The 2007 Tellus (Syrah, Merlot) is another new offering from Falesco. Mint, flowers, spices and dark plums are among the nuances that emerge from this expansive, polished wine. Today Tellus is a blend of equal parts Syrah and Merlot, but Cotarella’s goal is to make a 100% Syrah in a few years, once the vineyards are a bit older. It will be interesting to follow this wine in coming vintages. This first effort is very promising. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2012. (Not yet released)Riccardo Cotarella’s numerous consulting engagements take him all over the world, but it is Falesco, his estate in the rolling hills of Umbria, that he calls home. Falesco is a family affair, with Cotarella’s brother Renzo, and daughter Dominga involved in running the winery. The sprawling property covers 670 acres, 370 of which are under vine. Quality is incredibly consistent when one considers that nearly 3 million bottles emerge from these cellars each year. Never one to rest on his laurels, Cotarella has several new projects in the works. One of the most intriguing of these is a Sagrantino he is making from three hectares of rented vineyards in Bevagna. The first vintage, 2006, will be released later this year.Importer:A Leonardo Lo Cascio Selection, Winebow, Montvale, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620