The 2006 Monteti sparkles on the palate with beautifully articulated dark fruit, rosemary, mint and French oak. This is a somewhat understated 2006 from the Tuscan coast that relies more on elegance than sheer power, and there is no shortage of finesse here. This continues to gain weight and density in the glass, though, and my impression is that it will develop into a rather muscular wine even if today it is somewhat closed in on itself. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2026. 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 thick, juicy, inky wine (with a large component of Petit Verdot) would pair with aged cheese or pecorino. The wine is still young (let it age five more years) with firm, sticky tannins and loads of blackberry and plum cake on the long finish. ——M.L.(2/1/2012)—— 92