Abruzzo Pecorino DOC Amphora 2019

For the Pecorino of the Amphora line, Francesco Cirelli uses only his own grape material from his Azienda Agricola in the south of the Teramo sub-region. The farm is located adjacent to the Calanchi, the limestone slopes that have been eroded and fissured over centuries.

Cirelli concentrates on the three grape varieties of Abruzzo, Trebbiano, Pecorino and Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, and produces a total of four wines with the Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo. For a contemporary interpretation of the grape varieties, he does without excessive maceration and then vinifies the wines in amphorae.

The grapes for Pecorino Amphora are destemmed and gently pressed after 24 hours of maceration in the amphora. The must is then returned to the buried amphorae, where it ferments spontaneously and also undergoes BSA. After 12 months of ageing, the wines are given a little sulphur to stabilise them before bottling.

Strong old gold with radiant reflexes.

The 2019 Pecorino Amphora from Francesco Cirelli initially shows signs of ageing in its youth and calls for large glasses or plunging into the decanter. Wet stones and table chalk make the start, before striking spicy and tart notes appear. Mediterranean herbs such as laurel, sage and savory are flanked by white pepper and light tobacco, until finally a few foolhardy apricots dare to come forward and, together with some dried mango, sing the high song of the semi-aromatic grape variety.

On the nose, the Pecorino Amphora oscillates between fine spice and an immensely disciplined fruit. Super juicy, it is curated on the palate by fine-grained phenolic and lines the edge of the tongue, giving it a stimulatingly tart character. This velvety, concentrated structure is accelerated by the vital acidic nerve that stretches from the initial drink to the fruity, tart finish.