Montepulciano

"Strong ruby red with light violet reflections. Rich nose with notes of sour cherry, blackberry jam, liquorice and Mediterranean maquis. Soft, supple and balanced on the palate between freshness, juiciness and well-integrated tannins." Falstaff

"The 2018 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Centovie rises from the glass with a wild and exotic blend of crushed rose petals, sweet herbs, wet stone and strawberries. It fills the palate with a soft, almost fleshy texture held together by a lively acidity that enlivens the tart wild berries within. The 2018 is long-lasting, just lightly textured with a hint of sour citrus that contrasts nicely." Vinous

"This is an organic wine whose fruit comes exclusively from the Umani Ronchi vineyards. The 2018 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Centovie represents some of the fruit from two hills facing each other. The wine shows beautiful dark fruit and rich concentration with soft layers of black cherry, plum, spice and leather. The 2018 vintage offers plenty of freshness to cleanse the palate." Wine Advocate

Grosso Agontano Riserva rises dark, floral and earthy from the glass, with notes of undergrowth and tobacco that fade into blackberry and crushed stone. Its velvety texture leads to a sophisticated presentation of red and black fruits, underpinned by cool herbal notes, while the fine tannins slowly saturate towards the end. The finish is long, youthfully structured and with a pleasant inner sweetness, while nuances of tangerine and sour cherry linger under a hint of violet blossom.

Agontano is a 100% Montepulciano that is refined in barriques in the second passage. It is a very attractive interpretation of the grape variety and still needs some time in the cellar to show its best side. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark shiny purple red colour, fine rim. Spicy bouquet of juniper and sweet cherries, followed by leather and a hint of espresso in the finish. Silky texture on the palate, savoury fruit clothed in chocolate, with firm tannins and gentle pressure." Falstaff

"The Conero Riserva Agontano 2020 is dark and intense. A cascade of violet flowers and lavender gives way to crushed blackberries accompanied by hints of cocoa and camphor. The wine is soft and enveloping, with polished red and black fruits accompanied by lively acidity. Fine tannins build slowly towards the end. The Agontano leaves behind chalky mineral tones and a bitter espresso note that lingers until the long and structured final. The 2020 is complex and beautifully balanced, but also very young. We will have to be patient." Vinous

Owner Leonardo Pinzolo cultivates 52 hectares of biodynamically certified vineyards on his family farms in Popoli and Capestrano. The soils here differ from those in the rest of Abruzzo. Combined with the higher altitude of the vineyards and the proximity to the Gran Sasso mountains, these wines have a decidedly cooler expression than is usually found in Abruzzo. In the winery, fermentations are spontaneous and without temperature control. With the exception of a few single-vineyard wines, most of the wines are matured in stainless steel.

Brilliant medium carmine red colour. Initially somewhat reductively closed on the nose, Leonardo explains: "It's better if the wine is a little reduced when it comes into the bottle because it ages better that way." After a little air, a fine exotic flavour, lots of red fruit and notes of flowers. The surprise on the palate: a beautifully compact, juicy and transparent red fruit and lots of fine tannins, plus notes of liquorice and sweet cinnamon. A fresh, straightforward wine with the typical cool Valle-Reale profile and anything but arbitrary. SUPERIORE.DE

This Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is one of the best we have ever tasted. Concentrated ruby red in colour, its nose and taste are characterised by a wonderful balance between fruit components and oak spice. A compact, elegant and very balanced red with a rich finish. Perfect! SUPERIORE.DE

"The Terre di Casauria Riserva San Clemente 2018 opens with a mentholated blend of plum sauce, sage and dusty earth. On the palate, it is elegant and polished, with juicy red and blue fruits that fade into savoury herbs and exotic spices. The 2018 tapers off long and structured. A hint of violets and lavender calls the taster back to the glass." Vinous

Rosso Piancarda is intensely flavoured and perfumed, with medicinal cherries and raspberries complemented by dusty roses and sweet cedar wood notes. On the palate, Piancarda turns to the savoury spectrum. Salty and full of savoury minerality, it shows spicy red fruits, a hint of plum and a lively acidity that keeps the expression fresh. The grippy tannins remain until the final, while the notes of sour citrus fruits and tart berries slowly fade away. SUPERIORE.DE

