The single-vineyard 2004 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo San Calisto is made from 35-year old vines and is aged in French oak. It is a beautifully layered wine with supple, silky tannins that frame perfumed notes of dark fruit, toasted oak, cocoa and chocolate. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2019. Valle Reale is one my favorite producers in Abruzzo. The estate occupies a spectacular position between two national parks. The unique micro-climate of these hills and the relatively high altitude of the vineyards means grapes mature gradually, as the growing season is long. Notes on some of the estate’s value-priced wines can be found in my Best Buys from Italy article available at www.erobertparker.com.
Importer: Winebow, Hohokus, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620
