Tiberio - Trebbiano d'Abruzzo Fonte Canale 2022

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 Trebbiano d’Abruzzese, original to property; alcohol: 12.5%; 94 year old vines planted in limestone, marly-clay soils over sandstone-rich bedrock; fermented in stainless steel tanks using only native yeasts; no secondary fermentation; aged 18 months in tank and bottle; bottled unfined and unfiltered.

“The 2022 Trebbiano d’Abruzzo Fonte Canale lifts from the glass with utter poise. It’s citric and mineral-driven, displaying a cascade of wildflowers, crushed rocks, nectarines and hints of raw almond. The 2022 is elegant in style with subtle textures and depths of saline-infused orchard fruits, all offset by a spike of lemony acidity. Saturating and long, it tapers off with a flinty personality, plus a twang of gingery spice that lingers so long. The 2022 is stacked, powerful and intense, but it has an inner harmony that soothes the soul. 2026 – 2034.” - 94 Points, Wine Review

“Bright silver-green yellow colour. Dried lime, pear and beeswax on the nose, with a suave white flower undertone. Nicely focused and varietally accurate citrus and orchard fruit flavours are complicated by flinty minerals and pear skin nuances and a hint of mint. Becomes sweeter and deeper on the finish, featuring juicy tropical fruit and white peach nuances. Lovely in its vibrant mineral, edgy personality. This is the last vintage of the Fonte Canale being bottled as a Trebbiano d’Abruzzo: starting with the 2023 vintage it will be called Fonte Canale only. 2026 – 2031.” - 96 Points, Vinous

Producer: Tiberio

Country: Italy

Region: Abruzzo

Varietal: Trebbiano

Appellation: Trebbiano d'Abruzzo

Vintage: 2022

Size: 750ml