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Masciarelli

Marina Cvetic Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva 2018

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC

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The Montepulciano Marina Cvetic represents an intense and remarkable expression of one of the historical vines of Abruzzo.  The 100% Montepulciano comes from 8 of the estate’s top parcels and truly represents the summit of what Montepulciano can achieve. Villa Gemma may be the most famous Montepulciano produced by Masciarelli, the only Italian wine to win the coveted Tre Bicchieri award 14 times (and counting), but many view the Marina Cvetic Montepucliano as its equal in quality, differing only in style, and often benefiting from the fact it is blended from parcels crossing a range of altitudes and soils.

VINEYARD

In a span of only 30 miles between the Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic Sea, the 60 vineyards owned by the Masciarelli estate are spread across all four provinces of Abruzzo and farmed sustainably. The 8 specific vineyards that bear fruit for this wine range in altitude from 480 to 1,200 feet with soils of calcareous clay and lime. In these vineyards, we find not only the traditional Abruzzo pergola vine training, but also Simple Guyot and Spur Cordon training that Gianni Masciarelli pioneered in the region as well.

WINEMAKING

This wine exemplifies Masciarelli’s break with historical, commercially minded wines of the region. After maceration and fermentation in stainless steel, the wine is transferred to French barriques for a further 12-18 months of aging before bottling. The resulting silky texture and round tannins fall into harmony with the gorgeously ripe fruit.

TASTING NOTE

Deep and dark with lifted seductive aromas of red fruits and spice, powerful ripe red and black fruits wrapped in a structured but lush, elegant frame. Tremendous length and complexity.

Color

Red

Grape Varieties

Montepulciano

Appellation

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC

Alcohol

14.5%

Suggested Retail Price

$30.00

Reviews

90

"Appealing violet and spice aromatics"

Wine Spectator - May 7, 2021 "A sleek, medium-bodied red, with appealing violet and spice aromatics winding through flavors of crushed blackberry, dried fig and licorice snap. Trim tannins sculpt the finish, where a note of loamy earth emerges and lingers." - A.N.

92

"Depth, concentration and purity"

Wine Enthusiast - May 7, 2021 "Aromas of brandy-soaked dark cherry, anise, allspice and chopped mint show depth, concentration and purity in this Montepulciano that sees time in French oak. It's rich in feel on the palate, but counterbalanced by a bright core of acidity that pushes along the dense berry and spice flavors. There's a polish to it all that makes it accessible in the near term, but it would also hold well through 2028." - A.P.

90

"Incredibly long yet remarkably fresh"

Vinous - October 10, 2022

"The 2018 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva is spicy with masses of intense, dark cherry fruits, minty herbs and hints of shaved cedar. It’s silky-smooth and juicy in style with an opulent wave of dark red berries and saline-minerality that adds balance. The 2018 lingers incredibly long yet remarkably fresh. This is an easier-to-understand yet fully enjoyable expression of Montepulciano."-E.G 8/22

 

92

"Top-notch Job"

Wine Advocate - July 10, 2023

"The 2018 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva S. Martino Rosso Marina Cvetić is super rich and concentrated but also incredibly smooth and ironed out in terms of texture. The wine does taper down considerably on the palate, offering soft tannins and more reasonable human-sized black fruit concentration. The Masciarelli family does a top-notch job following the winemaking vision of the late and great Gianni Masciarelli."-M.L 7/23

 

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