Winemaker Notes
34% Sangiovese, 33% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2010 Vitiano Rosso shows excellent balance with less of the overripe character that has been a signature of past vintages. Dark red fruit, roasted coffee beans, spices and mocha are some of the aromas and flavors that emerge from this fleshy, generous Vitiano Rosso. The fruit is beautifully layered all the way through to the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2016.
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Wine Enthusiast
You can't beat this low price. No wonder Vitiano is a constant feature on wine lists at restaurants across Rome. This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese offers spicy oak notes, with suggestions of ripe cherry, blackberry and spice. Best Buy.
Italian Red Wine
While picturesque hillsides, endless coastlines and a favorable climate serve to unify the grape-growing culture of this country. The apparent never-ending world of indigenous grape varieties gives Italy an unexampled charm and allure for its red wines. From the steep inclines of the Alps to the sprawling, warm, coastal plains of the south, red grape varieties thrive throughout.
The kings of Italy, wines like Barolo and Barbaresco (made of Nebbiolo), and Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino (made of Sangiovese), as well as Amarone (mostly Corvina), play center stage for the most lauded, collected and cellar-worthy reds. Less popular but entirely deserving of as much praise are the wines made from Aglianico, Sagrantino and Nerello Mascalese.
For those accustomed to drinking New World reds, the south is the place to start. Grapes like Negroamaro or Primitvo from Puglia and Nero d’Avola from Sicily make soft, ammicable, full-bodied, fruit-dominant wines. Curious palates should be on the lookout for Cannonau (Grenache), Lagrein, Teroldego, Ruché, Freisa, Cesanese, Schiopettino, Rossese and Gaglioppo to name a few.