Deep, dark ruby red colour. Full, deep and explosive bouquet reminiscent of dark berries, tobacco and liquorice. Illuminati's single-vineyard classic Zanna, with its elegant, very complex flavour and delicate oak spice, leaves nothing to be desired every year. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2018 Colline Teramane Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva Zanna is quite backward today, dark and brooding. Exotic spice and black currants form its understated bouquet. This is a more lifted and fresh style for Zanna, with round, supple textures and ripe citrus-tinged black fruits. Edgy tannins linger through the mentholated finale as hints of spiced cherry fade slowly." Vinous

Don Luigi Riserva opens with a dark, seductive blend of musky blackcurrants, sweet sage and crushed ash stones. It is full-bodied and almost creamy in flavour. The palate is lapped up by deep, ripe dark fruit and exotic spices. In between, a lively acidity with lingering notes of red plums and cedar wood. Beneath the surface is a hint of grippy tannin. The balance of this wine is breathtaking and further bottle ageing will improve it even further. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark ruby red with violet reflections. Very ripe, sweet fruit notes on the nose, aromas of preserved cherries, plums and liquorice, underlaid with cocoa and a hint of liquorice. A fruity-sweet core on the palate, grippy and rustic tannins, with a hint of liquorice on the finish." Falstaff

"A powerful red wine with flavours of black cherries, plums, dried mint and hazelnuts. It is ripe and full-bodied with firm but creamy tannins. Opulent yet balanced." James Suckling

Dense, deep red, in the nose forest fruits, ripe red berries and sweet-spicy notes. On the palate elegant, soft, almost creamy, rich, with fine tannin, pronounced body and an optimal balance between alcoholic potency, freshness and fruit and with a furious finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2016 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva Bellovedere is dark yet elegant, with an inviting bouquet of blackberries, crushed violets, exotic spice and hints of camphor. This is silky in texture with a savory, almost-salty display of wild berries and minerals, all balanced by brisk acids. You can hardly feel its fine-grained tannins settling in until the very end, as the palate aches under the Bellovedere’s youthful structure, with echoes of licorice and black fruits lingering long. That said, the balance here is on point, and all the 2016 needs is a few more years of cellaring to really shine." Vinous

"Aromas of dark fruit, mushrooms, flowers and spices. It’s full-bodied with chewy tannins. Chalky texture in the mouth. Juicy and spicy. Flavorful finish with some length." James Suckling

"This rich red offers a cohesive mix of cigar box spice, menthol, hoisin sauce and brandy-soaked blackberries. It's densely packed in fruit and spice flavors on the full-bodied palate, yet balanced well by a polished sheen of tannins and plenty of fresh acidity. Showing ample power and concentration, this would hold well in the cellar." Wine Enthusiast

"Lovely nose, fragrant with a great purity, showing notes of dark cherries, cinnamon and hints of tobacco with leathery undertones. Very elegant and complex palate." Decanter

Powerful, concentrated Montepulciano with an elegant woody note and multi-layered fruit flavours, true to the terroir and modern. Impressive richness that offers further palate pleasures with every sip. Equally impressive is the long and complex finish. One of the most emphatic Montepulciano wines in the region every year, it requires a little patience, but this is handsomely rewarded. SUPERIORE.DE

"Shiny, dark purple red with a fine rim. Complex, spicy bouquet of juniper berries and black cherry, saddle leather, mocha and some iodine in the finish. Silky and persistent on the tongue, firm tannins, concentrated fruit and dark chocolate." Falstaff

"The 2020 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva San Martino Rosso is a dark, floral wine with a forest-inspired bouquet that blends floral undergrowth with crushed ash stones and dried black cherries. It is round and supple with ripe red and blue fruits accompanied by a hint of pepper. Purple flowers swirl around inside. The wine finishes pleasantly, long and colourful. Strong tannins give it a youthful tension without slowing down the momentum." Vinous

"Complex notes of cocoa, rose petals, mulberries and dried mint on the nose, followed by a layered, full-bodied and meaty palate. The tannins are resolving nicely." James Suckling

The name Iskra comes from the Slavic language and means "spark". The name emphasises the uniqueness of a pair of wines that are able to seduce from the very first glass. Both Iskra wines have one characteristic in common: they have a great personality and their grapes each come from a single vineyard. With grapes typical of central Italy - Malvasia and Montepulciano from two of Abruzzo's favourite terroirs, Colline Teramane and Colline Pescaresi - both wines stand for their clear identity and origin.

