Abruzzo Wine

Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2024

Masciarelli is one of Abruzzo’s most celebrated and influential estates, founded by the visionary Gianni Masciarelli in 1981 and today guided by his daughter Marina Cvetič. From their base in San Martino sulla Marrucina, the estate has done more than perhaps any other producer to elevate the reputation of Abruzzo on the world stage — proving that this rugged, sun-drenched region between the Apennines and the Adriatic can produce wines of genuine depth, character, and value.

The Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is the estate’s flagship entry-level red — and a benchmark for the appellation. Montepulciano, Abruzzo’s signature grape, thrives in the region’s warm days and cool nights, producing wines that are naturally rich, fleshy, and deeply colored, with a rustic charm and food-friendliness that make them among Italy’s most versatile reds. The Wall Street Journal calls it “an excellent food wine” — and it’s hard to argue.

The 2024 opens with aromas of ripe dark cherry, blackberry, and plum, with attractive spicy and smoky undertones. The palate is fleshy and full-bodied, with generous dark fruit, soft tannins, and impressive length. A true trattoria red — best enjoyed young, with food, and in good company.

Varietal: Montepulciano
Appellation: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC, Abruzzo, Italy
Vintage: 2024
Format: 750ml

James Suckling 90 Points

"Rich yet lifted, offering dark berries, citrus peel, sweet spices and crushed stones on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied and intense, with crunchy acidity and firm tannins shaping a gently exposed structure."

Winemaker Notes

100% Montepulciano grape from the hills of Abruzzo, Italy. Medium purple-red color with violet hues. The nose opens with red berries and spicy nuances of white pepper. On the palate, it develops harmoniously between fruity sweetness and savory freshness, with gentle tannins and refreshing acidity leading to a smooth finish.

About the Wine

Cantina Zaccagnini is one of Italy’s best-known and best-loved producers of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, combining traditional winemaking with a modern approach. The iconic twig tied around the bottle’s neck is their signature — a nod to the vineyard and a mark of authenticity. This is an everyday Italian red that consistently over-delivers for the price.

Tasting & Pairings

Red cherry, plum, black cherry, white pepper, and subtle earthy notes. Medium-bodied with gentle tannins and refreshing acidity. Serve slightly chilled (55–60°F) for a fresh, easygoing red.

• Pizza and pasta with meat sauce — the classic pairing, and the reason this wine exists.
• Grilled meats or charcuterie — the fruit and acidity cut through richness beautifully.
• Aged cheeses or mushroom dishes — the earthy notes and gentle tannins complement savory flavors.

Podere Castorani · Cadetto · Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC · Abruzzo · Italy · 2022

Podere Castorani is one of Abruzzo’s most compelling estates — a historic family winery in Alanno co-owned by former Formula One driver Jarno Trulli, who brought a racing driver’s obsession with precision and detail to his family’s winemaking heritage. The estate farms organically, without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, letting the terroir of Abruzzo speak clearly in every bottle. Cadetto — meaning “Cadet” — is the estate’s entry-level expression of Montepulciano: pure fruit, freshness, and organic integrity at an exceptional price point.

The 2022 pours a deep ruby with violet notes. The nose is intense and inviting — red fruit, dark cherry, plum, and light hints of spice and chocolate. On the palate, it is full-bodied with mature, smooth tannins, refreshing acidity, and a finish that lingers with spice and cocoa. Approachable now and versatile at the table.

• Producer: Podere Castorani (Jarno Trulli), Alanno, Abruzzo, Italy
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC
• Varietal: 100% Montepulciano
• Farming: Certified Organic
• Style: Dry red — full-bodied, fruit-forward, smooth tannins
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Dark cherry, red plum, spice, chocolate, mature tannins, refreshing acidity
• Pairings: Grilled chicken, light beef dishes, veal, pasta with tomato or meat sauce, pizza

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC — certified organic, estate-bottled, and co-owned by an F1 champion. Pure Abruzzo character at an unbeatable price.

Buyer's Description

"A good Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is arguably one of the most dependable wines to serve with mid-week meals. One such Montepulciano is the Frentana Rubesto Riseva 2020. Brightly flavored, elegant and well balanced, with mouth filling cherry fruit, spicy complexity and  lifted acidity that complements food so perfectly. Pizza and pasta are always what come to mind, but this is a wine that can also partner well with roasted chicken, salmon, tuna  and vegetarian menus. Turn your mid-week mediocre meals into something more special. A good bottle of wine can make the difference!""  Bart Hopkins

Winemaker Description

Very intense ruby red color, with aging it appears garnet; highlights smell remarkably complex, with aromas of black cherry, violet, vanilla and spicy notes. It goes perfectly with meat dishes of the Abruzzo’s cuisine, particularly the lamb, but also roast or braised veal and mature cheese.

Organic, Biodynamic Primitivo from Abruzzo That Overdelivers

Lunaria has been farming organically and biodynamically in Abruzzo for decades, and their Ruminat Primitivo Terre di Chieti is a compelling showcase of what this southern Italian grape can achieve in a cooler northern terroir. The 2024 vintage is bold and expressive — rich, layered, and alive with the kind of rustic complexity that makes Abruzzo one of Italy's most exciting value regions. Bart Hopkins - 67Wine.

Winemaker Notes

Lunaria Ruminat Primitivo Terre di Chieti Organic Biodynamic 2024 750ml

Powerful aromas of red and black berry fruit with notes of wild herbs and dark chocolate. Full and robust on the palate with good tannins to support the fruit and a spicy complexity that lingers long on the finish.

Vineyard & Provenance

• Grape: Primitivo
• Appellation: Terre di Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy
• Producer: Lunaria
• Vintage: 2024
• Certified: Organic, Biodynamic, Vegan
• Size: 750ml

Food Pairings

A natural at the table — excellent with burgers, pizza, pasta, and strong cheeses.

Warehouse stored item - please allow three to five business days to fulfill.

La Valentina's Bellovedere is the winery's highest expression of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. It is a single-vineyard wine from the subzone of Terre dei Vestini, in the rolling hills near the Abruzzo coast and the city of Pescara. The Bellovedere is intended to demonstrate the great possibilities of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, and as such the wine is produced only in the years with great weather conditions and fully mature grapes. The Bellovedere vineyard takes its name from a park in the center of Spoltore with a view of the vineyards and the ridgeline of the Gran Sasso peaks behind, as shown on the label.

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