I still remember how 20 years ago I listened with curiosity to Riccardo Cotarella’s thesis on merlot as a grape capable of convey in the wine a terroir of origin faithful image. I did not agree with such ideas, but I recognized his determination and transparency in carrying them forward. Consistent with this belief, Professor Cotarella has inserted, in 40 years of distinguished career as an oenologist, the Merlot grape, pure or in blend, in many of the most illustrious wines he created. That is why, in the light of this, writing about Montiano, the Cotarella Family top line Merlot, means for me comparing with the summa of Cotarella-thought, its programmatic manifesto.
Born in 1993, this wine originates from a vineyard located in Montefiascone (Castiglione in Teverina), in the far north of Lazio, on a terrain of volcanic origin, rich in skeleton. After a maceration on the skins and the bleeding of about 20%, the masses undergo malolactic fermentation and then age for 12 months in new barriques.
In the glass this 2005 vintage still shows vitality which translates into a beautiful intense and impenetrable ruby color, with hints of cooked plum, black cherry jam and tomato concentrate, followed by the spicy side with the wood which has now integrated with sweet spices, balsamic hints, an allure of dark resin (almost amber) and hints hematic-ferrous. The mouthfeel is still lively and throbbing : the wine literally invades the oral cavity, conquering it with a glycerine still fleshy, balanced by a nice acidity and tannin now sweet and refined, with a very long closing.
Rating: 95/100
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