Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC Amphora 2019

For the wines of the Amphora line, Francesco Cirelli uses almost exclusively his own grape material from his Azienda Agricola in the south of the Teramo sub-region. The farm lies adjacent to the Calanchi, the limestone slopes eroded and craggy over centuries.

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

The grapes for the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 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. The wines are given a little sulphur for stabilisation before bottling.

Color

Deep ruby red with violet reflections and black core.

Nose

The red fruit resembles the foundation of a long road that runs straight towards the horizon. Aromas of graphite, tar and earthy notes flicker above the hot asphalt, complemented by mild spices such as black pepper, cardamom and black olives. Underneath, dark fruits like blackberries, plums and blueberries smoulder like black lava, giving the 2019 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo its unfathomable depth.

Mouth

Fleshy and dense with superb freshness, it immediately lines the entire palate and testifies to unshakable self-assurance. Clothed in tightly woven and firm tannins, it is neatly parted and groomed and leaves no doubt about the potential of the grape variety even with contemporary ageing. Set like a ruby, the rich red fruit sparkles in a noble frame of ripe yet gripping tannin, focused by the lively acidic nerve that gives it its aged drinkability.