Masciarelli

Villa Gemma Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva 2015

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

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Villa Gemma is the wine that announced Abruzzo to the world, showcasing what the region and grapes of Abruzzo could produce. Villa Gemma Montepulciano Riserva is the only Italian wine with 14 consecutive Tre Bicchieri awards and, more importantly, was the wine that established Abruzzo as capable of making truly distinct, extraordinary wines. Villa Gemma Montepulciano Riserva is a powerfully – almost undeniably – intense wine of character and complexity.

VINEYARD

Montepulciano from the Colle Cave vineyard in Chieti, the vineyard above and behind the house of Gianni’s grandfather,and where his grandfather first started making wine in 1930. This steep-sloped site consists of limestone, clay and gravel, and the traditional pergola vine training is abandoned here for the French Guyot training system.

WINEMAKING

A mixture of tradition and innovation is employed for the Villa Gemma Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. First, the must is macerated and fermented in 3-5,000L botti before being transferred to new French barriques for 18-24 months and another 24- 36 months in bottle before release.

TASTING NOTE

A deep ruby red with purple reflections, with bouquets of intense and persistent ripe red fruits on the nose. Spices, black pepper, cocoa, licorice and dried fruits on the palate.

Color

Red

Grape Varieties

Montepulciano

Appellation

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Alcohol

14.5%

Suggested Retail Price

$95.00

Reviews

"Full and enveloping"

Wine Enthusiast - January 26, 2021 Cellar Selection  "This top-of-the-line Montepulciano impresses in rich aromas of cocoa, cigar box, dill and anise that meld into a deep well of brandy-soaked black cherry and dark plum. It's full and enveloping on the palate yet foursquare in nature, built by small-grained, polished tannins and integrated acidity that frame densely packed dark fruit. Spiced plums linger on the long finish, indicating that this will hold well in the cellar."

"Rich and dense"

Vinous - April 7, 2021 "The 2015 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva opens slowly in the glass, as citrus-tinged blackberries give way to exotic spices, hints of cocoa and camphor. This is velvety in texture with a rich and dense display of ripe dark fruits and licorice. Its web of grippy tannins are hardly noticeable, until it’s too late, as the cheeks pucker under the 2015’s youthful structure. Even though it is monolithic today, there are depths still unseen here that will require further cellaring to come forward."

"Fresh and lightly mouthwatering"

Wine Spectator - May 7, 2021 "A rich, medium- to full-bodied red, with flashy vanilla and oak spice on the nose that transitions to a subtle, aromatic thread on the palate, winding through flavors of saturated blackberry, pipe smoke, fig cake and a touch of ganache. Fresh and lightly mouthwatering, with fine-grained tannins and a tang of iron-laced mineral emerging on the finish." - AN

"A total stunner and so energetic"

Vinous - October 10, 2022 "The 2015 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva seduces with an array of exotic sweet spice, medicinal cherries and minty herbs that form its bouquet. This is juicy yet deep with masses of ripe red fruits energized by lively acidity as inner rose tones form over a coating of fine yet sweet tannins. A bitter twang mixes with hints of sour citrus through the long and lightly structured finale, creating a truly harmonious finish. The 2015 is a total stunner and so energetic." - E.G 8/22

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Trade Materials

Other Wines by this Producer

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Masicarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is the benchmark for Montepulciano in Italy and the world. Pioneering winemaker Gianni Masciarelli, who put winemaking Abruzzo on the map, elevated the wines from his native region to new heights, and his Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is a tribute to his home as well as a perfect introduction to the grape and to Abruzzo. This wine shows how, when handled with care, the late ripening Montepulciano grape  produces refined wines of soft acidity, ripe and moderate tannins, and bright red berry and cherry notes with a distinct, spicy character.

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

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Trebbiano is the white grape that Gianni Masciarelli fought so hard to legitimize. In Abruzzo, the specific clone is different than the high yielding, sometimes simple version of the grape found elsewhere in Italy. On Abruzzo's soils, this variety of Trebbiano creates immensely expressive, a touch opulent, and age-wort wines.

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Colline Teatine IGT

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Villa Gemma Abruzzo Bianco

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Perhaps the finest rosé production area in Italy, and one of the few appellations dedicated only to rosé, Cerasuolo has a long history of producing serious rosé, and showcasing how well the Montepulciano grape is adapted to rosé. Masciarelli first produced this wine in 1986, only 5 years after the winery was founded. With deep fruit and structure but no shortage of pleasure, it is a rosé you can take to the dinner table.