Montevetrano Colli di Salerno IGT 2010 750ml

Wine Advocate #205 Feb 2013
The 2010 Montevetrano is flat-out gorgeous. Vibrant, floral aromatics lead to layers of beautifully delineated fruit in this finely sculpted chiseled Montevetrano. A wine of extraordinary beauty, the 2010 impresses for its clarity and nuance. I don’t think I have ever tasted a young Montevetrano with this much pure silkiness and finesse. There is a level of precision and delineation in the 2010 that is truly marvelous. I can’t wait to see how it ages. The 2010 is also notable for a much higher percentage of Aglianico (30%) than has been common in the past, while the international varieties are less prominent in the blend. In 2010 Montevetrano is 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Aglianico and 20% Merlot, which means the Cabernet Sauvignon now plays a much smaller role in the blend. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030.

Proprietress Silvia Imparato indulged in wine as a hobby until she decided to rebuild her family's vineyards in Montevetrano. She employed the skills of highly regarded winemaker Riccardo Cotarella and they have created an outstanding icon wine from the often underestimated region of Campania. Montevetrano is a small zone in the hills near the commune of San Cipriano Picentino, not far from Salerno. The property is surrounded by mountains, but the vineyards are situated on gentle slopes facing south by southwest. The heart of the estate is a beautiful, ancient villa. The basement of the villa also served as the cellar in the first years of production. Now the wine is made and stored in a new modern cellar built in 2000. The old cellar is now used privately by Silvia and her friends. Within a very short period of time Cotarella and Imparato have produced an absolute jewel in this location. Cotarella is particularly proud of this wine; being the very first and most special icon wine he made, he considers it "The Father" of his reds.

Meats, Beef and Venison