Tiberio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2023

Most Montepulciano d’Abruzzo comes from the fertile flatlands by the sea - where the grapes ripen quickly, pile on colour and alcohol, and are often buried under oak. It’s all a bit much in my experience. This Montepulciano is the complete opposite - a breath of fresh air (quite literally). Cristiana Tiberio farms high up in the hills of Cugnoli, the Montepulciano grape’s historic home. Cool nights and fresh Adriatic breezes stretch the growing season, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and gently, developing serious concentration, balance and complexity along the way. Cristiana doesn’t do shortcuts - the wine is aged only in stainless steel to preserve the beautiful fruit purity, freshness and sense of place. The result is a deep, vibrant red, with gorgeous flavours of juicy blackberry, coffee and dark chocolate. It finishes smooth and spicy with a lovely freshness. The Wall Street Journal declared it ‘Italy’s best bargain in red wine now’. And at €21.86 for members, it might just be WineSpark’s now too!