Valle Reale

Owner Leonardo Pinzolo cultivates 52 hectares of biodynamic, Demeter-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.

Leonardo's pleasantly fresh Trebbiano d'Abruzzo is a blend from the estate's individual vineyard sites. Initially restrained on the nose, it becomes spicy and herbaceous as it progresses. Soft and full-bodied on the palate, with a crisp minerality and tart fruit flavours. Rejuvenates with every sip with beautiful freshness and harmony, leaving a lingering flavour of young peach in the medium-long final. Good potential! SUPERIORE.DE

Owner Leonardo Pinzolo cultivates 52 hectares of biodynamic, Demeter-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

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 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. A small plot of about 1 hectare is dedicated to Trebbiano d'Abruzzo.

Intense, bright straw yellow colour. Amazing, multi-layered and very animating bouquet of lime, quince and grapefruit, with hints of sage. More savoury than sweet, it impresses on the palate with its cool freshness and ripe fruit, supported by a lively acidity. Intense citrus fruit flavours with pink grapefruit and a hint of bitter grapefruit on the finish. Long-lasting and simply irresistible! SUPERIORE.DE

The Capestrano vineyard is located in the plain of Ofena, just a few kilometres from Popoli and still around 400 metres above sea level. It is part of the Convento vineyard and is planted throughout with Trebbiano d'Abruzzo. The unspoilt environment of the Capestrano spring located there has a high level of biodiversity, which is reflected in the numerous aquatic plants, bushes, flowers and spontaneous vegetation that, thanks to the indigenous yeasts, give the wines made from these grapes their unmistakable organoleptic profile.

Trebbiano d'Abruzzo Vigna del Convento di Capestrano is even more complex than the Vigneto di Popoli. Intense straw yellow in colour, it has a subtle, sweet aroma of yellow apples, spring flowers, crushed limestone and a hint of raw almonds. The silky, almost oily texture is contrasted by tart citrus fruits and minerals, while the acids stimulate the senses and create tension in the cheeks. This high-quality Trebbiano Abruzzese is more of a whisper than a shout. It will undoubtedly gain volume and depth with ageing, but is already a wine that can undoubtedly compete with the famous whites of Valentini and Emidio pep. SUPERIORE.DE

"Creamy nose with light notes of roasted cashews, biscuits, pie crust and grapes. Bright and phenolic on the palate, with fresh acidity and a nice nutty but savoury finish." James Suckling

"The 2020 Trebbiano d'Abruzzo Vigneto di Capestrano is decidedly flavoursome, with a mix of smoky gravel, sage and freshly cut apricots. Its texture is intense, it appears lifted, yet pleasantly ripe and almost creamy. Exotic spices and dusty, floral tones complement the ripe fruit flavours. The 2020 finishes long, colourful and lightly structured with a pleasantly bitter hint of ginger and crisp green apple. Fantastic." Vinous

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