Farnese Edizione Cinque Autoctoni Abruzzi Magnum  £65.63

FARNESE EDIZIONE CINQUE AUTOCTONI ABRUZZI MAGNUM

The Farnese group owns Gran Sasso, Vesevo, Zabù, Vigneti del Salento, Vigneti del Vulture, Cantina di Diomede and Tufarello, among others, but this is their flagship winery. Alberto Antonini oversees production, ensuring that these wines offer great quality, varietal character and value. Their elegant and striking packaging makes them stand out on the shelf or table.

Grapes for the Cinque Autoctoni are grown in the communes of Colonnella, Ortona, Sava and San Marzano. The Montepulciano and Sangiovese grapes are from the hills in Abruzzi which is situated at 300 metres above sea level. While the remaining varieties, which includes Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera, are grown in Southern Puglia. For this reason, the wine is classified as a Vino da Tavola. A deeply coloured, intense and powerful wine that is, according to its creator, Valentino Sciotti, 'a true taste of Southern Italy'

2016 was a challenging vintage in Abruzzo. The severe frost in April damaged some of the vineyards. Even the summer days were interrupted by periods of grey skies and misty rains, which persisted into the harvest. Yields were generally lower, and wines showed slightly less body and lower alcohol.

Grapes were pressed and destemmed before maceration and fermentation which lasted 25 days. Malolactic fermentation took place in new oak barriques, of which 60% were American and the remainder French. The wine remained in oak for 13 months. The varieties are aged separately before blending to create a rich and powerful, yet eminently drinkable wine.

This wine is deep ruby red in colour, with intense aromas of blackberry and cherry enriched with aromatic herbs, cinnamon, cocoa, liquorice and an interesting mineral note. The palate reveals a balanced structure with a lifted, elegant freshness. Soft, velvety tannins lead to a long fruity finish.

Current lot number 2016 (Due to Italian regulations regarding multi-regional blends and international varieties this can only be labelled a Vino da Tavola and cannot carry a vintage, hence the lot number)