Tasting - Masciarelli Montepulicano D'abruzzo

 

Name:	Masciarelli Montepulicano D'abruzzo
Variety:	Montepulciano
Region:	Abruzzo
Country:	Italy
Year:	2022
Price:	$16

Winery Review:

Masicarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is the benchmark for Montepulciano in Italy and the world. Pioneering winemaker Gianni Masciarelli, who put winemaking Abruzzo on the map, elevated the wines from his native region to new heights, and his Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is a tribute to his home as well as a perfect introduction to the grape and to Abruzzo. This wine shows how, when handled with care, the late ripening Montepulciano grape produces refined wines of soft acidity, ripe and moderate tannins, and bright red berry and cherry notes with a distinct, spicy character.

Wine Folly: 

Monetepulicano (p. 135) Red plum and blackberry are the fruit flavors Wine Folly suggests. This bottle has the red fruit but it's more cherry than plum. The youth perhaps hasn't allowed for the thyme (lol) or mesquite notes the book mentions, but there is something more here...maybe hibiscus. Maybe anise or licorice back there somewhere?

Central Italy - Monetepulicano (p. 258) This bottle has all the tannins the book mentions. Another Monetepulicano from this region might tend to have more depth than this bottle, but it has the beginnings of all savory flavors its brothers may have.

My Review: Rogue hints of hibiscus. Sticky tannins. Evasive savory flavors. This is an awesome bottle that I wish I'd paired with something. The book mentions andouille and fennel. That is spot on for this wine. Next time.