Tiberio 2020 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC 750ml

[2019 vintage] The 2019 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo has a dark and impenetrable deep purple color. In the glass the 2019 develops an intense display of crushed rocks, savory exotic spice, lavender and black raspberries. This is velvety and rich in texture. It drenches the palate in a concentrated wave of ripe wild berry fruits, with brisk acids working to offset the wine's youthful, primary vigour. There’s an inner sweetness here, which can currently be sensed more than tasted, along with notes of sweet herbs, violets and wild botanicals. The 2019 finishes structured, almost chewy and incredibly persistent. This is far from your average bottle of Montepulciano, and it will require a few years to come fully into focus. In 2019, Tiberio lost about 40% of their Montepulciano crop due to the cold temperatures in May. This wine shows that natural selection through its intensity, making this vintage something of a rare bird and one to seek.

-- Eric Guido, Vinous, 2021