The 2001 Montiano, 100% Merlot, offers the luxuriously sweet and expansive nose which has always characterized the wine. Full of plum, raspberry, and dark chocolate scents, along with a dense, deep, and velvety palate, it is full and round, with the super-polished tannins which make it one of Italy’s touchstone Merlot bottlings. Drink: 2005-2018. DT

Gorgeous aromas of blackberry, coffee, and currant follow through to a full-bodied palate, with velvety tannins and a ripe fruit finish. Very good indeed. Pure Merlot. A solid Montiano, though I like the 2000 better. James Suckling