Montecucco: The 2009, 2008 and 2007 Vintages, Mostly

Montecucco is a relatively obscure, and also rather large Tuscan appellation: It begins on the slopes of Monte Amiata (the volcano facing Montalcino) and extends almost all the way to the coast. As such one cannot really talk of a specific terroir, because there are many, nor can one talk of a specific set of climatic conditions, because what one finds on Monte Amiata is quite different from what is closer to the coast.

In terms of composition, Montecucco is much more open than Montalcino: Montecucco Rosso must be 60% Sangiovese, with the remainder non-aromatic red grapes allowed by the Province of Grosseto, which include foreign imports such as Cabernet or Merlot, and domestic varietals such as Colorino or Canaiolo. Montecucco Sangiovese must instead be at least 85% Sangiovese, with the remainder approved varietals, and in this respect its composition resembles that of Chianti Classico. And as is the case in Chianti, some of the producers use just Sangiovese.

As I noted when I wrote about it in 2007, it's a relatively new appellation; in the past production was strictly for local consumption, and since wine was an important source of calories for the farmers, who depended upon it to survive, the emphasis was much more on quantity than quality. Said emphasis is changing, however, and now producers are working to achieve quality. With success; many of the wines presented, especially the Rossi, were pleasant food wines of the sort one sets out on the table to enjoy with the meal, and I found them to be both refreshing and successful.

I tasted these wines in the Montecucco Consorzio's headquarters on October 9 2010, with Carlo Macchi and Pasquale Porcelli of Winesurf. The wineries are in the order the Rossi were poured in.

Il Boschtto

Il Boschetto Prime Luci Rosso di Montecucco DOC 2009
Lively cherry ruby with black reflections. The bouquet is quite fresh, and young, with lively berry fruit supported by floral accents and some jammy vegetal notes. Pleasant in a young, zesty key. On the palate it's bright, with lively cherry strawberry fruit supported by moderate acidity and tannins that have a slight greenish burr, and flow into a clean strawberry finish that gains depth from bitter accents. Light zest in the glass, and will drink well with red-sauced pasta dishes, simple grilled meats, and light stews. A lark of a wine, which will go quickly, and will be perfect at a cookout too.
2 stars

Quercia Sola

Quercia Sola Rosso di Montecucco DOC 2009
Ruby with black reflections; it's not quote almandine but much more in that direction than the first. The bouquet is moderately intense, with some cherry fruit that has dusky vegetal accents and spice, and some savory notes. On the palate it's medium bodied and fairly sweet, with fairly rich cherry fruit that has some jammy accents, and flows into a fairly long fruit laced finish that resolves into bitterness with some underbrush accents; it's supported by moderate acidity, while the tannins are quite light and smooth. A simple wine for pasta dishes, hearty vegetable soups, and also pizza and similar.
1 star

Begnardi

Begnardi Rosso di Montecucco DOC 2008
Dusky pale brick ruby with black reflections. The bouquet is quite fresh, with violets and floral notesmingling with red berry fruit and slight savory notes. Pleasant youth. On the palate it's fairly light, with lively fairly sweet cherry strawberry fruit supported by clean strawberry acidity and light smooth tannins that flow into a clean fresh strawberry laced finish that gains definition from slight bitterness. Pleasant, a lark of a wine that will work quite well at a cookout too, or with simple pasta dishes, vegetable-legume soups, or quickly cooked meats, and, because of it sweetness and lightness of tannin, will also be a good bet with oriental dishes.
2 stars

Begnardi Ceneo Sangiovese di Montecucco DOC 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fresh, with pleasing berry fruit supported by some floral accents and slight hints of almond paste that may sound odd, but are pleasant. On the palate it's rich, with powerful cherry plum fruit supported by moderately intense plum acidity, and by smooth sweet tannins that flow into a clean fresh fairly sweet (for a dry wine) cherry plum finish with some tannic underpinning. It's pleasant, in a ripe fruit driven key, and will work well with drier meats, ranging from pork loin through turkey breast.
2 stars