The grapes for Iskra Rosso come from a vineyard in Controguerra in the province of Teramo. With its velvety softness and intense aromas of ripe red fruit, it represents one of the most famous terroirs in Abruzzo. It first matures in French oak barriques and then for a long time in the bottle. Complex and full-bodied with lively notes of blackberries, plums, blueberries and berries. Goes perfectly with roasts, stews or rich and flavoursome dishes. SUPERIORE.DE

"On the nose, there is a balance between earthy herbs and fruity undertones of strawberries, candied cherries and dried cranberries. On the palate, dense, taut tannins and impressive acidity provide the framework for a strong, salty bitter chocolate note, but also dried red berries, which provide some lightness on the finish." Wine Enthusiast

"This plush red has a round creaminess, although sculpted tannins and balsamico acidity provide fine definition. Offers a ripe profile of plum pudding, blackberry coulis and vanilla elements, with savory notes of iron, Mediterranean macchia and fresh earth." Wine Spectator

"The grapes for the Iskra come from a vineyard in the Colline Teramane. It is aged for 18 months in new barriques, which gives it spicy, tobacco and balsamic undertones on the nose. On the palate, it is structured, with enough softness to smooth out the assertive tannins and good ageing potential." Decanter

"Dark and brooding, the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva Iskra 2019 develops slowly. Hints of cloves and mocha complicate the flavours of dried black cherries and sage. It is elegant and refined, with polished red and blue fruits supported by a mineral core, while sweet wood spices emerge towards the finish. The 2019 is structured with fine-grained tannins that saturate as cocoa and balsamic spices slowly fade away. This tight Iskra is made for the cellar." Vinous

Ramitello impresses with an immense aroma of intense red fruit flavours and delicate balsamic notes. The taste is warm and full, with rich fruit tones spiced with a hint of tobacco, coffee and liquorice. SUPERIORE.DE

"Very dark ruby red with garnet reflections and a violet-coloured core. Very ripe blackberry and blueberry fruit on the nose, followed by earthy notes, eucalyptus and coffee powder. The palate shows great balance and equilibrium, the long final is very fruit-driven, the grippy tannins full of tension." Falstaff

"A concentrated, tasty red wine with aromas and flavours of mulberry, laurel, sage and black bean. It is full-bodied, dark fruity and balanced with medium-bodied tannins." James Suckling

The small 2-hectare Sant'Eusanio vineyard is located approximately 500 metres above sea level in the highest zone of the entire Valle-Reale area. What distinguishes this vineyard from the others in Popoli is its northern exposure and the temperature differences between day and night, which can reach the lowest temperatures in the valley. These factors lead to extreme microclimatic conditions under which the grapes of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Sant'Eusanio ripen, making it a unique wine. It is an uncompromising expression of Montepulciano from the mountains and speaks a dynamic language of acidity and freshness that contrasts sharply with the body and structure of the wines grown in the coastal zone of the region.

Montepulciano Vigneto Sant'Eusanio is spicy and intense with a vibrant blend of black raspberries and cloves, underlined by leather and dusty earth. On the palate, a variety of silky textures with ripe red and blue fruits emphasised by salty minerals and exotic spices. With soft tannins and dramatic length, this wine finishes with brilliant clarity and freshness, while bringing the structure to support further cellaring and ageing. This exceptional red is only produced in vintages where the entire growth cycle can be completed to full maturity. Nevertheless, this wine is never too full-bodied or too rich. Thanks to the cool growing conditions, it always remains elegant and in a class of its own. SUPERIORE.DE

"This characteristic Montepulciano d'Abruzzo comes from Sant'Eusanio, its highest vineyard at an altitude of around 500 metres, with 20-year-old vines on lean, gravelly soils. The exclusive treatment in the winery's steel tanks brings out fresh, herbaceous and fruity aromas of sour cherries and wild berries. On the palate, it is deep and elegant and displays an admirable balance of acidity and structure." Decanter

The Popoli vineyard bears witness to the fact that the Valle Reale plateau has been a wine-growing area since time immemorial. Several rows of this vineyard stretch out in front of the ruins of a cave cellar dating back to 1300. This is where the Benedictine monks from the monastery of San Benedetto in Perillis produced and stored their wine. The larger part of this very old site, where Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is cultivated, extends southwards towards the entrance to the valley.

