Masciarelli

The Gianni Masciarelli line is intended to embody the typicality of the region, and so this Rosato is powerful and full-bodied, as you would expect from the grape variety and terroir. Intense cherry pink. Delicately fruity-spicy aroma, robust on the palate with plenty of structure. Finishes with a fine minerality and berry fruit. SUPERIORE.DE

Classic Trebbiano d'Abruzzo with fresh aromas of citrus and flowers. Young, agile and varietal in taste. Correctly vinified at an unbeatable price. SUPERIORE.DE

Classic Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, emphatically fresh and not too heavy. Small red berries and spices on the nose, harmonious and round on the palate. Great value. SUPERIORE.DE

"Super-ripe character to the crushed-berry aromas, padded out with some loamy notes. Medium-bodied with the same fruit and clay-like notes, which coat the tannins and provide a soft yet lightly firm feel on the palate. Good length and balance. Noble expression of this appellation. Lovely to drink now, but this will benefit from a little more time in bottle." James Suckling

Pure-varietal Rosato made from Montepulciano grapes: strong bright cherry-pink, fresh fruity, floral scent, notes of red berries and a hint of citrus and blood orange. Supple, juicy and full-bodied on the palate. SUPERIORE.DE

"Opening to a dark ruby color with raspberry pink highlights, the Masciarelli 2020 Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Superiore Villa Gemma is fresh and lively with plenty of wild berry, cherry and rose-like aromas. The wine flaunts a youthful primary intensity, with fresh acidity, which makes it a simple joy to drink, especially if a plate of fried olives or mozzarella fritters is on the table. There's plenty of fresh acidity to bring out the flavors in those fun finger foods." Robert Parker

"The wickedly fresh 2020 Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Villa Gemma leads with dusty red florals, dried strawberries and sweet white smoke. It fills the palate with fleshy textures contrasted by zesty acids and spice. Tart cherry and hints of blueberry collect toward the close, along with hints of round tannin. This is persistent and lightly structured, yet it still buzzes with energy, making the 2020 an excellent option for drinking now or through short-term cellaring. Nicely done." Vinous

"Light red-cherry color with aromas of strawberries and raspberries, as well as a touch of red peach. Medium-bodied with a good core of red-fruit flavor and clean acidity pushing it along. Super-clean, refreshing and delicious." James Suckling

The white cuvée Villa Gemma made of predominantly Trebbiano smells pleasantly of peach, mint and flowers. Structured and graceful, with a mineral note, flattering and long flowing fresh taste. Excellent value! SUPERIORE.DE

"A tasty and well-balanced blend of local white grapes, trebbiano, cococciola and pecorino here. Medium-bodied with a lovely, tight and fresh bead of apple and citrus fruit channeling through the palate and providing a long finish. Super wine with lots of local character, yet refined in its delivery." James Suckling

Castello di Semivicoli is a great Rosso from the Chieti area and Masciarelli's first red wine cuvée. The vines in the vineyards of the province of L'Aquila were planted by Gianni Masciarelli in 2003. Medium-bodied purple red. On the nose black berries and nice peppery notes with some tobacco, violets and vanilla. Powerful and silky on the palate, polished tannin and a wonderfully fruity finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"There's a lightly decadent, floral edge to the mixed berries on the nose that translates into bright berries, fresh herbs and minerals on the medium-bodied palate with lightly firm tannins and clean acidity that together spur it on." James Suckling

The Trebbiano Castello di Semivicoli, matured without the use of barrels, exudes an aromatic fragrance of ripe peach, mint and flowers, with mineral notes mixed in. Firm, rich, graceful and elegant on the palate. SUPERIORE.DE

"Nose with pear, nectarine, grassy notes. Citrus acidity with a hint of honey on the palate. Spice warmth to finish." Decanter

"Sliced apple, lemon zest and wet stone. Full-to medium-bodied with layers of fruit, as well as dried apple and pear. Some saltiness." James Suckling

Powerful, concentrated Montepulciano with elegant wood notes and multi-layered fruit aromas, true to the terroir and modern. Impressive richness that offers further palate pleasures with every sip. Equally impressive is the long and complex finish. One of the greatest Montepulciano of the region every year. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich, dark shining garnet. In the nose of rich, noble cherries, intense fragrance, rich bouquet with dried rose petal, ripe raspberry, forest fruits, undergrowth. Full and clear on the palate with great structure, taut with ripe red fruit, punchy, already harmonious, with persistence." Falstaff

"Aromas of brandy-soaked dark cherry, anise, allspice and chopped mint show depth, concentration and purity in this Montepulciano that sees time in French oak. It's rich in feel on the palate, but counterbalanced by a bright core of acidity that pushes along the dense berry and spice flavors. There's a polish to it all that makes it accessible in the near term, but it would also hold well through 2028." Wine Enthusiast

"Complex aromas of crushed black fruit, dried lemon peel, kalonji seeds and more if you linger. Full-bodied palate, where the intense fruit coats the medium-grain tannins on the center-palate and continues to push through the wall as the tannins firm up towards the end. The finish is already long and fruity and will only lengthen as the wine matures in bottle. Super quality here. Try from 2024." James Suckling

Dark ruby garnet, delicately spicy bouquet, juicy cherry notes and delicate caramel. Of elegant texture, with firm tannins and well structured. A round wine and ideal accompaniment to food. SUPERIORE.DE

