Emidio Pepe - Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2011

Emidio Pepe - Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2011 (92 TSW)

Last week we tasted this beautiful red one from the Abruzzo region together with @andrewinereviews at my home, ofcourse with 1,5 meter social distance.
It was my first of three bottles I found at an auction. Already very nice to drink but also to keep some more years in my cellar. 

My tasting notes:

In the glass a deep dark ruby red color.
On the medium+ nose aromas of sour cherries, black currants and plums with hints of earth and young leather.
On the palate dry, medium++ bodied with medium+ acidity and pleasant medium+ tannins (not drying). Full and round in the mouth with great balance and complexity showing flavours of plum, berries and cherries with hints of tobacco with a earthy aftertaste. I will try this again over 5 years.

About the winery:

The winery is founded on a 19th century until Emidio Pepe, grandfather of the current name bearer, finds the ideal terroir in the hills around Torano. In 1944 his son Giuseppe was notorious for the quality of his bulk wine (vino sfuso). Another 20 years later, it was his grandson who inherited the vineyards and drew the first white Trebbiano d'Abruzzo and rode Montepulciano d'Abruzzo on bottles. In 1964, in Abruzzo and far beyond, Emidio Pepe became the symbol of territorial expression and long-life wines thanks to Emidio's empirical and tireless efforts.

They worked organically long before the approach became a fashion phenomenon or was certified via an institutional stamp. Currently, the winery owns 15 hectares of vineyard, cultivated according to the principles of organic and biodynamic agriculture. Emidio Pepe's wines are known to age beautifully in the bottle and it is only right that the winery is considered one of Abruzzo's best.