Campinuovi

Campinuovi Rosso di Montecucco DOC 2008
Deep black cherry with violet rim. The bouquet is intense, with very ripe cherry plum fruit supported by powerful violets and other fresh floral accents, with some underlying sweetness and slight underbrush as well. A bit on the voluptuous side. On the palate it's medium bodied, with fairly rich sweetish cherry plum fruit that gains definition from lively red plum acidity, and is supported by light sweet tannins that flow into a warm plum strawberry finish. Pleasant in a light direct voluptuous key, and will work well with quickly cooked meats, light pasta sauces, and also, because of the lightness of the tannins will be a nice bet with oriental dishes. Expect it to go quickly.
2 stars

Campinuovi Sangiovese di Montecucco DOC 2008
Deep black cherry ruby with black reflections and brick cherry rim. The bouquet is intense, and quite vegetal, with unusual spicy notes that bring Sichuan preserved vegetable to mind; as it opens they fade (in part), revealing some berry fruit. On the palate it's medium bodied and fairly sweet, with cherry plum fruit supported by moderate acidity and tannins that are fairly smooth; I had expected a little more verve from the nose, whereas the palate is more settled. Simple and direct.
1 star

Castello Collemassari

Castello Collemassari Rigoleto Rosso di Montecucco DOC 2008
Lively cherry ruby with brilliant cherry rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, and a bit more vinous than some, with berry fruit supported by some underbrush and acidity, with slight sweetish accents but less floral intensity, though with time some violets emerge, gaining in intensity as the wine airs. On the palate it's fairly light, with moderately intense dusty berry fruit supported by underbrush bitterness and tannins that are fairly smooth, with a bitter cast, and flow into a rather bitter finish. It's still quite light, but more brooding than some, and will work well with simple grilled meats or light stews.
1 star

Castello Collemassari Rosso di Montecucco Riserva DOC 2007
Deep black cherry ruby with black reflections and cherry rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, and savory, with cherry and forest berry fruit mingled with some jammy notes and slight vegetal accents, with some acidity as well. On the palate it's fresh, with lively berry fruit supported by smooth sweet tannins and deft slight greenish acidity that flow into a fairly long berry fruit finish. Pleasant in a fairly graceful middle of the road key, and will be nice with grilled meats that aren't too fatty, or also with drier roasts, e.g. turkey with stuffing, gravy and everything else, I enjoyed the fruit.
2 stars

Castello Collemassari Lombrone Sangiovese di Montecucco Riserva DOC 2006
Black cherry ruby with black reflections and cherry rim. The bouquet is dusky, with moderate berry fruit and some warmth supported by tart spice. On the palate it's ample, smooth, and soft, with moderate berry fruit supported by acidity that's mineral more than fruit and lacking in intensity, and by tannins that are quite smooth and glancing.
1 star

Le Calle

Le Calle Campo Rombolo Rosso di Montecucco DOC 2008
Deep cherry ruby with black reflections and cherry rim. The bouquet is fairly bright, with strawberry fruit supported by acidity and slight underbrush, and by some violets. On the palate it's light, with fairly bright strawberry fruit that's supported by lively strawberry acidity -- it's not as sweet as some -- and by light smooth tannins that flow into a clean strawberry laced finish. It's fairly bright, and has more acidity than some of the others; this will make it a good cookout wine, and also pleasant with simple grilled meats or light stews.
2 stars

Le Calle Poggio D'Oro Sangiovese di Montecucco DOC 2007
Deep black garnet with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is eye opening, with very intense savory bouillon cube -- in Italy it's also sold in granular form in cans, and it's like opening a can of the stuff and sniffing deeply. The palate is ample and fairly sweet at the outset, with cherry plum fruit that is supported by slight acidity, while the tannins are ample and smooth; with time however the bouillon reemerges, with unusual oniony accents as well. Unusual

Le Calle Poggio D'Oro Riserva Sangiovese di Montecucco Riserva DOC 2006
Deep black almandine with black reflections and cherry rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, in a rather rustic key, with balsamic cedary notes mingled with some stable straw and warmth. On the palate it's ample, with fairly rich cherry fruit supported by warmth and moderate berry fruit acidity, while the tannins are fairly smooth, but do have a dusky burr to them, and flow into a clean rather tannic finish. It's fairly traditional in feel, and slightly lacking in intensity of fruit; if you like the style you will enjoy it, but you have to like the style.
1 star

