This wine has a wonderful, deep, intense ruby red colour with important, solid, and wide organoleptic qualities, but above all it exalts the food it is combined with. It is very rich in polyphenols which harmonize with its fresh, tasty acidity. It is versatile red, quite innovative in style which can be appreciated immediately. It adapts easily to various dishes and can be drunk litghtheartedly drawing great pleasure from the sharp fragrance of its perfumes and its straightforward character. It should be drunk in wide crystal chalices where it can best develop its bouquet at a temperature of 18-19°C.

Rating

Wine Advocate 89 points A terrific bargain in dry red is the 2005 Vitiano Rosso, a blend of nearly equal parts Sangiovese, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in barrels for a short time, it exhibits a deep ruby/purple color, a rich bouquet of black cherry jam, licorice, tobacco leaf, and spice box, surprising density, and medium body. As I have written before, it’s almost too good to believe at this price. It should be drunk within 2-3 years of release. Kudos to Riccardo and Renzo Cotarella for continuing to deliver remarkable wines at these prices. —Robert Parker

Wine maker notes

A blend of 33% Merlot, 33% Cabernet and 34% Sangiovese grapes grown in the region of Umbria. Vitiano is vinified in stainless steel tanks and aged in Nevers barrels for 3 months before being bottled. This is a young red wine with explosive, luscious aromas. The wine has a wonderful deep, ruby red color with a wide range of organoleptic qualities. It is rich in polyphenols and balanced acidity. This versatile red is at it's best in its youth when the fresh fruit character is most evident. Vitiano is a perennial value.

Technical notes

Merlot 33%, Cabernet 33%, Sangiovese 34%