4 | Wine | 91 to 95 | Page 135

This wine was named #94 of Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2012.

"Taut and structured, with cedar-laced currant, dark berry and dried berry notes joining a mix of minerally fresh earth and tobacco flavors, offering a wide range of tight-knit fruit overall. Firmly tannic on the finish, yet the ripe purity pushes through. True to form Monte Bello in a classic style."

"Richly sweet, delivering unctuous dried apricot, mango, orange peel and tangerine notes carried on a lush, creamy, apple-tinged frame, with nice drive through the powerful finish."

"A glass-staining opaque purple, it offers up a splendid bouquet of sandalwood, Asian spices, incense, black cherry, and blackberry. Dense, layered, and long, this packed effort has enough structure to evolve for another 4-6 years."

"Robust and potent, offering ripe, dense blackberry, licorice, lead pencil, cedar and roasted herb flavors that are full-bodied and concentrated, all the while holding onto a tight focus and ending with a long, chewy, persistent finish."

"Light, bright gold. High-pitched citrus zest and Anjou pear aromas are complicated by jasmine, honey and sea salt. Sappy and precise, offering vibrant lemon, orange and floral flavors and an exotic touch of iodine. Shows a suave blend of power and vivacity and finishes with excellent clarity, cut and lingering florality."

"The 2009 Torrione impresses for its sensual inner perfume, silky tannins and gracious overall balance. Sweet red cherries, strawberry jam, crushed flowers, herbs and spices meld together in this tasty red. Torrione isn’t the great bargain it once was, but is still a great introduction to the wines of Petrolo. This medium-bodied, feminine Sangiovese-based red is best enjoyed over the next 5-7 years, while the fruit is vibrant."

"The 2007 Camarcanda is a rich, deep wine loaded with dark red fruit, espresso, mocha, licorice and tar. This is a decidedly more full-bodied effort, with superb depth, textural richness and body."

"The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes, which is only available in the United States, is fashioned from Grenache vines planted in 1905, and is aged in both tank and small barrels. It exhibits a dense ruby/purple hue along with notes of licorice, kirsch liqueur, earth, truffles, forest floor, underbrush, raspberry, licorice and graphite. Full-bodied, powerful and rich, it should age effortlessly for 15-20 years." -Robert Parker

"Stony peach and pear aromas are complicated by smoked meat and Asian spices. Round and filled in, with admirably deep pit fruit flavors, a pliant texture and a fresh mineral kick on the finish. Leaves a strong pear impression on the palate and an echo of minerals."

"The 2010 Pinot Noir La Neblina is a gorgeous wine laced with expressive dark red cherries, flowers, licorice and sweet spices. It shows gorgeous depth and radiance in its fruit. Bright floral notes and an underpinning of vibrant minerality give the wine considerable lift and brightness. Freshly cut flowers, mint and sweet roses frame an energetic finish layered with distinctly saline notes. This is a fabulous showing."