Le Querciole

Le Querciole Rosso di Montecucco DOC 2008
Lively black cherry ruby with black reflections and cherry rim. The bouquet is quite fresh, with intense violets mingled with moderate berry fruit, though what really stands out is the flowers, and there is slight underlying sweetness as well. On the palate it's light, with ripe strawberry cherry fruit supported by moderate acidity and by tannins that have a slight dusky burr, and flow into a clean cherry-laced finish with some bitter accents. Pleasant, in a light key, though it does have slightly more body than some of the others, and will drink well with simple foods.
2 stars

Le Querciole Rosso dei Conti Rosso di Montecucco DOC 2007
Deep black cherry ruby with black reflections and some almandine in the rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, with berry fruit supported by some underbrush and slight vegetal accents, and also by some spice and acidity. On the palate it's medium bodied, with fairly rich cherry fruit supported by bright berry fruit acidity and some greenish accents, while the tannins are moderately intense and flow into a clean fairly bright berry fruit finish with lasting warmth. Pleasant, in a rather bright cheeky key, and will drink nicely with grilled meats or roasts, including -- because of the acidity -- grilled lamb chops.
2 stars

Le Querciole Rosso dei Conti Riserva Rosso di Montecucco Riserva DOC 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is mineral, with greenish accents and some vegetal notes supporting bitterness and berry fruit. On the palate it's full, with fairly bright berry fruit supported by berry fruit acidity and by smooth sweet tannins that have a well polished cocoa overlay from oak, and flow into a fairly oaky finish. It's soft, and rather rich in a sort of opulent way, and if you like the style you will enjoy it, though I found it a but understated, with the fruit surrendering a little too quickly to the other elements.
1 star

Montesalario

Montesalario Rosso di Montecucco DOC 2008
Deep cherry ruby with black cherry rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, with cherry-strawberry fruit supported by strawberry acidity and floral accents, violets, and also by slight dusky notes. On the palate it's light, with fairly rich cherry fruit supported by dusky underbrush and moderately intense mineral acidity, while the tannins have a slight bitter burr, and flow into a clean dusky cherry fruit finish with dusky tannic underpinning and slight residual sweetness. It displays a little more depth than some, with more burr to the tannins, and this will make it be a pleasant cookout wine that will also work well with simple grilled meats, form ribs through chicken (not a steak).
2 stars

Montesalario Sangiovese di Montecucco DOC 2008
Deep black cherry ruby with black reflections and black reflections. The bouquet is fairly bright, with berry fruit supported by brambly accents and some cedar mingled with wet paper -- not as clean as it might be. On the palate it's fairly sweet, and quite soft, with cherry plum fruit supported by moderate plum acidity and by tannins that are slightly brambly, flowing into a dusky butter tannic finish with plum overtones. It's quite soft, lacking in definition, and lumbers some, while the tannins are a little dry.
1 star

Palmoletino

Palmoletino Scarafone Rosso di Montecucco DOC 2008
Lively almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is unusual, though it opens to revel violets and strawberry cherry fruit. Quite fresh, and light. On the palate it's light, and direct, with fairly sweet strawberry cherry fruit supported by slight strawberry acidity and by smooth light tannins that flow into a clean strawberry laced finish. It's extremely direct, and will work well in simple situations.
1 star

Piandibugnano

Piandibugnano Cuccaia Rosso di Montecucco DOC 2008
Lively cherry ruby with black reflections and white rim. The bouquet is fresh, and fairly intense, with unusual sandalwood notes mingled with berry fruit and strawberry acidity, and also some spice. As it opens the spice gives way (in part) to vegetal notes, artichokes and bell pepper. On the palate it's fairly light, and disjointed, with dusky plum cherry fruit supported by peppery spice and tannins that have a dusky graphite burr and flow into a warm dusky finish. It stands out some, with tannins that are more aggressive, and also has a more brooding quality; it will work well with grilled meats or light stews, and also with legume or bread based soups.
1 star

