Montevetrano takes its name from a medieval castle dating back to Roman times.Formerly owned by the French Bourbons, the estate itself was the inspiration for this blend of French varieties Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with the Campania king of the red grapes - Aglianico.Montevetrano is one of the most sought after wines from Italy, delighting dozens of wine lovers around the world with its distinctive character and rich spectrum of flavors.This wine has been getting Tre Bicchiere in the Gambero Rosso for 24 years in a row.
Vintage 2014 is deep ruby red in color, aromas of blackberry and spice complement the undertones of blackcurrant, liquorice, tobacco, earth and leather. On the palate, Montevetrano is full-bodied, yet elegant with a rich, silky texture. The wine ends fresh, juicy and gripping, with a strong salty nuance, fine-grained tannins and great length. A beauty now but will only get more beautiful as the wine ages.
Between the end of September and the beginning of October, Montevetrano first harvests the Merlot grape, followed by the Cabernet Sauvignon and finally the Aglianico. Fermentation initially takes place in steel barrels for about 15 days, after which the wine is transferred to new French oak barrels for 12-14 months. The process is traditional but also strictly controlled, which guarantees good refinement and balanced maturation. The process also ensures that the grapes retain the typical regional characteristics of Montevetrano. Cotarella, the winemaker, is particularly proud of this wine, the very first icon wine he created; he considers it the father of his red wines.