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B-21 Top Recommendation
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Among the rarest and highly allocated red wines of Italy, these impeccably aged Montepulciano d'Abruzzo selections from Emidio Pepe are meticulously crafted to offer the purest and most complex expression of the Montepulciano grape, all one of a kind, limited releases offering Italian wine lovers a unique opportunity to be "wowed" by Pepe's legendary wines and a must for serious collectors to acquire without hesitation.
Located on a hilltop with stunning views of Abruzzo's rolling countryside, the cellars of Emidio Pepe are filled with more than 350,000 bottles that have been reserved from recent vintages for extended cellaring and a library of back vintages that are released in small quantities each year, "essentially time capsules of the grape" according to Vinous critic Eric Guido, all pristinely aged to develop extraordinary complexity. Sourced from around three hectares of biodynamically farmed vineyards in Teramo in northern Abruzzo, the grapes for the Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Vecchie Vigne come from old vines around 50 years of age planted in clay and limestone soils, with temperatures moderated by the Apennine mountains to the north and nearby Adriatic Sea. Harvesting and crushing the grapes by hand, the old vine Montepulciano is fermented spontaneously with natural yeasts and aged completely without oak, spending 24 months in glass-lined cement tanks before extended cellar aging in bottle of over five years, each library bottle decanted by hand into a new bottle and sealed with a new cork bearing the date of decanting upon its release. The powerfully aromatic 94 pt. 2003 Vecchie Vigne is a "dark, imposing Montepulciano" that "comes together beautifully in the glass" according to Antonio Galloni, while the muscular 95 pt. 2001 Vecchie Vigne is "rich and dense" with a decades' long aging potential, a library selection that was decanted and recorked. Also from the library, the stunning 97 pt. 2000 Vecchie Vigne is described as a "big, powerful wine packed with dark fruit" by Galloni.
Celebrating over 50 years as Abruzzo's most iconic winery and a favorite of wine critics and insiders alike, these selections of Emidio Pepe's legendary Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Vecchie Vigne are the region's most coveted and longest-lived wines, this small release certain to sell out quickly and be savored by a fortunate few. |
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One of the best trebbianos out there, this is agreeable and limpid. Light gold hue, with savory aromas of umami, miso, dried lemon peel, minerals, refreshing yuzu tea and hints of nougat and macadamia nuts. Fresh, medium- to full-bodied and naturally flavorful, with a composed mouthfeel despite the bright acidity. This is quite effortless, sleek and long in the finish. So delicious now, but can hold.
97 points, Zekun Shuai, James Suckling (Feb 2026)
Wonderfully floral and complex, the 2021 Trebbiano d'Abruzzo continues to improve in bottle with a perfumed bouquet that mixes apricot with crushed almond, yellow flowers and white smoke. This soothes the palate with its enveloping textures as a tinge of candied citrus enlivens ripe green apple and melon tones. It leaves the palate completely refreshed with a spike of acidity and mineral concentration, adding a crisp feel. Although enjoyable today, the 2021 is positioned for greatness over time.
94 points, Eric Guido, Vinous (May 2025)
Emidio Pepe, born in 1932, lives by his motto ‘in wine, life’. His respect for his 18 hectares of vineyards, Abruzzo’s traditional winegrowing values, and certified organic and biodynamic techniques results in wines with a distinctive, genuine character. This Trebbiano, trodden by foot, is fermented in concrete vats where it ages for two years. Broom, golden plum and white pepper aromas lead to a delightfully savoury, full-bodied mouth, vibrant with vintage charm and pleasing balance.
94 points, Alessandra Piubello, Decanter (Jul 2023)
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