Emidio Pepe : Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 1982

Emidio Pepe is a legend in Abruzzo producing amazingly complex, age worthy reds and whites in a region of mass produced versions of Montepulciano and Trebbiano. The Pepe family has winemaking roots dating back to the 19th century, and remains unchanged philosophically since Emidio Pepe took over in 1964. Farmed biodynamically, the Pepe vineyards are located in the northern province of Teramo, with siliceous soils rich in lime and iron. Hand harvested, hand destemmed, naturally fermented in glass-lined tanks for 24 months, the Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is bottled unfined and unfiltered without any added SO2 and aged in their cellar in bottle for years before release. Before release the wines are decanted by hand into new bottles, an extensive stock of older vintages are kept at their cellars. The 1982 Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is a superb wine that is drinking at its peak. A lovely bouquet of red cherries, orange peel, olive, leather and hints of soil fill the glass. The palate is elegant, round, and mature, filled with chocolate, leather and red plums wrapped in silky tannin. A magnificent wine that needs no accompaniment.