Villa Gemma Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva 2017

Vinous 91 points - Deep ruby. Ink, graphite and herbs complement restrained dark plum on the nose. Enters the mouth clean and fresh, displaying smooth, ripe black fruit, tar and underbrush flavors. Very suave but finishes with mounting polished tannins. This very big, modern-style wine will have plenty of admirers. Begs for a grilled steak..March/2013

The estate was founded in 1981 by Gianni Masciarelli, a pioneer wine producer in his native region of Abruzzo who raised the quality and reputation of the local grape varieties - the red Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and the white Trebbiano d’Abruzzo. Masciarelli’s wines, which have earned numerous Gambero Rosso awards, appeal to expert and novice alike. The wines are worthy of the memory of Gianni, who worked tirelessly to secure his legacy as one of the true innovators in the Italian wine industry before his untimely passing in summer of 2008. Today, Masciarelli is the largest organically farmed estate in Italy.

The vines are planted on east facing slopes of clay and calcareous soil. Barrel fermented and aged in new French oak for 36 months (18 to 24 months in barriques).