Portfolio of Wines from Abruzzo
Birthplace of Ovid, Abruzzo's rugged charm is legendary, spawning tales of wizards and sorcerers inhabiting its many stone castles. More than two-thirds of Abruzzo is mountains, but the rest consists of gentle hills, which slope from the dizzying heights of the Gran Sasso down to the gentle shores of the Adriatic.
The native grape is the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, not to be confused with the Tuscan town of the same name. The terroir is varied, producing robust, velvety reds alongside refreshing whites and sturdy, garnet-colored rosatos.
Wines of Lepore
Grapes: 100% Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Vineyards: Clay, medium texture, "poor"; aver. 820 ft above sea level
Harvesting: Stripped, hand-picked
Vinification: Temperature-controlled maceration (78-82°) in horizontal tanks for 15-18 days
Aging: Racked 1 yr; 18 mos in 25-hl oak botte (lg. barrels); min. 18 mos in bottles
U.S. Allocation: 250 cases
Alcohol: 13.5%
Service: 64-68°, benefits from decanting
Montepulciano D'Abruzzo Colline Teramane DOC Riserva "Luigi Lepore"
This flagship wine is so prized by the renowned winemaking family that the late Luigi Lepore put his name to the bottle. Only the finest grapes from the most esteemed appellation in Abruzzo (now DOCG) qualify for this limited production riserva (500 cases), which is only bottled from outstanding vintages.
Aged exclusively in traditional Slovenian oak botte (25 and 50 HL), this full-bodied dark, smoky conversation piece with rich, ripe fruit and spice has lingering complexities to be enjoyed with eggplant lasagna, game, and meat, especially good with roasted lamb — a serious wine with a final hint of licorice.
Grape: 100% Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Vineyards: Clay, medium texture, "poor"; aver. 820 ft above sea level (Adriatic)
Vinification: White wine-making technique; must chilling and static racking; fermented at 63-68°
Aging: Temperature-controlled ageing in steel tanks with nitrogen charging; bottled early summer
U.S. allocation: 1600 cases
Alcohol: 12.5%
Service: 57-61°
Cerasuolo de Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC
Cerasuolo (cher-ah-SWO-lo) means "cherry-red," and the Montepulciano grape creates with just three to four hours skin contact a deep-colored rosato that delivers complex fruit with vibrant acidity. Cherry, strawberry, and tropical notes with hints of violet and spice, good balance and no bitterness on the finish, Lepore's rosato pairs well with red pasta, game fowl, light meats, and some seafood.
"This delightful light red is identified on the label as 'Rosé Italian Wine.' No matter, this is what rosés should be and so often are not. 90" — Michael Franz, www.WineReviewOnline.com
Grape: 100% Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Vineyards: Clay, medium texture, "poor"; aver. 820 ft above sea level (Adriatic)
Harvesting: Stripped, hand-picked
Vinification: Temperature-controlled maceration (78-82°) in horizontal tanks for 10-14 days
Aging: Racked 1 yr; 8 mos in 225-l oak barrique); min. 12 mos in bottles
U.S. allocation: 2,080 cases
Alcohol: 14.5%
Service: 64-68°, benefits from decanting
Montepulciano D'Abruzzo Colline Teramane DOCG "Re"
The Lepore family is proud to be among the first to produce a DOCG wine from the Adriatic region with the introduction of their 2003 Colline Teramane DOCG "Re." Situated in the northeast corner of Abruzzo, the Colline Teramane appellation has long been considered the premier terroir for growing the Montepulciano grape.
The clay soils, rolling hills, and the intense Adriatic sun along with low-yield management produce a memorable wine worthy of the DOCG appellation status.
"Re" has a spicy nose from eight months of barrique aging and a full fruit-packed palette supported by a significant tannic structure. Enjoy with game and red meat.