Lush.

Extremely young but extremely good
Good to know that I have few bottles resting somewhere 😬😬

What a rare treat to taste this!

Sfuso of Valentini.

1998. Delicious, rich, balanced, textured! Great wine!

Cataloging an old empty bottle consumed in 2014. Loved the 2001 on Easter in 2013 but this 2006 was very closed down.

Will it be better years from now?
Yes.
Is it delicious right now?
Yes!