Description
Torre dei Beati Cocciapazza Riserva Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is an exceptional, well-aged organic red wine crafted in the Loreto Aprutino municipality of Abruzzo, Italy. Produced by Fausto and Adriana Albanesi at their renowned Torre dei Beati estate, this flagship Riserva showcases the profound depth and complexity possible from the Montepulciano grape. Sourced from the estate’s oldest single-vineyard plot, it offers a powerful, harmonious drinking experience that reflects both mountain freshness and warm Adriatic sun.
Why You’ll Love It
This wine stands out for its monumental structure, velvety texture, and refined maturity. Meaning ‘crazy heads’, the Cocciapazza vineyard is famous for its extreme day-to-night temperature variations and stony soils, yielding grapes of remarkable concentration. Having benefited from extensive cellaring and extended ageing in French oak barrels, the wine has developed fascinating tertiary notes alongside its silky tannins, making it a benchmark expression of beautifully aged Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.
Vineyard & Production
The grapes are hand-selected from the Cocciapazza single vineyard, situated 250 metres above sea level near the foot of the Gran Sasso mountain range. The organically farmed vines, planted in 1972, produce very low yields of intensely flavoured fruit. Following a rigorous selection, the grapes undergo fermentation and long maceration in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged for approximately 20 months in French oak barriques, followed by a significant period of bottle maturation to foster deep tertiary development prior to release.
Tasting Notes
In the glass, it presents an opaque, deep ruby colour with garnet highlights at the rim. The nose is rich, complex, and evolving, bursting with ripe marasca cherry and blackberry preserve alongside pronounced tertiary aromas of pipe tobacco, dried herbs, leather, forest floor, and dark chocolate. On the palate, it is full-bodied, dense, and mouth-coating, supported by broad, fully integrated tannins and a vibrant line of natural acidity. The finish is remarkably long, savoury, and persistent, echoing sweet wood spice and earthy complexity.
Perfect Pairings
With its robust structure, aged elegance, and savoury tertiary profile, this mature Montepulciano Riserva is a magnificent partner for rich red meats and game. It pairs exceptionally well with slow-roasted leg of lamb, wild boar ragù with pappardelle, grilled Florentine T-bone steak, and braised beef shanks. It is also an ideal companion for mature hard cheeses such as Pecorino Abruzzese, aged Parmesan, or sharp Cheddar.
Grape Varieties
100% Montepulciano
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