“Branella Vecchie Vigne” Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC 2021

Emidio Pepe | Abruzzo
Az. Agr. Emidio Pepe | Contrada Chiesi, 10 | IT 64010 Torano Nuovo

12112321 · 0,75 l · 172,00 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shipping< 24 units available
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Just 300 metres from Casa pepand yet a completely different world: Branella, 2 hectares acquired by Emidio pepin 1981 – a vineyard that had already been planted in 1966 and was registered in the 1984 land register. The south-western orientation differs from Casa pepdirect southern exposure, and while silt dominates there, Branella shows an extraordinary geological diversity within the plot: In the northern, higher part, classic "speckled" blue-toned marl, in the centre a pronounced sandy zone with a lower, almost neutral pH, underneath deeper deposits of clay and calcium carbonate. The sandier, cooler soils allow the roots to penetrate deeply, while the mottled lenses of precipitated limestone create a different perception of acidity and freshness. Chiara pepand geologist Brenna Quigley realised in their multi-year study that these terroir-related differences justify vinifying Branella as a wine in its own right – a wine that does not possess the exuberant power of Casa pep, but rather agility, precision and a faster rhythm.

The vinification follows the same uncompromising philosophy as all pep: hand-picked grapes are destemmed by hand and fermented spontaneously in 2,Liters tanks with whole berries. The high fermentation temperatures promote the polymerisation of the tannins, but the result is different at Branella – the sandier soils give the tannins a fine, taut structure instead of the fleshy fullness of Casa pep. The wine matures for 18 to 24 months in glass-lined cement tanks before being bottled unfiltered and unfined. The 2021 vintage was characterised by very rapid, vigorous vegetative development after a late bud break on 13 April and suddenly warm temperatures – abundant underground water and May temperatures that were 5°C higher than the previous year. The summer was relatively warm and dry, leading to very slow véraison until a decisive rain arrived on 27 July, followed by weekly showers until harvest, giving the vines just the water they needed for the final phase of phenolic ripening.

The 2021 Branella shows a deep garnet red colour in the glass and unfolds a bouquet of dark intensity and floral brightness: fresh black cherry and plum merge with a hint of redcurrant and floral accents of violets. Mineral notes of limestone and a hint of tar lend depth to the bouquet, while the fruit remains juicy and concentrated. On the palate, this Branella is taut and focused, with remarkable precision: the fruit is vibrant and bright, carried by a lively acidity that gives the wine freshness and energy. The tannins are fine but firm, elegantly structured and with a certain vigour that gives the wine its tension. Black cherry and blackberry dominate, accompanied by subtle tarry notes and a chalky minerality that gives the wine coolness and clarity. The finish is long and expressive, with a beautiful grip and a purity that emphasises the elegance of this exceptional wine. A Montepulciano with an impressive balance between power and finesse – fuller and richer than the younger 2022, but already with that characteristic Branella precision that distinguishes it from Casa pep. A wine that will grow majestically in complexity over the next 20 to 30 years. SUPERIORE.DE

"The recently bottled 2021 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Vecchie Vigne Branella is savoury and floral, with an earthy blend of crushed rock, iron, freshly worked earth and dried black cherries. This wine is characterised by its vibrant, ripe blackberry and exotic spices. Sour citrus fruit contrasts with the grippy tannins, which increase towards the end. On the final, the 2021 is pleasantly chewy and structured with silty tannins. The 2021 finishes incredibly long with a bitter blackberry concentration and violet floral notes. The warmth of the vintage can be felt in the tannins, but the balance is skilfully maintained." Vinous