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Vigneto di Popoli presents itself with an earthy, slightly rustic but very pleasant aroma that blends musky raspberries with dusty dried flowers, cedar wood and a hint of undergrowth. Its textures are silky and supple, yet with a sense of lightness that brings out a juicy and pure expression of tart red berries as the fine tannins settle in towards the end. Finishes with an almost youthful grip and balance, with nuances of mineral strawberries slowly fading away. A fabulous and extremely valuable Montepulciano d'Abruzzo that will continue to improve over the next few years. SUPERIORE.DE

The Montepulciano vines for this powerful and terroir-rich Montepulciano grow on the Campo San Giorgio vineyard at an altitude of about 150 m on deep, chalky clay soils. The wine is unfiltered and unfined and matures for 12 months in small and large wooden barrels. The label represents the historic design of the Rosso Conero of the 1970s and the impressive result is the calling card of a long family tradition and expertise in viticulture.

Deep dark ruby red with violet and garnet reflections. Very expressive on the nose with a fruity style of cherry, plum, liquorice and herbal spice. Fresh and firm on the palate, the delicate extract sweetness gives it harmony and the silky tannins lead into a warm, very long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark shining ruby red. In the nose of juicy, ripe raspberries and cherries, shows elegant leather spice, cedar wood, a hint of blood orange in the aftertaste. On the palate initially with elegant creaminess, shows racy acidity in fine interplay with tannin and fruit, spans a wide, fine arc, slightly salty in the final." Falstaff

"This has aromas of black fruit, leather, charcoal and toast. Some iodine and grilled herbs. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins. Charred-wood character at the moment, but it’s long and shows excellent concentration." James Suckling

"With only 6,000 bottles made, the Umani Ronchi 2018 Conero Riserva Campo San Giorgio is a terrific expression of Montepulciano that highlights elegance and persistence. This vintage saw very healthy fruit, and you taste pure tones of plum, blackberry, spice and garden herb. The tannins are etched and graceful, giving the Campo San Giorgio lots of solid support at the back. This is a beautiful wine." Wine Advocate

Seductive bouquet of exotic sweet spices, pickled cherries and minty herbs. Juicy and deep on the palate, with an abundance of ripe red fruits stimulated by a lively acidity, while rosy tones build inside over a layer of fine but sweet tannins. In the long and lightly structured final, bitter notes mix with sour citrus fruits, which in combination with the fine extract sweetness creates all kinds of tension. Very energetic and complex. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark violet with minimal lightening rim. Medium expression on the nose, on roasted malt, walnuts, plus chocolate powder, reverberating on Amarena cherry and pickled plums. Nice creaminess and compact tannin on the palate, spans a wide arc, savoury in attack and progression, rich finish with minimal aftertaste." Falstaff

"The 2017 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva is a dark beauty with balsam herbs giving way to spiced cookie, hints of cinnamon and citrus-kissed black cherries. It’s incredibly elegant in character with silken waves of ripe red and black fruits complemented by sweet spice. This saturates the palate with sweet tannins that create a structured feel, yet fail to slow the 2017’s momentum throughout the long and dramatic finale. There’s so much balance and intensity here, making the 2017 a sure bet for the cellar." Vinous

True to the style of the house, the Riserva Pieluni has an excellent structure. Spicy, interwoven fruit aromas, underpinned by a fine hint of vanilla, intensify in the strikingly deep and long taste. The dense, pleasant tannin underlines the elegance of the top product of Illuminati from the Colline Teramane, probably Abruzzo's best denomination for Montepulciano. SUPERIORE.DE

Deep dark ruby red. Full, deep and explosive bouquet reminiscent of dark berries, tobacco and liquorice. Illuminati's single-vineyard classic Zanna, with its elegant, very complex taste and delicate oak spice, leaves nothing to be desired every year. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2017 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva Zanna, with its dark purple hue, slowly comes to life in the glass. A blend of blackberries and currants is complemented by nuances of mint, chalk dust and exotic spices. The palate is washed by mineral red berries and mentholated herbal notes that unfold towards the end. A layer of fine-grained tannins saturates the palate and gives it a youthful structure, supported by a touch of residual acidity that maintains balance. Give it another year of ageing for best effect." Vinous

