Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Vecchie Vigne 2001

The 2001 is a sultry and flirtatious vintage of Pepe’s Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Vecchie Vigne. Dark and a bit murky at first, it takes nearly an hour to blow off a musky, almost wooly mineral and animal-toned air; however, beneath it all, there are depths of tobacco, cherry sauce, scorched earth and a mentholated, herbal freshness that adds a wonderful lift.

This soft, nearly-fleshy wine finds a lovely harmony through a mix of nervous acidity and citrus-tinged red fruits that add a highly energetic and almost-juicy feel.