The Pasetti 2008 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Harimann shows evolved aromas with a powerful push of alcohol to keep the wine moving heartily over the palate. It registers a 15.5% alcohol content, and you feel it in full. The bouquet reveals aged aromas of dried fruit and prune with dark spice, leather and cured tobacco. This Riserva ages in oak barrique for a long 24 months and would match up well to a lamb ragù over spaghetti. This vintage doesn't show the balance or precision I'd like to see, but it does offer a very authentic portrait of aged Montepulciano. Some 8,000 bottles were made.

Brawny and ambitious, with layers of sweet baking spices, toasty oak and spice cake to the rich plum sauce, grilled fig and cassis notes that fight off firm tannins on the leather-tinged finish. Drink now. 10 cases imported.??–NW??Region: Italy / Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Select to Add