2017 Estate Monepulciano - Pelletiere Estate Winery

Dusty red plum, rose petal, raspberry puree. Bruised red cherry, tomato leaf, strawberry glaze. Fresh basil and chopped parsley, saddle leather and rust. Beautifully tart, bright, and dirty fruit sings with restraint and purity, showcasing baked red currant and ruby grapefruit pith that is somehow powerful yet not the slightest bit imposing. Savory spice and fresh garden herbs assert themselves behind gorgeous fruit, hinting at oregano, cardamom, and green tea. A subtle yet sophisticated floral note emerges but is largely disguised behind earthy minerality and textbook Paso limestone character. Multidimensional and extraordinarily interesting, with a wide breadth of complex flavors that manages to drink miraculously lean thanks to wonderful acidity. This 2017 Estate Montepulciano by Pelletiere Estate Winery is a remarkably impressive Italian red from Paso Robles.

Montepulciano is a late-ripening dark skinned grape variety likely native to region of Tuscany in central Italy. It is thought to be closely related to Sangiovese and is in fact the second most widely planted red wine grape in Italy behind only Sangiovese. In its homeland it is known as a food-friendly wine as its herbal and earthy flavors often complement tomato based Italian dishes, however it can also be made in more contemplative styles. This bottling, crafted by Pelletiere Estate Winery using Montepulciano grown in their estate vineyard in the Willow Creek District, is a tremendous achievement for this classic grape. This wine is remarkably balanced and fresh, with delicious botanical and earthy characteristics supporting a beautiful bouquet of fruit. It is serious yet non-pretentious and comes together without a single sharp edge. This is an extremely delicious wine that begs the question why Italian grapes are not more widely planted in Paso Robles.