Castellana

2008

Montepulciano D’Abruzzo

Montepulciano

Appearance: Between dark ruby and rich burgundy.

Nose: This is going to sound strange. When I was a kid I lived a few miles a away from a quarry. When they would

do some blasting it would push up an aroma into the air that it un forgettable. There was the smell of dynamite or ammonium nitrate but behind that was the smell of pulverized stone and an earthen aroma like old deep dug potting soil. It smelled like time and history. Like winter spring summer and fall all wrapped up into one. That’s what this wine smell of.

Palate: This wine is rich in fruit and spice. Like pomegranate meets Cajun kitchen. I have been enjoying this same bottle for over two hours now. It comes straight out of the bottle a bit spikey and pepper forward. But as its sits and decants (1 hour) it calms to a smooth and super enjoyable wine. Earth, pepper, red and black currents, and slate stone with some Pennsylvania clay.

Finish: Finish is warm and reassuring. Reassuring you of a good purchase. Which is good in my case being I bought 3 cases. It has some viscosity to the back end that slides into a smooth red fruit rich tartness that hangs around for far longer than you would expect. This wine leaves you with a touch of refreshment as its old world charm meets its crowed pleasing personality.

Overall: Some of you will be familiars with this wine. You had it today at my wedding. It is never a easy task trying to pick a wine that will please everyone without breaking the bank. Some may be turned of by its spice and I am sorry for that. But with time open this wine chills to be an absolutely incredible wine for its price tag. It hits all the marks of my expectations. It has a great quality for price ratio, It is soundly made, its not boring, and most importantly its not what everyone else told me to serve at my wedding.