"Rich red and black berries with notes of shellfish, dried herbs and a hint of balsamic. Medium to full body with a relaxed palate where the firm, fine and polished tannins bring out a drier aspect of the fruit. This wine needs another year to come together better. Try it from 2023." James Suckling

"This balanced, polished red wine displays rich aromas of red cherries dipped in alcohol with accents of menthol and tobacco. The palate is soft and supple, with a perky cherry flavour wrapped in dewy herbs and cigar box accents. Gentle tannins and bright acidity give this red wine a coherent texture." Wine Enthusiast

"With a dark appearance and the bold concentration of a hot vintage, the Illuminati 2017 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane Riserva Zanna plays up its dense flavors of black fruit, spice and sweet earth. The bouquet is very generous, and this large-scale approach gives this wine plenty of latitude for grilled meat dishes." Wine Advocate

The 4.5-hectare Convento (di Capestrano) vineyard is the youngest cru within the vineyards of the municipality of Capestrano. It extends over the higher part of the land where vines and vegetables were once grown and which belonged to the old convent of St Francis, which has stood on a hill overlooking the small village of Capestrano since the mid XV century. The microclimate, which is so different from that of the plateau, has two important consequences: A harvest that takes place on average two to three weeks earlier, depending on the year, and the result is a Montepulciano d'Abruzzo that stands out from the crus of other farms in terms of its vigour and concentration.

Deep, shiny ruby red colour. Then a complex nose of pomegranate, rosemary, coriander and red liquorice that you can lose yourself in. Fine, deep and ripe red fruit on the palate with a hint of undergrowth, old leather and mace. Supple, juicy and mouth-filling with chalky tannins. Very long and dense, opulent and gripping. SUPERIORE.DE

"Compared to the Vigneto Sant'Eusanio, the Valle Reale 2018 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Vigneto del Convento (with only 2,022 bottles produced and a pretty red wax capsule) is heartier in character with dark fruit, dense concentration and flavours of blackberry, ploughed earth and sweet baking spice. The richness is broad, and this wine leaves a distinct mark in terms of both mouthfeel and sweet tannins. This is a very special wine that has only been produced three times in 23 years." Wine Advocate

The extremely successful "Binomio" joint venture between Fattoria La Valentina and Azienda Agricola Inama is entering a new round. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the La Valentina winery, a new wine was born, which is only produced in the best vintages and in limited small editions.

2017 was a very hot year and in some areas of the Binomio vineyard, the Montepulciano grapes were extremely concentrated. This gave rise to the idea of making a top selection of the grapes for the first time, because under the good shade of the foliage, they showed a particular flawlessness of flavours and promised an even more concise interpretation of the essence of Binomio. With patience and care, this small and exceptional portion of the fascinating grapes was then selected and the foundation stone was laid for the small "Binomio Collezione" series, which is only produced in the best years. With the first vintage 2017, 3,000 bottles are now available in the hand-picked specialised trade.

Deep, shimmering ruby red colour. Intense bouquet with heavy aromas of redcurrants and sour cherries, accompanied by hints of roasted almonds, gentian violets and a delicate spiciness. On the palate, the wine reveals all its complexity and opulence, framed by tightly woven, well-integrated tannins in a perfect balance between warmth and softness. A deep wine that only reveals itself with some aeration and is proof of the outstanding characteristics of the grape variety and terroir. SUPERIORE.DE

"Deep, dark ruby red with an opaque centre. On the nose, preserved cherry, ripe plum, dark chocolate, a hint of nougat, grated wild berries, delicate sealing wax. Very dense on the palate with a creamy texture, almost oily, currently still with a lot of tannin, becomes slightly broad-meshed in the final and remains drying." Falstaff

"Dark and brooding, the 2017 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Binomio Collezione opens with hints of cedar and sweet spices complementing the crushed plums. It flows across the palate with silky textures and masses of ripe red and blue fruits, neatly balanced by a hint of citrus towards the end. Violet candy, lavender and mint can be found as the 2017 finishes powerful and fresh." Vinous

"Floral black fruits on the nose, with notes of black liquorice and pressed flowers. Full-bodied, round and silky on the palate, firm but not chewy, with liquorice fruit and grainy, fruity tannins. Balanced and long. Accessible now, but made to last. Best from 2025 onwards." James Suckling

