2012 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Buying options
Tasting notes
Freshly turned earth, fresh cherry, still fizzing with youth. Leather and liquorice, and something a bit horsey – this has more than a hint of Ch Musar about it, with definite wildness. Impressive, but volatile. Very fine tannins, super-savoury finish. (RH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Eric Guido, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2012 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Vecchie Vigne is smoky, meaty and packed full of dark fruit intensity. Notes of black currant, wild brush herbs, white pepper and tobacco can be found from start to finish. It’s soft upon entry and almost fragile in feel, with a tactile mix of nervous acidity and grippy young tannins that keep the expression achingly youthful. There are depths of tart woodland berries and savory spices fighting to surface from beneath the 2012’s hulking structure, yet only time will tell if they’ll ever succeed, as today, this is all elbows and knees.
About the producer
Emidio Pepe is a star of the Abruzzo region and one of Italy’s most famous names. Worshipped by natural-wine lovers for its low-intervention approach, this estate makes category-defying, age-worthy examples of Montepulciano, Trebbiano and Cerasolo d’Abruzzo, as well as Pecorino Colli Aprutini.