Masciarelli Montepulciano 2017

In a span of only 30 miles between the Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic Sea, Masciarelli has carefully assembled 60 specific sites averaging just 5 acres and spread across the diverse soils and altitudes of the 4 provinces of Abruzzo. These vineyards are farmed sustainably, and the 9 specific vineyards that bear fruit for this wine range in altitude from 435 to 1,200 feet, planted on soils of calcareous clay, and in a combination of traditional pergola as well as spur cordon and single guyot training that Gianni Masciarelli pioneered in the region.

The second smallest vintage in Italy since the 1940s, 2017 saw the yields of some regions 30% lower than normal. Dry and warm winter, but a record snowfall in Abruzzo. Early bud break again and then frost. A little rain in spring but mostly characterized by warm spring and summer. Harvest was warm and grape bunches were small. Clemency; a little rain and cooler temperatures at harvest. In the end, only the healthiest grapes were harvest, resulting in aromatic whites and structured reds.