Masciarelli Marina Cvetic ISKRA 2017 (91 VM)

“Blueberries, blackberries, sweet herbs, spice and a hint of pastry cream form the 2017 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva Iskra’s seductive bouquet. It’s silky and medium-bodied, with an elegant display of ripe blue fruits complemented by a cooling wave of minty herbs, as a hint of mocha forms toward the close. Fine-grained tannins make themselves known through the pretty and purple-tinged finale with a hint of licorice lingering on. Tasting the Iskra is always something of a guilty pleasure of mine, as this is a Montepulciano that flaunts its oak influence, but it’s one that does so with impeccable style.”