2021 Pepe, Emidio - Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC Casa Pepe (750ml)
Emidio Pepe’s 2021 Casa Pepe bottling captures the distinct terroir of Abruzzo’s blue clay-marl soils through meticulous biodynamic farming and extended cement-tank aging.
Grown on pergola-trained vines planted between 1970 and 1974 just outside Torano Nuovo, this single-vineyard Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC benefits from heat-retaining marl and silt that stretch the growing season into late autumn. The fruit undergoes traditional foot-treading and ferments exclusively with native yeasts before maturing in cement vats for two years. Bottled strictly unfined and unfiltered, each bottle is hand-decanted at the point of sale to maintain its suspended lees and structural clarity.
In the glass, the wine presents a deep ruby core with garnet rim highlights. The aromatic profile opens with fresh rose and violet florals that layer into ripe blackberry, wet slate minerality, and damp earth, all of which deepen noticeably as the wine aerates. On the palate, firm yet well-integrated tannins frame a velvety midsection supported by bright acidity. A long, persistent finish carries concentrated dark fruit and dried herb nuances.
Serving & Cellaring Guidance
- Food Pairings: Traditional red meats including roast lamb, braised beef shanks, roasted game, or aged Pecorino Romano. Abruzzese ragù also mirrors the wine’s earthy backbone.
- Decanting: Pour steadily through a decanter to manage natural sediment and accelerate oxygenation before drinking.
- Cellaring: Designed for long-term evolution; store horizontally in a temperature-stable cellar and revisit over the next decade for optimal complexity.