Tolaini Picconero Tenuta Montebello | 2015 | 750 ml.

RP95 Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate 19th Sep 2019

"The 2015 Picconero Tenuta Montebello is a blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Franc that pours out lots of dark fruit and plum. This is a very nice, juicy and balanced wine with good thickness, a great match for iron steak and blue cheese butter sauce. In general, I’ve found these wines from Tolini to be top notch, with succulent tones of ripe fruit and pretty intensity. This one is at the top of the pyramid, and I’m guessing 2016 in particular could be even better. They released about 9,000 bottles of this vintage." (95 pts.)

VN90 Vinous Mar 2020

"The 2015 Picconero, 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, is powerful and super-concentrated in feel. Dark fruit, chocolate, mocha, leather, licorice and smoke flavors abound. I admire the wine’s depth and overall persistence, even if the tannins are likely to always be equally prominent. This is a decidedly heavily-extracted style. It is possible the formidable tannins will soften in time." (90 pts.)

JS93 JamesSuckling.com Thursday, November 7, 2019

"Aromas of violets, lavender and blackberries follow through to a full body with firm and chewy tannins. A lot of wood showing now, but will come together with age. Try after 2021." (93 pts.)

SP93 Wine Spectator Oct 15, 2019

"Packed with sweet, ripe blackberry and blueberry fruit, this red is lush and polished, accented by rosemary, thyme, graphite and oak spice notes. Dusty tannins line the finish. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2021 through 2033. 800 cases made, 150 cases imported." (93 pts.)