2003 Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Vecchie Vigne #166276968
Reviews 94 points Wine Advocate "Tar, leather, scorched earth and black fruit emerge from this dark, imposing Montepulciano. The wine comes together beautifully in the glass, as the aromas and flavors gain breadth and dimension. Despite the rich style, there is nothing excessive or over-ripe here, just exceptional balance of ripe fruit as captured by a traditional approach to vinification. A final blast of tar informs the long finish. (AG)" 92 points John Gilman "The smoky nose is outstanding, offering up scents of black cherries, cigar ash, wild fennel, dark soil tones, cherry pit, a bit of tariness, woodsmoke and the typical botanicals of this wine. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and very elegant (particularly for a 2003!), with a fine core of fruit, moderate tannins, really good acids for the vintage and a long, balanced and stylish finish. (LG)"
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About Emidio Pepe
Pepe’s Montepulciano boasts bold flavors of dark fruit, licorice, and fresh herbs and is distinct from most other Montepulciano wines in the region. In most vintages, two Montepulicanos are produced - one from young vines and the other from old vines. The old vines, after aging a minimum of 5 years, are imported to the USA and are distinguished by the “Selezione Vecchie Vigne” label.
Trying to summarize Emidio Pepe and his wines is a difficult task, as he is a legendary and iconoclastic producer who is on a quest to make one of the world’s greatest red wines. His attention to detail is evident at every step of the production process, from the genetically diverse old vines to the organic farming, native ferments, and hand work in the vineyards and cellar. Pepe holds back at least half of his production for further aging, showcasing his quixotic and visionary approach. Each successive release confirms Pepe’s belief that Montepulciano is one of the world's great wines.