“Montiano” Merlot Lazio IGP 2021

Famiglia Cotarella / Falesco | Tenuta Montiano | Latium
Famiglia Cotarella s.r.l. | Loc. San Pietro | IT 05020 Montecchio

10022221 · 0,75 l · 78,67 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shippingavailable immediately

For some years now, Riccardo Cotarella's Montiano has been characterised by great freshness and dark, concentrated fruit. In contrast to the vintages of the early 1990s, the wine has become much livelier and more dynamic. And the 2021 vintage brings a new nuance to this characterful Merlot: riper, denser and finer at the same time. The climatic conditions – an early summer temperature rise followed by cooler evening hours – allowed for slow, even ripening with perfect concentration levels. As always, the Montefiascone region delivers mineral-structured fruit and precise floral components.

Deep ruby colour with a violet rim in the glass. The nose reveals intense aromas of black cherry, ripe blueberry, dark cocoa, tobacco leaf, violets and a hint of mocha. On the palate, the wine is even more energetic and compact than its predecessor: dense, juicy, with finely honed tannins and clear acidity. The ageing in barriques remains discreetly integrated, lending depth and a harmonious texture without overloading. Montiano 2021 is subtle, round and multi-layered – with expressive fruit depth, character and ageing potential – stylish, powerful and elegant at the same time. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark ruby red with a violet-coloured core. Ripe blackberries, blueberries and black elderberries on the nose, underlaid with cedar and leather. A very fruity entry on the palate with a pleasant juiciness and a spicy finish, the grippy tannins are well integrated." Falstaff

"This wine is really intense, with pencil shavings, graphite, violet fruit and violets on the nose. Medium-bodied, refined and very polished, with mineral and basaltic undertones. Just a hint of wood on the finish. Already very nice, but even better in a year or two." James Suckling

"Fragrant and enticing, with warm spice and dried flower aromas accenting flavours of baked black cherry and cured tobacco, as well as hints of dark chocolate and black licorice. This wine is supple and well blended, with a slightly dark, brooding note coupled with fresh focus and length. Supple tannins firm up the finish." Wine Spectator

"The Montiano 2021 is intense from the very first swirl of the glass. It smells of cedar wood shavings, cloves and cocoa before giving way to dried blueberries and sage. The palate reveals pure elegance, velvety smooth yet with a cool acidity and a mix of red and black fruits that slowly saturate towards the end. The 2021 tapers off with superb length and concentration, leaving grippy tannins and a pleasing note of blackberry and dark chocolate that tickles the cheeks. This is a wonderfully refined Montiano that integrates the oak well." Vinous