Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC Sel. Vecchie Vigne decanted 1984

Wine Description for Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC Sel. Vecchie Vigne decanted 1984 by Emidio Pepe

Colour & Appearance

A profound, almost autumnal garnet red with distinct brick-red reflections at the rim, bearing witness to the extended bottle maturation.

Nose

The bouquet is an intellectual pleasure: complex and multi-layered. Aromas of dried cherries, leather and truffle reveal themselves, underpinned by a fine balsamic note and nuances of tar and dried herbs.

Palate

On the palate, this 1984 displays astonishing vitality. The structure is aristocratic, characterised by vibrant acidity and silky, completely resolved tannins. One tastes dark fruits, iron and a deep, saline minerality, typical of Pepe.

Finish

Enormously long and precise. The aftertaste lingers with an earthy spice and an almost youthful freshness on the palate.

Terroir & Origin

Grown on the calcareous clay soils of Abruzzo, this wine benefits from the unique microclimate between the Gran Sasso massif and the Adriatic.

Grape Variety & Vinification

100% Montepulciano from old vines. The grapes were traditionally foot-trodden, spontaneously fermented in concrete and aged without added sulphites. This wine was hand-decanted before sale to remove the sediment – a mark of the highest craftsmanship.

Food Pairing Suggestions

A wine for meditative moments or as a companion to braised lamb shoulder, game dishes with truffle or a very mature, dry Pecorino.

Special Characteristics

Emidio Pepe is an uncompromising visionary of biodynamics. This 1984 is a monument in the wine world and proves that Montepulciano, when handled correctly, ranks among Italy’s most age-worthy wines.