2017 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
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Tasting notes
The 2017 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Vecchie Vigne lifts from the glass with a bouquet that mixes sweet and sour. A balsamic tinge blends with black tea, stone dust and dried cherries, all accentuated with exotic spice. It opens with vividly ripe cherry-berry fruits propelled by juicy acidity, creating a sensation of boundless energy. This finishes with tremendous length yet is still vibrant as dusty tannins combine with tart wild berries and spiced citrus. The 2017 is already beautifully expressive and on the cusp of being released from the Emidio Pepe cellar. It may not be a vintage for the ages, but it's also not to be missed.
Critic scores
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Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
Eric Guido, Vinous
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This is one of the cornerstone producers of the Abruzzo, a winery that follows strict tradition but that also appeals to every new generation of wine drinker that encounters a bottle. The wines of Emidio Pepe are in a word, timeless. The 2017 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo flaunts its pedigree with elegant aromas of black fruit, smoke, tar and powdery licorice. Montepulciano d'Abruzzo fares well in the hot vintages such as 2017 thanks to the cool mountain climates of the region, and not only do you get deep textural richness here, the acidity is beautifully preserved and fresh as well. The tannins are firm and polished, all followed by delicate little accents of dried herb and crushed stone.
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.