Piandibugnano L'Erpico Sangiovese di Montecucco DOC 2007
Lively black cherry ruby with black reflections and cherry rim. The bouquet is rich, with elegant spice mingled with black cherry fruit and a certain warmth, with slight greenish balsamic notes. Harmonious. On the palate it's full, and fairly rich, with moderately intense cherry fruit supported by warm acidity and tannins that have a slight cedar overlay and flow into a clean cedar-vanilla laced berry fruit finish with lasting warmth. It's graceful in a fairly fruit driven key, though it is one of the more heavily and obviously oaked wines tasted so far, and will drink nicely with stews or roasts.
2 stars

Poderi Firenze

Poderi Firenze Sotto Casa Rosso di Montecucco DOC 2008
Deep cherry ruby with black reflections and cherry rim with slight hints of garnet. The bouquet is fresh, with moderate berry fruit supported by brambly accents and some spice, Direct. On the palate it's medium bodied, with fairly sweet cherry strawberry fruit supported by moderately intense berry fruit acidity and bitterness, and by tannins that have a warm vegetal burr and flow into a clean rather green finish with some sweetish accents. Direct and simple, a nice cookout or simple grilled meat wine.
1 star

Podernuovo

Podernuovo Antica Miniera Rosso di Montecucco DOC 2008
Lively cherry ruby with black reflections and ruby rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, with sour cherry fruit supported by some floral accents and some underbrush. On the palate it's fresh, and fairly vegetal, with cherry fruit supported by greenish vegetal accents and fairly bright berry fruit acidity, while the tannins are warm and have a slight burr, and flow into a greenish tannic finish with fairly intense tannic underpinning. It's pleasant in a spicy more vegetal key (more Cab?), and will drink nicely with simple grilled meats, hearty legume or bread based soups, and similar.
2 stars

Salustri

Salustri Marleo Rosso di Montecucco DOC 2008
Lively cherry ruby with black reflections and cherry rim paling to white. The bouquet is powerful, and quite vegetal, with artichoke stems and some bitter accents mingled with slight sour metallic notes. On the palate it's light, with moderately intense cherry fruit supported by graphite bitterness more than acidity, and by tannins that have a slightly greenish burr, and flow into a bitter cherry finish with some sweetness, and tannic underpinning. It's more vegetal than many, and this is likely the blend.
1 star

Salustri Santa Marta Sangiovese di Montecucco DOC 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and cherry rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with berry fruit supported by cedar and some spice, with savory accents as well. On the palate it's pleasant, with rich cherry fruit supported by moderately intense dusky acidity and tannins that have a warm burr, and flow into a fairly dry tannic finish with cherry fruit underpinning. The palate is richer and more pleasant than one might have guessed form the nose, while the overall package is quite enjoyable, and the wine will drink well with roasts, and also be a good bet with mixed grilled meats.
2 stars

Tenuta di Montecucco

Tenuta di Montecucco Passonaia Rosso di Montecucco DOC 2008
Lively cherry ruby with black reflections and slight hints of garnet in the rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, in a more rustic key, with balsamic notes that are a little unusual in a wine this young, and slight hints of stable straw, with fairly bright acidity as well. Particular, and you will like it or not. On the palate it's medium bodied, with brambly berry fruit supported by greenish brambly acidity and by tannins that have dusky greenish vegetal underpinning and flow into a fairly long sour cherry finish. It's more aggressive, and more vegetal than many, and because of its aggressiveness will be a good bet with simple grilled meats, or with fried meats and vegetables.
1 star

Tenuta di Montecucco Le Coste Sangiovese di Montecucco DOC 2006
Lively black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is bright, with greenish accents mingled with spice and some vegetal notes, also some cedar and underlying sweetness. On the palate it's moderately intense, with moderate fruit supported by some acidity, and by dusky tannins that flow into a clean slightly mineral finish. I'd have liked greater depth and richness overtones the fruit.
1 star

Tenuta di Montecucco Rigomoro Sangiovese di Montecucco Riserva DOC 2005
Deep black almandine ruby with black reflections and cherry rim The bouquet is fairly intense, with cherry fruit supported by greenish spice and some peppery accents, and by some underlying cedar. On the palate it's pleasant, with fairly rich cherry fruit supported by deft greenish cherry acidity, and by smooth sweet tannins that flow into a fairly bright berry fruit finish. Pleasant, and I might not have guessed it was a 2005, which I associate with a more brambly cool weather cast; it will drink nicely with grilled meats or roasts and ahs a cheeky charm to it.
2 stars

