Montepulciano D’Abruzzo (Red) 2017

This Montepulciano 2017 from Emidio Pepe will only improve over the next 10 years.

"Inky purple. The fresh, fragrant nose of dark plums and red flowers is remarkably vibrant for a 2017 (given the generally hot, dry year) and extremely fruity. Juicy, bright and nicely focused, boasting flavours similar to the aromas and a red fruit jelly and blueberry coulis note on the long, cool finish. Lovely fruit-forward Montepulciano with youthfully chewy but noble tannins adding a late-hitting, spicy kick. This is made with the estate’s younger vines (roughly 20-25 years old) and is very food-friendly; the 2017 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo “Old Vines” will be released six or seven years from now."

Ian D`Agata for Vinous.com (reviewed Sep 2019)

Terroir: Clay for 1.5m deep and then, limestone underneath. South-west facing vineyard

Age of vines: 48 years old

Vinification: Grapes are hand-harvested // sestemmed by hand // maceration for 7/8 days // gentle tannin extraction with punch down only - no pump over // ageing for two years in cement tank // Wine is bottled for further ageing in the bottle // sulphur 50mg/L.