La Carraia Montepulciano 'Tizzonero' 2002

Tizzonero derives from the local name for charcoal, referring both to the soil and the deep color of the wine. Many experiments have led Riccardo Cotarella to create this wine, an intense and complex example of the Montepulciano grape. The vines were planted in 1997 on volcanic and stony soils. A manual harvest takes place in October, after which there is a soft pressing and 20 days of skin contact. The wine ages six months in Nevers and Alliers barriques, then refines six months in bottle. La Carraia was founded in 1976 by the Gialletti and Cotarella families. Riccardo Cotarella, respected throughout read more...Italy and abroad as a leading authority in the production and marketing of Italian wines, is the winemaker at this estate. La Carraia began producing bulk wines for top of the line estates such as Ruffino and Rocca delle Macie. Today the winery owns a total of 198 acres located in the heart of the Orvieto Classico production area. 172 acres are dedicated to the production of Orvieto Classico, the remainder to Merlot. 1995 marked the first production of Poggio Calvelli, a joint venture between La Carraia and Winebow in which a new style of Orvieto Classico aged in small oak barrels was developed.    (hide)

Rating: 91/100 - As reviewed by Wine Spectator