Poggio Mandorlo

Poggio Mandorlo La Querce Sangiovese di Montecucco DOC 2008
Deep black cherry ruby with black reflections and cherry rim. The bouquet is a little unusual, with berry fruit laced with candle wax that blows off, and supported by some bitter accents and spice. On the palate it's bright, with lively strawberry cherry fruit supported by brambly acidity, and by tannins that are fairly smooth, though they do have some brambly accents, and it flows into a clean rather sour cherry finish with tannic underpinning. The tannins are slightly drier than some, and will drink well with simple grilled meats or light stews.
1 star

Macchialta

Macchialta Sangiovese di Montecucco DOC 2008
Black cherry ruby with black reflections and cherry rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, and rather dirty -- oxidized with some sweetness. On the palate it's quite tannic, astringent even, with moderate sour berry fruit supported by slight acidity, and overshadowed by decidedly greenish almost artichoke astringency. It's not what I think of as Sangiovese.

Amiata

Amiata Rosso di Montecucco DOC 2007
Deep black cherry ruby with black reflections and cherry rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with moderate berry fruit supported by alcohol and warmth; there are also some greenish accents. On the palate it's pleasant, and medium bodied, with fairly rich cherry fruit supported by deft berry fruit acidity, and by slight greenish vegetal accents, while the tannins are clean and slightly vegetal, flowing into a clean berry fruit finish. Pleasant, in a fairly direct key, and will drink nicely with simple grilled meats or light stews.
2 stars

Amiata Sangiovese di Montecucco DOC 2006
Deep black cherry ruby with black reflections and cherry rim. The bouquet is dusky, with penetrating spice and some greenish accents mingled with berry fruit and wet rag, it's not as clean as I might have liked. On the palate it's richer than the nose suggests, with fairly bright cherry fruit supported by deft berry fruit acidity and by tannins that have a slight cedar laced burr, and flow into a clean fairly sour cherry finish. It's better on the palate than the nose, and will drink well with hearty red meats, ranging from scottiglia, the local mixed meat stew, through steaks and roasts.
1 star

Basile

Basile Cartacanta Rosso di Montecucco DOC 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, in a fairly rustic key, with balsamic notes and some barnyard tang, wet stable straw, and spice. On the palate it's a bit muddy, with berry fruit that has some hazelnut accents, and is supported by brambly greenish notes, and tannins that are rather dry and flow into a dry finish.
1 star

Le Vigne

Le Vigne Cupilaio Rosso di Montecucco DOC 2007
Deep black cherry ruby with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is muted, though swishing brings up some spice and cherry fruit. On the palate it's ample, with moderately intense cherry plum fruit supported by moderate acidity and smooth sweet tannins that flow into a fairly sweet berry fruit finish with some underbrush accents. I'd have liked more intensity to the nose, which is oddly silent.
1 star

Le Vigne Sangiovese di Montecucco DOC 2006
Dusky deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is not as clean as it might be, with some wet rag mingled with alcohol and savory accents. On the palate it's dry, with moderate berry fruit supported by bitterness more than acidity, and hulking tannins that flow into a dry rather bitter finish with slight balsamic warmth. It's not really settled, but does lack verve, and has a slightly tired feel to it.
1 star

Marinelli

Marinelli I Venti Sangiovese di Montecucco Riserva DOC 2006
The nose is odd -- smells like peanut shells. Oak, and powerfully toasted oak that covers everything. Pity, because on the palate there is cherry fruit supported by fairly bright acidity, and by tannins that are initially smooth and savory, carrying into a finish in which the smoky notes emerge to a degree. With different wood it would have been quite nice.
1 star

Parmoleto

Parmoleto Rosso di Montecucco DOC 2007
Deep cherry ruby with black reflections and cherry rim. The bouquet is a bit unusual, with coconut shavings mingled with spice and warmth, and as it opens some greenish fruit with savory accents too On the palate it's ample, and soft, with fairly rich rather lax cherry black currant fruit supported by moderate acidity and very smooth tannins that have a slightly greenish cast and flow into a fairly bright berry fruit finish. It's pleasant, but a little laxer than I might have liked, and will drink well with drier roasts or similar.
1 star

