2008 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Santa Maria dell'Arco, Faraone, Abruzzo
About this WINE
Faraone, Abruzzo
The Faraone family produces traditional Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wines. Their 9ha property is now focused on the new ‘Collepietro’ vineyard at Mosciano Sant’Angelo in the Colline Teramane DOCG zone of Abruzzo, some 10 miles from the Adriatic.
Faraone’s story dates back to 1916, and particularly to the 1930s when Montepulciano, Sangiovese and Passerina were first planted; bottling started in 1970. Giovanni Faraone makes the wine, aided by his wife Paola & sons Alfonso & Federico; the latter an oenologist who’s worked in France and New Zealand before taking up a post in Umbria. They also make a fine Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, Passerina and Pecorino.
Montepulciano
The Montepulciano grape stands as a cornerstone of Italian viticulture, flourishing in Central and Eastern Italy. Despite its name, it maintains no genetic ties to the renowned Tuscan town of Montepulciano nor its celebrated Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which predominantly features Sangiovese. Renowned for its adaptability, Montepulciano thrives in a spectrum of soil types and climates. Exhibiting robust growth characteristics, it yields generously and matures late in the season, offering winemakers flexibility in cultivation and harvest.
The heartland of Montepulciano lies in the Abruzzo district, where its flagship incarnation, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, reigns supreme. Here, it delivers wines of remarkable character and distinction. In the Marche region, it harmonises with Sangiovese to craft illustrious blends such as Rosso Conero and Rosso Piceno, showcasing its versatility and capacity for nuanced expression.
Montepulciano wines typically embody a light to medium-bodied profile, brimming with fruit-forward flavours. Often characterised by gentle tannins and moderate acidity, they offer immediate pleasure and accessibility, best enjoyed in their youth. Yet, a select cadre of visionary producers employs low-yielding old vines, crafting 100% Montepulciano wines that undergo meticulous oak ageing. These esteemed bottlings defy convention, evolving gracefully in the bottle over a decade or more, unfurling layers of complexity and refinement.
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Description
Faraone’s story dates back to 1916, first planting Montepulciano, Sangiovese and Passerina in the 1930s and starting to bottle the wines in 1970. Giovanni Faraone makes the wine, aided by his wife Paola and sons, Alfonso and Federico.
Broad, deep, bright mulberry-red; the nose of this late-release, single-vineyard 2008 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is emphatic, with plenty of beady red and black damson fruit, along with sapid sea salt and a whiff of pine. It’s got that tell-tale sooty and menthol ripeness too. The palate is suave, restrained and grown-up, juicy with fleshy damson fruit and raspberry crunch. This is ready to go, complete with molten tannins, lively fruit and freshness.
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