“Binomio” Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC 2021

Fattoria La Valentina & Az. Agr. Inama | Abruzzo
Fattoria La Valentina s.r.l. | Via della Torretta 52 | IT 65010 Spoltore

12072521 · 0,75 l · 46,67 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shippingavailable immediately

Düsseldorf, ProWein, 1997: Two men meet between the trade fair stands and tasting zones: Stefano Inama, who has given Garganega white wines a new dignity in Soave, and Sabatino Di Properzio, who is in the process of leading Fattoria La Valentina out of the shadow of Abruzzese mass production. What begins as an industry skirmish turns into a friendship – and an idea that Inama formulates with a joke: "Montepulciano is the Barolo of the south. We should do something together." Sabatino's answer, without hesitation: "Facciamo." Three years later, the two buy a vineyard in San Valentino in Abruzzo Citeriore at a forced sale that nobody wants. 4.2 hectares at an altitude of 350 metres, completely south-facing, at the foot of the Majella National Park – and planted with an ancient Montepulciano clone that was abandoned long ago due to its low yields. The grapes form two-lobed panicles reminiscent of the silhouette of the African continent: the "Clone Africa". Small-berried, thick-skinned, with a concentration that more modern clones cannot match. The vines, now over fifty years old, are rooted in loamy mid-mountain soil under the traditional Abruzzese pergola – and yield just 45 quintals per hectare.

What happens in the cellar combines precision with respect: hand-picking in small crates, selective destemming – only flawless grapes are allowed into the vertical fermentation tanks. The different parcels of the vineyard are vinified separately, separated according to the vigour of the vines and the fineness of the clays. After maceration, eighty per cent of the wine matures in barriques and tonneaux of various types, twenty per cent in concrete. Twelve months of ageing, then the decisive assemblage – and a further eighteen months of bottle ageing before the Binomio leaves the winery.

In the glass, the 2021 shows a deep, dense ruby red colour with a purple, viscous rim. Ripe blackberry, wild strawberry and clove open up a multi-layered bouquet that expands with air to include dark chocolate and graphite. Powerful yet supple, it spreads out on the palate – the tannins are ripe and tightly woven, the acidity precise, the finish long and aromatic. A wine that answers the question of how far Montepulciano d'Abruzzo can go when two visionaries find a vineyard that the world had forgotten. SUPERIORE.DE

"Deep, dark ruby red with brightening edges. Overripe strawberries, dried plums, vanilla pods and liquorice on the nose. Powerful on the palate, ripe tannins, chocolate and leather, slightly balsamic notes to the finish, balanced and persistent." Falstaff

"Broad and complex red with a velvety texture and good length. Dark berries, cooking spices, mocha, chocolate, nutmeg and earth on the nose. Full-bodied and structured with velvety tannins. Firm and dry at the end. Needs some time to soften." James Suckling

"Darkly floral, the 2021 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo smolders with a mix of grilled herbs, chalk dust, dried black cherries and clove. It is velvety in feel, with soft and enveloping textures and cool-toned wild berry fruits that swirl throughout. Seamless, without a hard edge in sight, the 2021 displays amazing lift and grace despite its tannic clout toward the close. The slightest touch of violet pastille lingers on. This vintage of Binomio steps lightly but has a lot to say." Vinous