Masciarelli - Montelpulciano d'Abruzzo2008
RED WINE
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Producer
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Country
Italy
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Region
Abruzzo
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Appellation
Montepulciano D'abruzzo
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UPC
8 52165 00636 2
Technical Details
Estate
Founded in 1981, Masciarelli and its wines have become the standard-bearer for Abruzzo, and an inspiration to all emerging Italian wine regions. At just 22 years of age, Gianni Masciarelli believed that his home of Abruzzo and native grape varieties could produce world-class wines, but the
true potential had yet to be realized. With a strong focus on vineyard management, Gianni went against the grain with intense vineyard site and farming focus, reducing yields, working organically, and greatly increasing fruit quality. In the winery, he broke the mold by gently and precisely
handling fruit, and introducing French barriques to add depth and complexity to his wines, and resulting in better integration of tannin. The innovation Gianni and his wife Marina Cvetic brought to the vineyards and the winery has been rewarded with 29 Tre Bicchieri and recognition as a
groundbreaking and iconic winery in Italy.
Tasting notes
Rich and ripe dark cherry fruit, along with
attractive spicy, smoky notes. Fleshy and
full, with surprising depth and length.
Vineyard
In a span of only 30 miles between the
Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic
Sea, Masciarelli has carefully assembled
60 specific sites averaging just 5 acres and
spread across the diverse soils and altitudes
of the 4 provinces of Abruzzo. These
vineyards are farmed organically, and the
six specific vineyards that bear fruit for this
wine range in altitude from 435 to 1,200
feet, planted on soils of calcareous clay
Vinification
After destemming, the grapes are pressed
and undergo a short, warm fermentation
on the skins in stainless steel. Further aging
in stainless steel maintains the freshness
and vibrancy of the fruit producing a wine
that exhibits bright red berries, cherry and
violet aromas and flavors. The wine is then
racked and bottled by gravity without fining
or filtration.
Wine
In many ways the "standard" example for
Montepulciano in the world, an ambassador
as the introduction to the grape and the
Abruzzo region for many consumers.
This wine shows how the late ripening
Montepulciano grape when handled with
care produces welcoming wines of soft
acidity, ripe and moderate tanning, and
bright red berry and cherry fruit with a
distinct spicy character. This wine is intended
to be consumed in its youth and is a terrific
complement to roasted meats, pastas and
pizza – the ultimate trattoria wine.