An underdog in the seemingly endless list of food-friendly Italian wines, Montepulciano is often overlooked for its Sangiovese-based counterparts.  This is in spite of the fact that it is the second highest planted red grape in Italy.  It most often finds its home in Abruzzo, a sizable region East of Rome that runs along the Adriatic coastline.  This particular version goes through a rigorous vinification process before release; aging in oak and bottle.  It pours a rich ruby with garnet hues and offers a nose of bittersweet chocolate, plum, dried cherry, and vanilla.  The palate is rich with notes of plum, tart cherry, and slight hints of savory spice.  The tannins are soft and well-integrated and the acidity prevents the overall rich profile from becoming too heavy.