Parmoleto Sangiovese di Montecucco DOC 2007
Lively black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, and elegant, with warm cedar-laced sour cherry fruit supported by deft acidity and some vegetal accents, and pleasing spice. On the palate it's rich, with powerful cherry fruit supported by deft berry fruit acidity and smooth sweet tannins that flow into a fairly long cherry finish with slight cocoa underpinning. Pleasing, in a fairly rich key, and will drink nicely with grilled meats or hearty not too fatty roasts, and I would think about serving it with roast beef that's not absolutely rare.
2 stars

Parmoleto Sangiovese di Montecucco Riserva DOC 2006
Deep black cherry ruby with black reflections and cherry rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, and spicy, with fairly intense berry fruit supported by greenish accents and some wet earth; it's not as clean as it might have been. On the palate it's fairly full, with moderately intense berry fruit supported by slight acidity and by tannins that have an ample sweet cedar overlay to them, and flow into a fairly long warm tannic finish. I'd have liked more brightness to the fruit, which doesn't quite manage to contrast the tannins.
1 star

Pieve Vecchia

Pieve Vecchia Albatrello Rosso di Montecucco DOC 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with considerable underbrush and some brambly vegetal accents -- bell peppers -- supporting red berry fruit with some underlying spice that includes hints of nutmeg. On the palate it's bright, with fairly rch cherry black currant fruit supported by greenish vegetal acidity and by tannins that are fairly smooth, but again display a greenish vegetal overlay, and flow into a rather tart tannic finish. It's bright at the outset but becomes more strident in the finish, and because of the tart acidity and warmth will work well with fattier foods, for example grilled or fried lamb chops, or a hearty stew. It is a bit particular, and you have to like wines that display a degree of aggressiveness.
1 star

Pieve Vecchia Chorum Sangiovese di Montecucco DOC 2007
Black almandine with black reflections and cherry rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with red berry fruit supported by spice and some warmth. On the palate it's fairly rich, with lively cherry fruit supported by smooth sweet tannins and moderate acidity that flow into a clean fairly bright cherry finish with tannic underpinning. It's fairly direct, and the tannins have a glancing key to them, but will drink nicely with grilled meats or alight roasts.
1 star

Pierini Brugi

Pierini Brugi Sugherettaio Rosso di Montecucco DOC 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is not as clean as it might be, with metallic accents and some greenish notes. On the palate it's full, with fairly bright berry fruit supported by lively berry fruit acidity, and by tannins that have a dusky rather lumbering burr, and flow into a fairly quick tannic finish. It's quite direct, and I'd have liked better definition on the nose.
1 star

Pierini Brugi Albatreto Rosso di Montecucco DOC 2007
Deep black cherry ruby with black reflections and cherry rim. The bouquet is intense, and rather smoky, with some brambly hazelnut accents, and a fair amount of well-wet leather as well, and some underbrush. On the palate it's medium bodied, with fairly rich bright cherry fruit supported by lively cherry acidity, and by tannins that are smooth and have a slight burr, and flow into a fairly bright fresh cherry prune finish with tannic underpinning. Pleasing in a direct rather cheeky key, and will drink well with grilled meats or roasts; it will also be nice with a steak and would be a good, though substantial bet for a cookout.
2 stars

Vegni Medaglini

Vegni Medaglini Cerro dei Locchi Rosso di Montecucco DOC 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and garnet rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with spicy smoky notes mingled with some bell pepper accents and underlying forest berry fruit. On the palate it's ample and rather languid, with moderately intense prune cherry fruit supported by some brambly greenish acidity and by tannins that have a warm cedar overlay and flow into a fairly long greenish finish.
1 star

Vegni Medaglini Addobbo Sangiovese di Montecucco DOC 2006
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is moderately intense, with greenish accents and some spice, but not much fruit. On the palate it's a little richer than the nose suggests, with moderately intense berry fruit supported by spice and some acidity, and by a degree of sweetness, while the tannins are fairly dusty, and flow into a clean dusky finish. It's pleasant enough, but a bit settled, and I'd have lived more verve and depth to the fruit, and greater acidity, which would keep things on its toes. It feels as if the potential is there, but doesn't quite reach far enough.
1 star