Praesidium Montepulciano d"Abruzzo Riserva 2018

The 2017 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva is a cool character with black currants and musky plums complemented by sweet tobacco, balsamic spice and stone dust. This is elegant and velvety in feel and supremely soft-natured; vibrant acidity that adds finesse, even as masses of tart red fruits wash across the palate, leaving a staining of minerality in their wake. While structured through the finale, the tannins are sweet and round, creating a grippy yet still fresh and balanced impression.

A bitter touch of savory herbs adds a pleasant punctuation. Praesidium did an excellent job of dealing with the warm and dry vintage here.