The 2005 Monteti is wonderfully expressive. Today it is more open than the 2006 although I strongly suspect its younger sibling is simply shut down. Espresso, mocha and French oak are layered into a core of black fruit, grilled herbs and cassis. The 2005 is a touch slender and doesn’t have the sheer stuffing to support extended cellaring, but it remains a strikingly fresh, pure wine that is easy to enjoy today. It is a great introduction to the wines of this emerging estate. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020. Tenuta Monteti is one of the most exciting properties on the Tuscan coast. The flagship Monteti is a Cabernet Franc/Petit Verdot blend that spends 16 months in French oak and is bottled unfiltered and unfined. All three vintages I tasted were magnificent. The estate’s entry-level red. Caburnio, was reviewed in Issue 190. Various American importers, including: K & L Wine Merchants, Redwood City, CA; tel. (650) 364-8544; The Wine Company, St. Paul, MN; tel. (651) 487-1212

This red blend (with a large percentage of Petit Verdot) shows earthy, dark aromas of ripe fruit, blackberry, humus, cola and cherry liqueur. This vintage shows very nice harmony and a long, velvety finish. ——M.L.(2/1/2012)—— 92