Montiano is the wine that made Falesco's name, the estate founded by brothers Riccardo and Renzo Cotarella, two of Italy's most influential winemakers. Made since the 1990s, it was one of the first great Italian Merlots and proved that Lazio too could produce reds of international standing.
The grapes come from the hills of the Viterbo area near Lake Bolsena, between Montefiascone and Castiglione in Teverina, on stony volcanic soils: tuff, lava deposits and pyroclastic debris. Pure Merlot, carefully vinified and aged in barriques.
Twenty years after the harvest the 2006 is a mature Merlot that has traded youthful power for a more complex profile: evolved black fruit, prunes, cocoa, tobacco and leather, with soft tannins. An interesting bottle for anyone curious to see how the great Italian Merlots age. With red meat, roasts, game or aged cheeses.
At a glance: Merlot 100% · 13.5% ABV · 0.75 l · Falesco Cotarella, Montefiascone (VT)
