Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2018 DOC - Emidio Pepe

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2018 – Emidio Pepe

Emidio Pepe is one of the names that shaped the history of Abruzzo wine. At Torano Nuovo, in the Teramo hills between the Gran Sasso and the Adriatic, it was he who in 1964 stopped selling in bulk and began bottling his own Montepulciano. He passed away in July 2026 aged 94, leaving the estate to his daughters and his granddaughter Chiara, the winemaker.

The method has remained artisanal: organic and biodynamic farming, hand harvesting, spontaneous fermentation in small concrete tanks, no oak at all. The wine is bottled unfiltered and evolves slowly in the bottle; it may throw a natural deposit and benefits from decanting.

2018, a cooler and wetter year than the previous one, gave a more streamlined, juicy Montepulciano: cherry, blackberry, violet, earthy notes and firm but less massive tannins, with lively acidity carrying the palate. Already enjoyable after some aeration, it still has plenty to say in the years ahead. With grilled meats, mutton ragù and aged pecorino.

At a glance: Montepulciano 100% · 14% ABV · 0.75 l · Emidio Pepe, Torano Nuovo (TE)