One of the more gorgeous young wines I’ve had in recent memory: so ITALIAN, so grimy and granular, but with almost Barolo- or Amarone-style ripeness churning the fruit along. No old-world funk exists in it though… it is all dark, impenetrable blackness and heady alcoholic, concentrated modernity. A generous decant is recommended, as it contains a backbone clearly aiming for several decades of age–a backbone difficult to wipe your mouth free of. Acrid briar in the nose actually runs cool and calming, but with plenty of fore-shadowing magnanimity drawing from a deep pool of blood-like savory. In the mouth, the veinous comparisons continue, as it courses unapologetically straight into your core: an injection of chalky grandeur positively paralyzed with plump berry and stony girth. It lays down unforgettable tracks of vegetal velvet all topped by a not-over-the-top cherry of Luxardo-like luxury. Not a super-expensive wine: I recommend finding it and buying as much as you can afford. Interestingly… nearly every vintage of this wine is on their sheet of glowing scores and awards EXCEPT this one. Perhaps a classic Wine 1 Percent moment? Perhaps why I love it so much? You should pay attention.

2020 IL CONTE VILLA PRANDONE ‘Lu Kont’ Montepulciano Marche Rosso IGP 14.5

https://ilcontevini.it/en/