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Reds from Italy — Marche...Sardegna

Marche
In the past, this Adriatic region has been better known for the white wines it's produced, but the quality of its red wines is increasing every year. Montepulciano and Sangiovese are the grapes of choice, often fashioned in a modern style with the assistance of Cabernet and Merlot.
           
Arshura Walter Mattoni Catorano Montepulciano 2006 70
Boranico Alberto Serenelli Ancona Merlot/Montepulciano 2001 80
Camerte La Monacesca Potenza Picena Sangiovese Grosso/Merlot 2001 77
Kurni Oasi degli Angeli Cupra Marittima Montepulciano 2004 180
Kurni Oasi degli Angeli Cupra Marittima Montepulciano 2005 180
Kurni, Magnum Oasi degli Angeli Cupra Marittima Montepulciano 2005 375
Pelago Umani Ronchi Osimo Cabernet Sauvignon/Montepulciano/Merlot 1996 68
Regina del Bosco Remo Dezi Servigliano Montepulciano 2000 60
Trimplin Selvagrossa Pesaro Sangiovese 2005 55
Varano Alberto Serenelli Ancona Montepulciano 1999 90
Abruzzo
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Without a doubt, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is the most important example of this varietal. However, lack of direction has been a persistent problem. Consequently, this wine can be all over the map. From insipid or rustic to massive and very focused, from very inexpensive to very expensive, navigating through the production of this wine can be challenging. A new appellation, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane, recently emerged close to the Adriatic Sea in the Teramo hills, and is expected to deliver a distinctive new style of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo.
           
Dante Marramiero Marraniero Masseria S.Andrea Montepulciano 1998 130
           
Zanna, Vecchio Dino Illuminati Controguerra Montepulciano 1985 140
Zanna, Vecchio Dino Illuminati Controguerra Montepulciano 1987 120
Zanna, Vecchio Dino Illuminati Controguerra Montepulciano 1988 120
Zanna, Vecchio Dino Illuminati Controguerra Montepulciano 1991 130
Zanna, Riserva Dino Illuminati Controguerra Montepulciano 2000 90
Zanna, Riserva Dino Illuminati Controguerra Montepulciano 2003 82
           
Lumen, Riserva Dino Illuminati Controguerra Montepulcino/Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 85
           
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane
           
Az. Agricola Centorame Castellum Vetus Casoli di Atri Montepulciano 2003 75
Pieluni Dino Illuminati Controguerra Montepulciano 2001 117
Molise
           
Don Luigi Di Majo Norante Campomarino Montepulciano 2000 55
Lazio
In spite of the fact that most of the production of this region is devoted to white wines, the most interesting wines are reds made with Cabernet and Merlot. Giacché is an ancient varietal that disappeared for many years, but was recently rediscovered and is producing excellent results.
           
Montiano Falesco Montefiascone Merlot 1998 95
Giacché Rosso Casale Cento Corvi Cerveteri Giacché 2004 100
Umbria
The most exciting wines from this landlocked region come from the town of Montefalco. Thanks to the hard work and perseverance of Marco Caprai, the reputation of the local varietal, Sagrantino, has been restored to the highest level of its history. Sagrantino is a strong, tannic grape that requires a good dose of oak and plenty of aging to smooth the intense tannins and jammy character. Today, Caprai is the benchmark for Sagrantino, producing magnificent, intense red wines with a polished and more elegant structure. In the southern part of the region, near the border of Lazio, Riccardo Cotarella is producing modern and very focused wines with an International twist. Another personal favorite is in the town of Amelia, where the small estate of Castello delle Regine's Merlot is setting very high standards for the varietal.
 

Montefalco Rosso

 
Perticaia Montefalco Sangiovese/Sagrantino/Colorino/Merlot 2004 44
Sagrantino di Montefalco
         
Paolo Bea Montefalco Sagrantino 2001 150
         
Arnaldo Caprai 3 Liter   Montefalco Sagrantino 1995 300
Arnaldo Caprai Collepiano Montefalco Sagrantino 2004 90
Arnaldo Caprai 25 Anni Montefalco Sagrantino 1993 210
Arnaldo Caprai 25 Anni Montefalco Sagrantino 1997 200
Arnaldo Caprai 25 Anni Montefalco Sagrantino 1998 180
Arnaldo Caprai 25 Anni Montefalco Sagrantino 2000 185
Arnaldo Caprai 25 Anni Montefalco Sagrantino 2001 190
Arnaldo Caprai 25 Anni Montefalco Sagrantino 2003 180
Arnaldo Caprai 25 Anni Montefalco Sagrantino 2004 180
           
Martinelli   Bevagna Sagrantino 2004 90
Perticaia   Montefalco Sagrantino 2003 90
Other Umbrian wines
           
Campoleone La Fiorita Lamborghini Panicale Sangiovese/Merlot 2004 110
Marciliano Falesco Montecchio Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc 2003 85
Merlot Castello delle Regine Amelia Merlot 2000 110
Rosso Outsider Arnaldo Caprai Montefalco Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2000 140
Rosso Outsider Arnaldo Caprai Montefalco Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2001 135
Villa Fidelia Sportoletti Spella Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc 2004 100
Villa Fidelia, Magnum Sportoletti Spella Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc 2004 240
Campania
Aglianico, the noble grape of the south, is produced in several regions with great success. Its best interpretation is found in the zone around the commune of Taurasi. The Mastroberardino family deserves credit for discovering that grapes planted in the upper slopes of Irpinia would deliver a better wine, which is how Taurasi was conceived. There are several Aglianico appellations, but the success of this varietal begins and ends with Taurasi. The wines are rich, with loads of dark fruit like plum, raspberry and blackberry, with hints of leather, coffee and tobacco. As in many other parts of the country, new oak found its way into the area, and an appropriate dosage will smooth out the wine and soften Aglianico's tannins.
Taurasi
           