"This is a stand-up Merlot that delivers no more and no less that you should expect of the grape. The Marina Cvetić 2015 Merlot (from the IGT Terre Aquilane appellation) is a soft and layered expression with lots of ripe fruit and sweet back-end notes of cherry and blackberry. The wine's texture is loosely knit and bold, with a broad and wide approach. You get the softness of the sunny 2015 vintage contrasted against the fortitude and stubbornness of the Abruzzo wine character." Robert Parker

Marina Cvetics Trebbiano Riserva - dream and cult for lovers of full-bodied white wines. In bouquet and taste, aromas of nougat, almond, honey, coconut and vanilla spread out. Gently, the balsamic-like texture conquers the palate and ends in a long finish on crème caramel. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2019 Trebbiano d'Abruzzo Riserva is a fruit-forward and extroverted expression with notes of baked apple, dried nectarines, almond paste and honied florals. This is silky and enveloping, balanced by stimulating acidity with a savory, almost-salty mix of mineral-tinged orchard fruits and hints of ginger. There's the slightest hint of perceptible heat to contend with here, yet it doesn't get in the way, as a twang of zesty citrus reverberates through the long and structured finale. A full minute goes by as you notice a note of roasted hazelnut continues to linger. There's so much pleasure to be found here already that it's hard to imagine cellaring the 2019, yet a few years are sure to bring even further depths." Vinous

"A mosaic of grapey fruit, gooseberries, green cardamom and river stones on the nose, following through to a medium-bodied palate with plenty of fruit, herb and mineral aromas to keep the interest up through the long finish. More restrained on the palate than usual this year, but very good." James Suckling

"The Marina Cvetić 2019 Trebbiano d'Abruzzo Riserva shows a luminous, honey-like color with rich aromas of poached pear and Golden Delicious apple. Those orchard fruit aromas are especially typical of Trebbiano, but of course this more sophisticated wine benefits from oak spice and barrel aging to offer more complexity and greater fruit weight. Indeed, this is a medium-weight white wine with the structure and staying power to pair with spicy foods or even a more robust white meat dish." Robert Parker

Great Chardonnay, smelling of tropical fruits and sweet spices. Opulent taste, in which a pleasant acidity builds up. Harmonious, luxurious Chardonnay from the barrique and one of the classics of Southern Italy. SUPERIORE.DE

"All the typical apple and pie-crust character of chardonnay is tightly bound up in this medium-to full-bodied white, showing such natural verve and vibrancy and remaining fresh throughout. Very classy. Perhaps this will expand with time, but it's irresistible now." James Suckling

Villa Gemma Montepulciano exudes the scent of blackcurrants and ripe plums after its 24-month ageing in barriques, the strong taste is wonderfully spicy, soft and long. SUPERIORE.DE

"The grapes are harvested in the vineyards of San Martino sulla Marrucina on a single site near the winery's headquarters: Engaging cherry-vanilla aroma; juicy and powerful in the mouth, well structured with fine-grained tannins and exceedingly polished style, jammy and menthol notes characterise the long finish." Vinum

"Dark, almost impenetrable garnet. Very rich nose, of noble wood spice, lime, ripe heart cherries, cassis and some mint in the aftertaste, still needs to settle down a bit. On the palate dense and grippy with currently still strongly perceptible wood spice, thereby delicately drying, yet powerful and mighty, with still some rest excellent foresight." Falstaff

"Polished nose of ripe plums, vanilla, milk chocolate and some dried fruit peel, too. It's full-bodied and creamy with velvety, smooth tannins. Lots of chocolate and plummy layers that are smooth and decadent without being overripe. Will be even better after another two or three years in bottle." James Suckling

"Fragrant fresh and vibrant blackberry and cranberry nose with leather and balsamic undertones. Spicy and vibrant with a big structure and fresh fruit concentration." Decanter

Over the course of three decades, Gianni Masciarelli has created one of the leading wineries in Italy. He died far too early in the summer of 2008, his love was for the landscape, the people and the grape varieties of Abruzzo. For the wines he always chose Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and Trebbiano d'Abruzzo.

Today the winery is successfully continued by Giannis wife, Marina Cvetic and daughter Miriam. And they vinify with "La Botte di Gianni" his vision of Trebbiano and Montepulciano.

3 bottles of 0,75l | Trebbiano d'Abruzzo "La Botte di Gianni" Riserva DOC 2010

Of a rich straw yellow colour, clean, aromatic bouquet of ripe tropical fruit. On the palate very full-bodied, but beautifully clear, long finish. Finest Riserva quality. SUPERIORE.DE

"This shows the magic of whites from Abruzzo: bright and brilliant and intense with sliced limes, apples and minerals. Its full-bodied and wonderful acidity gives this wine tension and brightness. Named after the late Gianni Masciarelli, founder of the winery, only 892 bottles were produced of these. Think grand cru Chablis." James Suckling

3 bottles of 0,75l | Montepulciano d'Abruzzo "La Botte di Gianni" Riserva DOC 2010

Deep dark ruby sparkling, aromas of blackberry, elderberry, leather and some cinnamon. Dense tannin on the palate, much depth, tightly structured, elegant enamel, long. Finest Riserva quality. SUPERIORE.DE

"With only 869 bottles produced, the 2010 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo La Botte di Gianni is dedicated to the winery's visionary founder. Gianni Masciarelli died of a sudden heart attack in 2008. This beautiful rendition speaks directly to the personality of the man. This is a strong, stubborn, energetic and complex red wine with thick layers of dark fruit, spice and cigar box. The wine shows a firm tannic background and an uncompromising style." Robert Parker