Fantini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Fantini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is intense, persistent and fruity on the nose with notes of wild berries and vanilla. Full bodied, well balanced and slightly tannic on the palate with a clean, persistent aftertaste.

• Brand: Fantini
• Description: Dry Red
• Vintages Available: 2021
• Country, Region: Italy, Abruzzo
• Appellation: DOC
• Ratings: James Suckling: 90/100 (2019 Vintage), Wine Enthusiast 87/100 (2019 Vintage)

About the Producer

The Fantini Group has its head office in Castello Caldora, near Ortona, a coastal town in the Province of Chieti, Abruzzo.

Established in 1994, it soon became the leading wine producer in Abruzzo and Southern Italy, both in terms of volumes (24 million bottles) and quality. From the start the company attracted the attention of the industry’s main experts due to its modern entrepreneurial approach, strict quality standards and quick commercial penetration. 18 talented winemakers, all with international experience, produce high quality wines from six different regions in Central and Southern Italy: Abruzzo, Tuscany, Campania, Basilicata, Puglia and Sicily. The company has achieved worldwide recognition, as testified by the many acknowledgements received from wine critics, wine guides and in major international wine contests.

Farnese was named “Best Italian Producer” in 2016, 2017 and 2019 by a prominent Italian wine guide, Luca Maroni’s “Annuario dei Migliori Vini Italiani”. It was also declared “2017 Producer of the Year” by the important German wine competition “Mundus Vini” and by Belgian journalist Alain Bloeykens. Furthermore, its red wine “Edizione Cinque Autoctoni” – the company’s flagship – has been “Wine of the Year” for 9 years running. In recent years, over 70 gold medals and international trophies have enriched the company awards list, including its inclusion in the “Wine Spectator Top100”. Recently the company – thanks also to the participation of a large international equity fund – has completed the acquisition of a new cellar in Sardinia (“Atzei”) and in Spain (“Finca Fella”).

Grapes

100% Montepulciano

Vineyard

The production area is situated around Ortona and various neighbouring villages. The vineyards have a south-east exposure and the vines’ average age is 30-35 years. The training system is 92% “tendone” or “Abruzzo pergola” (bower), and 8% guyot. The soil’ composition varies from area to area but is mainly clay and/or limestone and the grapes are harvested in October/beginning of November, depending on the production area.

Vinification

More than 90% of the grapes are harvested by hand (machines are not able to harvest the “pergola” vines); once in the winery they are gently de-stemmed and crushed. The crushed grapes are conveyed into stainless steel tanks where a cold maceration occurs at 6°C for 24-36 hours, followed by a fermentation with maceration at 25-26 °C for about 15 days. During the fermentation with maceration several punching downs (done manually or semi-mechanically through pumps) are done, their number decreasing as the fermentation comes to an end.

Ageing

Ageing and malolactic fermentation occur in stainless steel tanks for 95% and only for 5% in oak barrels.

Tasting Notes

Fantini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is ruby red with garnet hues. On the nose, intense, persistent and fruity (red fruit, sour cherry, plum) with notes of wild berries and vanilla. Full bodied, well balanced and slightly tannic on the palate with a clean, persistent aftertaste.

Analysis

13% alcohol vol.

Food Suggestions

Fantini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is excellent with the Italian traditional cooking, especially with savoury main courses with tomato sauce, grilled or stewed meat.

Serving temperature: 16-18°C.

Cellar

Ready to drink now, it will keep well for another 2-3 years if Fantini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is suitably cellared.