Kurni is an exceptionally opulent wine and consists of one hundred per cent Montepulciano grapes, which are partially dried. This makes Kurni - stylistically speaking - central Italy's answer to high-calibre Amarone. Clearly defined, multi-layered, dark cherries, oriental spices, savoury, balsamic, lush, sweet and voluminous, exploding fruit, refined tannins, an incessant final and and and ... SUPERIORE.DE

"Deep dark purple colour. Initially somewhat restrained on the nose, fine earthy notes, cassis, cigar box, smoke, after a little time on dark chocolate. Opens up with great creaminess and mellowness on the palate, powerful, very complex, yet elegant despite its concentration, very great length, currently still a little young." Falstaff

The vines for Emidio's new and second single vineyard "Branella" are, believe it or not, almost 70 years old. In these young days, the wine is finer and more elegant, but also more restrained than its cru counterpart "Casa pep". With increasing aeration, it shows a freshness and berry flavour that leads to more and more juiciness and an incredible length after a few more hours, which once again impressively proves that Emidio pepis the uncrowned king of the Montepulciano grape. The impatient will open the first bottle many hours before drinking, but with more discipline, the decision can only be made: Put it deep in the cellar and wait for another terrific development ... SUPERIORE.DE

"Spicy and floral, the recently bottled 2021 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Vecchie Vigne Branella smolders up with an earthy blend of crushed rocks, iron, freshly tilled soil and dried black cherries. This dazzles with its vividly ripe blackberry fruits and exotic spices. Sour citrus contrasts the grippy tannins that mount toward the close. The 2021 finishes pleasantly chewy and structured with silty tannins. The 2021 ends incredibly long with a bitter blackberry concentration and violet inner florals. The warmth of the vintage can be felt in the tannins, yet balance is expertly maintained."

Here comes the second vintage from Emidio pepsmall parcel called "Casa pep", which once again sets the tone in terms of concentration and expression. This top-class Montepulciano only reveals its true complexity and its concert of flavours after many hours and you would be well advised to open the bottle in good time or to keep it in the cellar for a few more years. SUPERIORE.DE

"A cascade of roses and violets gives way to crushed blackberries and wet stones as the 2021 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Vecchie Vigne Casa pepblossoms in the glass. This wine is luxuriously round and juicy, with an abundance of wild berries supported by lively acidity. A hint of bitterness and grainy tannins enliven the palate. The 2021 finishes with a tart concentration and is pleasantly viscous. It has only just been bottled and will certainly develop wonderfully over time." Vinous

Ruby red in colour with violet reflections and a black core. Dark forest berries such as blackberries and mulberries on the nose, underpinned by warm undergrowth notes. Then ripe blood oranges and subtle cedar notes. On the palate, it is defined by flavours of liquorice, the tannins are close-knit and low-pore, reminiscent of the finest dark chocolate and control the generously juicy fruit with their delicate play. Armed for many years of bottle ageing, we recommend reaching for a carafe in its youthful stage. Then it reveals itself with stimulatingly tart flavours of dark tobacco and enormous pressure, dark, dense and rich with an orchestral finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"The ageing of wines has always played a decisive role in the philosophy of our company. This is the reason why today we are proud to be able to offer many of the oldest vintages directly from our cellar. We differentiate as follows: We make two bottlings each year. Younger vintages, which we bring to the Italian market, come from younger vineyards and the wines from the old vines are left to mature in our cellar for at least 5 years before being gradually released onto the global market. The latter wines are labelled 'Selezione Vecchie Vigne' to make it easier to distinguish them. Another important aspect is that all bottles that are over 10 years old are decanted and individually checked before they are re-corked and sent on their journey to our customers." Emidio pepe

"Sour citrus fruit mingles with earthy tones, animal musk, cocoa and earl grey as the 2009 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Vecchie Vigne slowly unfolds in the glass. Aromatically intense and only just ripe, it is soft and enveloping on the palate, but with more vigour than expected. A lively acidity adds dimension to the dried black cherry fruit. Blood orange and saline minerals combine to create a salty citrus tone as the 2009 finishes with youthful tannins that tug at the palate. It is at a beautiful stage, already appealing to lovers of mature wines, but also showing incredible energy and freshness." Vinous