Torre dei Beati Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 'Cocciapazza'

Torre dei Beati is one of the benchmark estates of Abruzzo and one of the leading voices in the region’s move toward more refined, site-driven Montepulciano. Founded by Fausto and Adriana Albanesi in the late 1990's, the estate farms organically and has been certified organic since the mid-2000's. Their philosophy is simple but serious -- healthy vineyards, low yields, and minimal intervention in both the vineyard and cellar to allow their old hillside sites to speak clearly. The fruit for Cocciapazza comes from organically farmed vines planted in 1972, and the resulting wine makes a strong case for Montepulciano as one of Italy’s truly great grapes.

Produced from those old, low-yielding vines, the Cocciapazza sees an extended aging regimen of 20 months in French barriques, both new and used, before additional bottle age prior to release. The resulting wine is deep, powerful, and wonderfully composed, offering soaring aromas and flavors of ripe blueberry, blackberry, cocoa nib, clove, dusty herbs, and spice. Rich and concentrated without ever feeling heavy, it possesses the sort of harmony, elegance, and aging potential reserved for the top wines of the appellation. Decant for a couple of hours if drinking now or cellar confidently for the next decade plus.

Vinous Media - 95 points - "The 2021 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva Cocciapazza has come along beautifully after another year in bottle. Dried violet, sweet smoke, ash, dark chocolate shavings and crushed blackberries form its brooding bouquet. It's silken and elegant in feel, with a wave of ripe red and black fruits flowing across a core of tactile minerals and spice. Drink now through 2040."