APP EXLUSIVE FOR A HAPPY FRIDAY STORE TAKEOVER!

“Readers can easily find Montepulciano that over-delivers, by the glass in restaurants. These wines fill a niche that few other regions in Italy can match.” – Vinous

Well, if $35 with 97 points isn’t over-delivering, we don’t know what is!

Eric Guido of Vinous further elaborates, “At a conference a few months ago, I was asked what the next up-and-coming region is from the boot. Without hesitation, I responded, Abruzzo. There is a serious uptick in quality across the board, and many winemakers are pushing the envelope much further than ever before… Now is the time to explore Montepulciano.”

The buzz is on with Abruzzo, obviouzzly. Decanter zooms in further; “On the coast at Roseto degli Abruzzi, lies the Mazzarosa winery, built by 19th-century senator Giuseppe Devincenzi, who introduced new agricultural methods and grape varieties to the region. The estate has preserved its red Vere Novo is the result of an experiment during Covid lockdown, made with partial whole-bunch fermentation, giving an intense, velvety Montepulciano.”

With 5 years on the vintage, this inaugural beauty has proven to be a wonderful ager. Not only have the fresh cherries evolved into candied and macerated ones, but there are all these beautiful tertiaries that have emerged with nuances of tobacco and bay leaves, lingering long with the baking spice accents. This is surprisingly fresh for a whole berry take on a Montepulciano. Time brought in just the right complexity and savory to make it the ideal pairing for all kinds of charcuterie and aged cheeses. YUM!

Final word back to Vinous “The fact remains that the best Montepulciano wines can and do age beautifully without the assistance of wood tannins. The best part is that, even at the top of the price pyramid, they provide amazing value for collectors.”

You hear that collectors on a budget?

97 Points – Decanter WWA “Plenty of ripe plum, blueberries, and well-integrated oak, with subtle accents of thyme and laurel. Quite light in concentration, with a delicacy of acid and tannins. The wine shows a perfumed spine of herbs that runs throughout the palate’s lingering finish.”