A dry red wine from Abruzzo which, thanks to short maceration and amphora ageing, impresses even in its youth with elegance and a fine tannin structure.
12,50 €16,67 € / l
Incl. VAT where applicable
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Bottler: Azienda Cirelli la Collina Biologica SRL, Via Lago Isoletta 4, 65129 Pescara / Italy
In the glass
Colour
Deep ruby red with violet reflections.
Nose
Aromas of dark cherries, ripe plums and violet flowers, underpinned by spicy notes and fine minerality.
Palate
Juicy fruit with soft, polymerised tannins, lively acidity and a balanced body at 13.0% ABV.
Character
Unusually accessible and elegant for a Montepulciano – Francesco Cirelli deliberately focuses on finesse and drinkability rather than powerful weight.
Pairing
Pasta with lamb ragù, pizza with savoury toppings, medium-aged hard cheese.
Notes
Biodynamically certified since 2021, vinified with just eight days of maceration and aged in Impruneta terracotta amphorae – spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts, unfiltered and unfined for an authentic expression of the clay and limestone soils at 250 metres altitude.
Tasting note
Character
Francesco Cirelli interprets Montepulciano against the grain of the region: rather than producing heavy, tannin-laden red wines, he crafts a wine of unusual accessibility and finesse. Dark berry fruit meets polished tannins that already feel silky in their youth thanks to amphora ageing. A Montepulciano that places elegance above power and invites uncomplicated enjoyment.
Terroir & Origin
The vines are rooted in clay and limestone soils at 250 metres altitude near Atri, not far from the spectacular Calanchi – those eroded limestone slopes that lend the landscape an almost surreal character. While the appellation permits yields of up to 150 quintals per hectare, Cirelli restricts his to 40 to 45 quintals – a deliberate choice in favour of concentration and expression. On the biodynamically certified estate, geese graze between the vine rows as part of a closed ecosystem of olives, figs and cereals.
Grape Variety & Vinification
Montepulciano, the indigenous red grape variety of Abruzzo, tends towards generous tannins and dark fruit. Cirelli defies this expectation with a short maceration of just eight days – a break with the regional tradition of months-long skin contact. Ageing takes place in terracotta amphorae from Impruneta, whose porosity polymerises the tannins and renders the wine approachable at an early stage. Spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts, along with the decision to forgo filtration and fining, underscore the artisanal approach.
Food Pairings
Its moderate structure and vibrant fruit make this wine a versatile everyday wine. It pairs beautifully with Pasta all’amatriciana and its tangy tomato heat, with Arrosticini, the grilled lamb skewers typical of Abruzzo, or with a simple Salsiccia pizza. Roasted vegetables with herbs or a plate of Pecorino abruzzese also find an accommodating partner in this wine. Served lightly chilled at 14 to 16 degrees, it reveals its most charming side.
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