2008 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

The 2008 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Vecchie Vigne pulls me close to the glass with depths of crushed raspberries, dusty dried flowers, clove and a lifting hint of mint. It’s round, almost fleshy in feel, yet full of energy as citrus-tinged red berries, plum and inner rose tones are carried across a jolting core of sultry minerals and zesty acids. The 2008 resonates with a saturation of dark fruits, spices, tobacco and licorice tones throughout the long and dramatic finale where subtly grippy tannins pinch at the cheeks. Wow, this child of a warm vintage is on full display today, but has many years of further pleasure to give.