Antonio Caggiano Macchia dei Goti Taurasi Aglianico 2001 93
Mastroberardino Radici, Riserva Altrapada Aglianico 1999 135
Salvatore Molettieri Cinque Quercie Montemarano Aglianico 2000 80
Terradora di Paolo Fatica Contadina Montefusco Aglianico 2000 80
Other wines from Campania
           
Furore Rosso Costa d'Amalfi Furore Piedirosso/Aglianico 2000 85
Montevetrano Silvia Imparato S. Cipriano Picentino Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Aglianico 1998 150
Montevetrano Silvia Imparato S. Cipriano Picentino Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Aglianico 1999 140
Montevetrano Silvia Imparato S. Cipriano Picentino Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Aglianico 2004 200
Naima Viticoltori de Concilis Paestum Aglianico 2004 85
Naima, Magnum Viticoltori de Concilis Paestum Aglianico 2003 390
Patrimo Feudi di San Gregorio Sorbo Serpico Merlot 2001 190
Serpico Feudi di San Gregorio Sorbo Serpico Aglianico/Pedirosso/Sangiovese 2001 200
Serpico Feudi di San Gregorio Sorbo Serpico Aglianico/Pedirosso/Sangiovese 2003 175
Syriacus Feudi di San Grgorio Sorbo Serpico Syrah/Aglianico 1998 190
Terra di Lavoro Fontana Galardi Sessa Aurunca Aglianico/Pedirosso/Merlot 2000 160
Terra di Lavoro Fontana Galardi Sessa Aurunca Aglianico/Pedirosso/Merlot 2001 185
Terra di Lavoro Fontana Galardi Sessa Aurunca Aglianico/Pedirosso/Merlot 2004 225
Puglia
The Negroamaro grape, grown on traditional bush-trained vines in the Salento peninsula, provides Puglia's best wines. Grape cultivation has always been focused on large production of cheap and often tired, tannic wines, but recent changes and investments in the cellars have helped to raise the bar. The success of Zinfandel in California (known to be Primitivo's sibling) may have spurred local growers to make Zinfandel-like wines.
           
Cacc'e Mmitte di Lucera Alberto Longo Lucera Uva di Troia/Montepulciano/Bombino 2005 75
Negroamaro La Corte Novoli Negroamaro 2002 50
Platone Albano Carrisi Cellino San Marco Negroamaro/Primitivo 1998 115
Patriglione Cosimo Taurino Guagnano Negroamaro/Malvasia Nera 1993 120
Re', Salento La Corte Novoli Primitivo/Negroamaro 2003 95
Salice Salentino 3 Liter Cosimo Taurino Guagnano Negroamaro/Malvasia Nera 1996 250
Sum Torreguaceto Accademia dei Racemi Manduria Sussumaniello 2003 45

Basilicata
           
Aglianico del Vulture
           
Titolo, Magnum Elena Fucci Barile Aglianico 2003 210
Titolo Elena Fucci Barile Aglianico 2004 95
Calabria
Gaglioppo is the native varietal of this region used for the production of Ciro', the most famous of its wines. The leading producer, the Librandi family, has recently resurrected another native grape called Magliocco with very good results.
           
Magno Megonio Cantine Librandi Ciro' Marina Magliocco 2003 70
Sicilia
Sicily was perhaps the first of the southern regions to ignite the wine revolution that has drastically changed the landscape of southern Italian wines. Rich with native varietals, from the most popular Nero d'Avola to Frappato, Perricone, and Nerello Mascalese, producers are now working very diligently to respect these native grapes while setting new standards in research and development of the land.
           
Cerasuolo di Vittoria Planeta Menfi Frappato/Nero d'Avola 2006 50
Duca di Montalbo Az. Agr. Milazzo Campobello di Licata Nero d'Avola/Nero Cappuccio/Inzolia Rosa 2001 105
Faro Palari S. Stefano Briga Nerello Mascalese/Nero Cappuccio/Nocera 2001 105
Franchetti Tenuta di Passopisciaro Passopisciaro Petit Verdot/Cesanese 2005 190
Feudo di Mezzo Terre Nere Randazzo Nerello Mascalese/Nero Cappuccio 2005 73
Harmonium Firriato Paceco Nero d'Avola 2003 95
Nero San Lore' Gulfi Chiaramonte Gulfi Nero d'Avola 2003 75
Passopisciaro Tenuta di Passopisciaro Passopisciaro Nerello Mascalese 2005 60
Rosso del Conte Regaleali Sclafani Bagni Perricone/Nero d'Avola 2002 85
Syrah Planeta Menfi Syrah 2004 75
Vrucara Feudo Montoni Cammarata Nero d'Avola 2005 85
Sardegna
Grapes of Spanish origin, like Monica, Cannonau and Carignano dominate the production of the island. Antonio Argiolas is the producer that is clearly setting the standards with polished wines that respect the terroir. Santadi has recently joined forces with famed Sassicaia producer, Tenuta San Guido, to produce a modern-styled wine called Barrua.
           
Barrua Agricola Punica Santadi Carignano/Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2003 95
Korem Argiolas Serdiana BovaleSardo/Carignano/Cannonau/Syrah/Merlot 2002 75
Terre Brune Santadi Santadi Carignano/Bovaleddu 2001 115
Turriga Argiolas Serdiana Cannonau/ Carignano/Bovale Sardo 2002 130

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