Montevetrano, Azienda Agricola Montevetrano 2006

The 2006 Montevetrano, a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend from Campania in Southern Italy. It was a little reticent to begin, but opened out after about 30 minutes to reveal a wonderfully opulent exotic-spiced (star anise, cassia, fenugreek), preserved plums and dried mulberries nose. The palate was actually tauter and more muscular than the hedonistically scented nose suggested, possessing a medium body and rather chewy tannins, which seemed more akin to Sangiovese than Cabernet.