1999 Patrimo (Unsaleable)
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Tasting notes
This first vintage was made before there was a clear understanding of the identity of the grapes cultivated in this single-vineyard site (or so the legend goes). The 1999 Pàtrimo has reached peak maturity and is showing just enough fruit to get it by for the next few years. I can't imagine it will hold on for that much longer. What you notice immediately is the super thick extraction on proud display. These were the height of the Cotarella years and the wine's opulent style does not go unnoticed. The bouquet offers jammy and very ripe tones of blackberry marmalade with tar, licorice and exotic spice. This was a good vintage with average temperatures throughout the growing season. A few moments of intense rain hit at the end of August to revive the fruit at the end of summer.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Readers should keep an eye out for the upcoming release of the 1999 Patrimo (1,100 cases). Made from 100% Merlot and cropped at a low 22 hectoliters per hectare, this spectacular wine had not been bottled when I tasted it, but I was assured there would be no filtration prior to bottling. It did not surprise me to learn that the famed Umbrian oenologist, Riccardo Cotarella, was brought in as a consultant for this wine. It reveals his signature in its opaque purple color, stunning notes of ripe blackberries, cherries, and full-bodied personality with super extract, high glycerin, sweet tannin, and beautifully integrated, toasty new French oak. This looks to be a terrific example of Merlot from southern Italy. It should drink well for a decade. A Leonardo Locascio Selection, Winebow, Hohokus, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620
Readers should keep an eye out for the upcoming release of the 1999 Patrimo (1,100 cases). Made from 100% Merlot and cropped at a low 22 hectoliters per hectare, this spectacular wine had not been bottled when I tasted it, but I was assured there would be no filtration prior to bottling. It did not surprise me to learn that the famed Umbrian oenologist, Riccardo Cotarella, was brought in as a consultant for this wine. It reveals his signature in its opaque purple color, stunning notes of ripe blackberries, cherries, and full-bodied personality with super extract, high glycerin, sweet tannin, and beautifully integrated, toasty new French oak. This looks to be a terrific example of Merlot from southern Italy. It should drink well for a decade. ||A Leonardo Locascio Selection, Winebow, Hohokus, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620 Wine Advocate.August, 2000
Fresh ruby. Aromatic, penetrating aromas of berries and light oak. Ripe flavors of blackberry, plum and licorice. An energetic midweight, warm and vigorous on the finish. Doesn't quite offer the velvety, enveloping texture of outstanding merlot, but these are young vines and the vineyards are at 1,500 feet above sea level. The 2000 vintage, tasted from the barrel, is already superior.