Big and full on the nose, with an unusual floral (iris and violets) and licorice character, the 1999 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva is deep, dense, and concentrated in flavor, long and intense on the finish. Drink: 2006-2012. Ettore Falvo took up the cause of Vino Nobile in the late 1970’s and, together with Paola De Ferrari of Boscarelli, did yeoman’s work in defending the cause. A sizeable operation with vineyards both in Montepulciano and neighboring Cortona, Avignonesi (the name comes from Falvo’s former wife, Adriana Avignonesi) the label, for a certain period of time, demonstrated to the world’s markets that the zone continued to exist. There has been some inconsistency from vintage to vintage and from wine to wine in the 1990’s, but this is a strong series.Importer: Dalla Terra, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-5405