Villa Medoro 2006 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Very dark cherry red color, some petillance.

Cherry preserves and pesto smells.

Robust fruits and herbs flavor, big flavor, food-friendly acid at the end, excellent pizza wine. At $35.99, an overpriced bottle. I ordered (and I think paid for) Villa Medoro's Rosso del Duca, but received their Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. Ah well, tastes good!

Marramiero Dama 2007 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Nearly opaque, deep purple red color.

Blackberry and black cherry smell, some oak.

Rich black cherry flavor, blackberry, blueberry. A touch of oak in the warm alcohol finish. Restrained tannins. Decidedly food-friendly.

A very nice bottle for $14.99, I approve entirely.

La Valentina 2005 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Deep purple/ruby color. Berry/cherry smell. Black cherry flavor, some blueberry, some licorice. Adequate acid to balance the fruit, rich texture, some alcohol warmth in the finish and some cleansing bitterness. Restrained tannins.

The next day the smell of fruit is more apparent, as is the berry flavor.

I’d buy this again for $13.29.