Tiberio - Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 'Archivio' 2021

The story of Azienda Agricola Tiberio rings more like a new world tale than one from the old world of the ancient lands beneath the Majella and Gran Sasso mountains in Abruzzo. At 1150 feet/350 meters, 23 miles inland from the seaside city of Pescara near the hillside town of Cugnoli, Riccardo Tiberio found an old plot of Trebbiano Abruzzese vines roughly 60 years old so impressive that he decided to change his and his family’s destiny. He knew that Trebbiano Abruzzese vines were a rarity and not at all to be confused with Trebbiano Toscano and other similar looking but altogether different varieties that had been mistakenly planted instead. As the export manager for a well-known cantina in the region, Riccardo knew exactly what Abruzzo grapes could offer and what the modern world expected.

He made the plunge in 2000, purchasing the 8-hectare (19.77 acres) old vine plot of Trebbiano Abruzzese with 31 hectares (76.60 acres) of land suitable for his single estate wines. Guided by decades of experience and one of Italy’s most renowned nurseries, Riccardo planted a selection of indigenous varieties matched to the different soil characteristics in the vineyard. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Trebbiano Abruzzese, and Aglianico, were planted along with Pecorino and Moscato di Castiglione clones from ancient vines in the area. Experiments with small plantings of international varietals were also undertaken. When Tiberio released its first vintage in 2004 the wine cognoscenti took notice of Tiberio’s mineral whites and fruit forward reds. Today, Tiberio farms 74 acres/30 hectares of vines.

100% massal selection Montepulciano d’Abruzzo from 4 unique biotypes; alcohol: 14.5%; single vineyard wine from 3 acre plot of historic vineyard; 68 year old vines in limestone overlaying clay subsoil with iron oxide; fermented 40 days in stainless steel using only indigenous yeasts; malolactic fermentation in stainless; 30% of wine aged in barriques (30% new), 70% in stainless steel for 12 months; bottled unfined and unfiltered; aged 12 months in bottle.

“Fully saturated purple-ruby, and really very Montepulciano: no skin contact, and yet the wine is basically inky black in colour. High-toned aromas of raspberry and resiny oak give volume and flesh to juicy and penetrating raw dark berry and ripe red cherry flavours complicated by notes of spices, coffee, ink, and dark chocolate. Finishes with fine tannins and repeating elements of ink, coffee, and cocoa. Nicely tactile and full-bodied, this is a very good Archivo. First made in 2017, this is the only Tiberio wine that is matured in oak (30% of the total only, and in two types of 100% new French oak barrels for 12 months). Whatever you do, make sure you decant this two to three hours ahead at least, or double decant and keep the bottle open for six hours. 2028 – 2033.” - 95 Points, Wine Review

“Intense and brooding in the glass, the 2021 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Archivio smolders up with a blend of grilled herbs, ashen stones, menthol and dried black cherries. It possesses a core of cool-toned acidity, silky textures and masses of mineral-tinged wild berry fruits, creating a sense of pure elegance. Structured and dramatic, the 2021 leaves the palate saturated in primary concentration. Cristiana Tiberio’s experience with aging Montepulciano partially in barriques is paying off—each vintage of Archivio displays more and more balance. 2028 – 2038.” - 95 Points, Vinous

Producer: Tiberio

Country: Italy

Region: Abruzzo

Varietal: Montepulciano

Appellation: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Vintage: 2021

Size: 750ml