Tiberio - Montepulciano 2022
Price: $31.99
Sale Price: $25.95
6+ Price: $23.99 / btl
| Producer | Tiberio |
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| Country | Italy |
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| Region | Abruzzo |
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| Varietal | Montepulciano |
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| Vintage | 2022 |
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| Sku | 14366 |
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| Size | 750ml |
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Montepulciano suffers from a bad reputation. Twenty years ago or so, the wine was extremely popular as an all-purpose Italian table red. Pizza, pasta, etc. And rightfully so… the wines imported were simple, easy to enjoy, and cheap.
Of course, like any good wine region, these cheap bottles weren’t reflective of the entirety of the appellation. That’s like saying all California wines are the quality level of Two Buck Chuck.
Oh, and inflation… according to the US Dept. of Labor, something that cost $11.99 in 2000 would cost $19.75 today! Yikes.
So, how ‘bout we set aside our notions of what Montepulciano was and should cost and appreciate this bottle for what it is? And what is that? An absolutely stunning bottle of wine!
From the Abruzzo hills outside of the seaside town of Pescara, just 23 miles from the sea and 1200 ft above sea level. This beautiful Montepulciano comes from a 12 hectare plot of 52 year old vines planted in clay and chalk soils, farming is organic as it is with all of Tiberio’s estate vineyards. Montepulciano is typically a high yielding grape, but the old vines and higher elevation make all the difference here, producing a smaller crop of intensely flavorful grapes.
There’s no oak used in making the wine, so we get a pure expression of the grape and the region. Aromas of wild red cherry, blueberry, violets and flinty minerals, very pure and refined. A juicy palate follows with a bevy of fresh red fruits, and soft smooth well integrated tannins that build on the tongue into a long finish that’s fresh with minerals. I love the lift and vibrancy of this wine, its very approachable and can I say crushable? Yeah, makes you want to kick back and have a glass or two. It’d be great with a light chill on a warm day. Good for grilling, pizza, pasta. Danielle had it with a grilled cheese sandwich!
“Honestly, I would pair this with any meal, but it’s perfect with comfort food. Something rich and cheesy with this is right up my alley. It’s smooth and approachable. The fruit is juicy, but the finish is still dry. Great for Italian red wine lovers!” – Danielle Cantagallo, Chapel Hill Wine Company
Vinous Media: 94 Points
“Spicy to the core, the 2022 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wafts up with a blend of crushed cherries and wild berries, dusty violets, lavender and traces of incense. This is elegant in feel with silken textures and rich red and blue fruits. A crisp mineral sensation forms toward the close. The 2022 leaves the palate drenched in primary concentration, finishing with edgy tannins offset by a spike of residual acidity. Frankly, it’s incredible that this is Tiberio’s entry-level red, as the 2022 displays impressive depth and complexity. It’s also a tremendous value. This is the total package. Drink 2025-2032” - Eric Guido,
Decanter: 91 Points
"Sourced from a mix of older and younger vines, this has the variety's classic plummy and chocolatey character at its core, wrapped up in a really fresh and zippy jacket, lively and finessed. Dark berries and cherries with chocolate and herbs lead to some salted plum and silky tannins. Delicious! Drinking window 2025-2028 “ James Button
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