89+(?) 2006 Poliziano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 11/21/10 ($25)
14% alc
Color: Medium deep brick garnet. (3.0) Bouquet: Stewed cherry with cedar (a little green) and dusty pistachio. (3.0) Body: Light heavyweight with excellent acidity, tannin and fruit, but cedary oak adds some bitterness. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet. Rich and tasty with power. (3.0) Finish: Smooth and long, but too much oak gets in the way. (2.5)
Overall: Nearly excellent with intensity, fruit and structure, but the green oak adds bitterness. Excellent potential, as long as the oak integrates. Poliziano is never shy on the oak, but it's a little overdone here. I was hoping for another '04 where everything was just right, but didn't get it. Oh well. Still a very enjoyable wine, preferably with food. (14.5)