This Piceno is 60% montepulciano and 40% sangiovese, so I guess it's more properly labeled a montepulciano blend than a sangiovese blend. It also has little overt resemblance to a sangiovese-based wine (IMHO), so why call it that? Bubble bubble toil and trouble. Ruby red on the pour, it's initially a little reductive and almost rubbery, but opens after awhile with a leathery and bosky berry nose and flavors. It maintains a leathery and varnish like profile that's borderline feral and engaging, like a barely adequately deodorized underarm, sweaty and slightly sweet. I know that isn't exactly a description that will endear itself to many people, but believe me, it works. Not a chance I would have called this sangiovese blind, but on the other hand, it's not as overtly nasty (I like this kind of nasty) as some montepulcianio. The label says (sic) "This Rosso Piceno Superiore is aged for two years in the cellar, one year of which light wine that is perfectly suited is in the bottle." Ok, now I get it.
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4/5/2009 - bevetroppo wrote: 88 Points
This Piceno is 60% montepulciano and 40% sangiovese, so I guess it's more properly labeled a montepulciano blend than a sangiovese blend. It also has little overt resemblance to a sangiovese-based wine (IMHO), so why call it that? Bubble bubble toil and trouble. Ruby red on the pour, it's initially a little reductive and almost rubbery, but opens after awhile with a leathery and bosky berry nose and flavors. It maintains a leathery and varnish like profile that's borderline feral and engaging, like a barely adequately deodorized underarm, sweaty and slightly sweet. I know that isn't exactly a description that will endear itself to many people, but believe me, it works. Not a chance I would have called this sangiovese blind, but on the other hand, it's not as overtly nasty (I like this kind of nasty) as some montepulcianio. The label says (sic) "This Rosso Piceno Superiore is aged for two years in the cellar, one year of which light wine that is perfectly suited is in the bottle." Ok, now I get it.
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