PIEVE DEL VESCOVO LUCCIAIO - 2002

This Italian Super Tuscan is a blend of 45% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Sangiovese.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark purple color with musty fig and black fruit on the nose. Mouth drying tannins with smooth black fruit flavors, plum, hints of leather and cherry.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS

A well made wine from Umbria but its flavors and aromas are withdrawn. I found this red to be too subdued. The intial nose is very promising and I was hoping it would open up and develop more but it just never seemed to quite get there. It definitely has all the right elements to cellar for awhile, but I'm not convinced this will blossom with age. Enjoyable, but for $18 a bottle I think there are more interesting Italian blends worth exploring.