1999 Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Villa Gemma

The 1999 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Villa Gemma is theoretically the top wine in the line, but 1999 was a problematic vintage on the Adriatic coast and the difficulties are perceptible in the wine. The plum fruit on the nose is less sweet than in better vintages, the game and leather notes are too dominant, and the well concentrated flavors are less velvety and caressing than unusual. A wine that more than holds its own, but not the usual powerhouse. Drink: 2006-2014. Importer: Masciarelli, Weymouth, MA; tel. (781) 335-6620