2015 Valle Reale "San Calisto" Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

93 Points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "This wine draws fruit from the estate's Vigna Storica del 1952. With more smoke and savory notes that recall leather and spice, this might be your go-to for marinated tri-tip and a baked potato. The Valle Reale 2015 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo San Calisto is a complete, classic wine with generous, soft tannins. It offers a medium-term drinking window: not too long and not too short. Grapes come from the San Calisto vineyard, which has a traditional overhead trellising system, or pergola. The wine is fermented and aged in large oak casks. A mere 6,108 bottles were made." (4/9/2020)

92 Points Vinous: "Moderately saturated bright ruby. Aromas and flavors of flint, black currant and musk. Juicy and lively in the mouth, where more musky and peppery nuances complicate the blue fruit flavors. Finishes long with rising, youthfully chewy tannins. This will be released for sale in late fall 2019, and is the last vintage made of San Calisto, as the vineyard was uprooted in 2017 and 2018 because of esca disease. Aged in old 700-liter tonneaux for 12 months." (07/2019)