Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano D'abruzzo

The farmstead of Zaccagnini was founded in 1978 as a family-run winery, and today produces about 500,000 bottles per year from 100% handpicked grapes. While Abruzzo doesn’t attract Hollywood celebrities fleeing the spotlight or even many tourists it has one claim to fame: Marcello Zaccagnini and his winemaker, Concezio Marulli, who are eliciting nectar from its rough hills. Marcello grew up as a farmer working in the vineyards owned by his father, growing grapes to sell to local winemakers. In 1977, barely into his twenties, Marcello determined that if no one would buy their grapes, he would work with his father to make the wine themselves. Cantina Zaccagnini is made of 100% Montepulciano and was aged traditionally in Slavonic oak. The resulting wines tend to be softer and more accessible than Chianti or Nebbiolo, with lower acidity and mild sweeter tannins.

Intense violet robe. Aromas of plums and ripe blackberry. Each sip delivers a mouthful of ripe berries, leather and black pepper with subtle hints of oregano, dried herbs, and a touch of vanilla; all leading to a dry, supple finish.