Sant’Angelo in Colle, a hilly area approximately 350 meters (1,200 feet) above sea level, enjoying a south-southwest exposure near Montalcino in the province of Siena, Tuscany. Soil here is of medium weight with some calcareous pebbles.

Review

Wine Enthusiast March 2010 93 Points Nearco 2004 - 93 Points, Wine Enthusiast ------------------------------------------ This exciting vintage of Nearco shows excellent harmony and concentration with aromas of cherry, blackberry, prune, spice and toasted wood. The wine is smooth, velvety, rich and extremely succulent. In fact, its natural softness is what makes it exceptional. ------------------------------------------ Wine Enthusiast March 2010 91 Points Nearco 2005 - 91 Points, Wine Enthusiast ------------------------------------------ The oak note is still a bit pungent here and the wine needs three or four more years of cellaring before reaching harmony. Beyond that, however, this super Tuscan blend offers a solid base of blackberry, spice, leather and tobacco. ------------------------------------------ Wine Spectator October 31, 2009 Nearco 2004 - Wine Spectator ------------------------------------------ Aromas of crushed berries, such as raspberry and strawberry, lead to a medium body, with fine tannins and lightly chewy finish. ------------------------------------------ Wine Enthusiast April 2008 92 Points Nearco 2003 - 92 Points, Wine Enthusiast ------------------------------------------ Thick in extraction, Nearco is a ripe and meaty red with thick layers of blueberry, blackberry, coffee, tobacco, ink, vanilla, spice and cigar box that peel off one solid layer after the other. Nothing is understated here and the wine hits the palate with determined tannins. ------------------------------------------ Colorado Wine News October-December 2007 ------------------------------------------ Soft inviting aromas of sweet vanilla before blackberry, black raspberry, chocolate, and smoky oak continue as fresh, round flavors with the addition of spice, good acidity, and fine, supple tannins. It has nice balance, richness, and a sweet note, is well put together, and will be very popular. Tasty. ------------------------------------------ Wine & Spirits February 2007 91 Points ------------------------------------------ A blend of 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Syrah from Sant'Angelo in Colle near Montelcino, this rich, honeyed red has the plush deliciousness of the 2000 vintage, the sweetness of the new oak melting into the succulent cherry flavors that last. It's soft and easy to love. ------------------------------------------ Wine & Spirits April 2007 91 Points ------------------------------------------ A blend of 50 percent merlot, 30 percent cabernet sauvignon and 20 percent syrah from Sant'Angelo in Colle, near Montalcino, this rich, honeyed red has the plush deliciousness of the 2000 vintage, the sweetness of its new oak melting into the succulent cherry flavors that last. It's soft an easy to love. ------------------------------------------ Luxury Web April 2007 93 Points The Oeno File - Best wines tasted in 2006 ------------------------------------------ From Sant'Angelo in Colle. A blend of 50% merlot, 30% cabernet sauvignon, 20% syrah. Color: dense ruby with violet highlights. Aromas: plums, a hint of chocolate, cloves, vanilla and saddle leather. Palate: full body, with good fruit and well-structured tannins. Impressively elegant with multidimensional flavors and a long finish. Worth cellaring. ------------------------------------------ Oenophile Blog February 2007 ------------------------------------------ The 2002 Nearco, is a blend of 50% Merlot, 30% Cabenet Sauvignon and 20% Syrah. An almost inky black wine with dark violet hues. Aromas of vanilla, mint, figs, and black currant. Full-bodied with plums, dried cherries, vanilla, spice and violets on the palate. ------------------------------------------ Luxury Web November 2006 91 Points The Oeno File - Great reds at hand ------------------------------------------ the color is dense, dark red with violet highlights. Spicy fruait and forest berries with notes of cloves and vanilla. A beautifully balanced and elegant palate. Poerful tannins will soften as the wine ages in bottle. long finish. This is one of the Supertuscans and promises great pleasures to the patient wine lover. ------------------------------------------ Luxury Web February 2006 Levels of Greatness ------------------------------------------ I think the best wines in the tasting were at the Col d'Orcia table. The new super-Tuscan Nearco is outrageous. ------------------------------------------ Wine Spectator October 31, 2005 88 Points ------------------------------------------ Aromas of plums, earth and spice follow through to a medium-bodied palate, with good fruit and a fresh finish. Silky. Refined. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. ------------------------------------------ Wine Enthusiast April 2005 88 Points Buying Guide ------------------------------------------ Luxury Web March 2005 Levels of Greatness ------------------------------------------ The Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino showed off the wines of over 40 Brunello producers. There were too many wines plus a few grappas to taste within a few hours, but I made a valiant effort. But I think the best tasting were at the Col d'Orcia table. The new super-Tuscan Nearco is outrageous. ------------------------------------------

Wine maker notes

Manual harvest with rigorous selection of the best bunches and a second selection on the cellar selecting table. The three grape varieties are fermented separately in 150 hl. stainless steel tanks to obtain optimal skin/juice contact, delicate tannins and color extraction. Fermentation on the skins lasts 20 days at controlled temperatures below 86°F (30°C). Daily punching down and 2 "delestages” (or rack and returns) on the 3rd and 5th day of fermentation.

Technical notes

14% abv

Food pairing

Splendid with steaks, roasts and hearty red meat dishes.