Torre Zambra Villamagna Riserva 2018

Torre Zambra Villamagna Riserva 2018 is an intense, deeply structured Italian red wine crafted from 100% Montepulciano grapes grown in the micro-appellation of Villamagna in Abruzzo. Aged for six months in stainless steel tanks, 20 months in French oak barriques, and an additional six months in the bottle, it displays an opaque ruby-red color with dark purple highlights. The nose offers an expressive bouquet of ripe black cherry, dried plum, black olive, and crushed herbs, interwoven with complex tertiary notes of dark chocolate, tobacco, ground coffee, and leather. On the palate, it is rich, warm, and full-bodied, delivering robust blackberry fruit balanced by vibrant natural acidity and firm, tile-like tannins that extend into a long, persistent, pepper-accented finish.

Food Pairing: Pairs superbly with oven-roasted kid goat, braised beef short ribs, grilled ribeye steak, wild boar ragù, and aged hard cheeses.

91 Points - James Suckling

Dense, spiced, meaty and mature on the nose, but some fresh black fruit emerges on the full-bodied palate, together with very fine tannins that build up slightly towards the end. This needs to integrate better. Give it a little time. Best from 2023.