2018 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

La Valentina is located in the hills overlooking Spoltore, within the province of Pescara, as the foothills on the Apennines give way to the Adriatic coast. The winery currently oversees fifty hectares through organic principals, split up between two locations. The first resides on hills surrounding the winery, at an average elevation of 175 meters, and is influenced by the cooling currents of the mountains to the west and the warming sea breezes from the east. The second is located in the more mountainous area of San Valentino, at elevations between 250 and 400 meters, with higher average temperatures but with cooling influences overnight. I’ve always found the portfolio to be one that successfully achieves a balance of ripe Montepulciano fruit, vibrant mineral-tinged acidity and just a hint of stylistic winemaking. The entry-level Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is always a fresh and energetic effort, and it’s also a great value. However, it’s the Spelt that is usually the real head-turner here. This rich and sumptuous effort matures for sixteen months in a combination of 25-hectolitre Slavonian oak, second-pass barrique and tonneaux before being blended into large barrels for another few months of refinement. The result is a classically-dry Montepulciano, packed with primary fruit and capable of medium-term cellaring. The single-vineyard Bellovedere, from the subzone of Terre dei Vestini, shows a bit more of its élevage in the final blend, yet it does so in balanced style. While I’m not the biggest fan of barrique in Montepulciano, there’s no denying how enjoyable one can be when done right. If you’re looking for an Abruzzo producer to bank on, keep La Valentina on your list.