Botteotto, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Kosher, 2018
Botteotto, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Kosher, 2018
- 75cl
- 13.5%
- Red Still
- Montepulciano
- Organic
- Kosher
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2027
About Botteotto, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Kosher, 2018
Valle Reales vineyards are located in a national park known for its wild wolves. The barren nature and the harsh climate make the grapes from here extra rich in taste. This wine is certified organic.
Spicy, fruity scent with hints of barrels, cherries, plums, herbs and chocolate. Fruity and spicy taste with hints of chocolate, barrels, dark cherries, plums and sage. Pairs perfectly with tasty dishes of lamb or beef e.g. delicious lamb chops with garlic and rosemary.
The 2018 is drinking beautifully now with primary fruit still vibrant and oak integration nearly complete. Over the next two years, expect the brambleberry intensity to settle into more classic dark cherry and plum flavours, while the chocolate notes become more seamlessly woven into the wine's structure. The spicy herb character should remain prominent throughout, as this is fundamental to the high-altitude terroir rather than a youthful phase. By 2027, the wine will show more leather and earth complexity but may start losing some of its current generous fruit appeal. This style rewards drinking during its exuberant phase rather than extended cellaring.
What the critics say:
"This has a very intense nose of primary fruit, including brambleberry and dark-cherry compote and raspberry coulis. Shows good composure and density on the palate with medium-chewy tannins and a tangy finish. Drink now."
Tasting Notes
AppearanceDeep ruby-purple with almost opaque concentration and a youthful, vibrant rim.
NoseImmediately striking with brambleberry compote and dark cherry intensity that James Suckling noted. There's chocolate richness from oak integration, but wild Mediterranean herbs and a spicy lift keep it from feeling heavy. The mountain terroir shows through with mineral undertones and that distinctive sage-like quality from high-altitude Abruzzo.
PalateDense and generous without losing composure, showing medium-weight tannins that grip without overwhelming. The fruit concentration is remarkable - dark plums and cherries supported by chocolate depth, but there's enough spicy backbone to maintain interest. Excellent balance between the grape's natural richness and the austere mountain conditions that shaped it.
FinishLong and satisfying with dark fruit persistence and a tangy, herb-scented conclusion that invites another glass.
Overall impressionThis is Montepulciano d'Abruzzo with real character - generous enough to enjoy now but with sufficient structure for a few more years.
Food Pairings
In Abruzzo, this would be the natural partner for arrosticini - tiny lamb skewers grilled over vine wood that represent the region's mountain soul. The local shepherds' tradition of slow-cooked lamb with wild herbs and garlic finds perfect harmony with Montepulciano's spicy fruit and chocolate depth. Hearty pasta dishes like maccheroni alla chitarra with rich meat ragù showcase how the wine's generous fruit balances intense, slow-cooked flavours. During truffle season, the wine's earthy undertones complement the prized black truffles found in these same mountains. Even simple grilled sausages with rosemary become special when paired with wine that shares the same wild, mountain-herb character.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 16-17°C to allow the fruit concentration to show without masking the spicy complexity. A brief 30-minute decant helps integrate the chocolate oak notes with the primary fruit, though it's perfectly enjoyable straight from the bottle. Use generous Bordeaux glasses to concentrate the intense brambleberry aromatics that make this wine so immediately appealing. If serving with rich lamb or beef dishes, consider opening an hour ahead to let the wine's natural generosity fully emerge.
Valle Reale sits at significant altitude within a protected national park, where limestone-rich soils drain quickly and force vine roots deep into the mountain bedrock. The harsh continental climate brings dramatic temperature swings between blazing days and cool nights, particularly crucial during ripening season. This barren, windswept landscape strips away everything unnecessary, leaving Montepulciano grapes with concentrated sugars and intense colour. The wild, untamed environment contributes aromatic complexity that distinguishes these wines from more cultivated Abruzzo sites.
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC covers much of this mountainous region, but quality varies dramatically depending on altitude and exposition. The appellation requires 85% Montepulciano grapes, with the remainder typically Sangiovese, though producers like Botteotto often use 100% Montepulciano for maximum expression. Unlike Tuscany's Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (which uses Sangiovese), this DOC showcases the Montepulciano grape itself, known for deep colour, generous fruit, and food-friendly structure. The best examples come from high-altitude sites like Valle Reale, where the harsh conditions create wines with genuine personality rather than simple crowd-pleasers.
The 2018 vintage in Abruzzo caught many by surprise with its sheer drinkability. After a hot, dry summer that had growers fretting about concentration levels, September rains arrived just when the vines needed them most. The result was a harvest that combined the sunshine intensity of a warm year with enough freshness to keep everything in balance—quite the feat in a region where that balance can prove elusive.
What emerged from cellars was a vintage that seems almost designed for immediate pleasure. The Montepulciano d'Abruzzo shows ripe dark fruit without the jammy weight that can plague hot years, whilst Trebbiano and Pecorino both retained the bright acidity that makes them so food-friendly. We find these wines drinking beautifully now and will continue to do so until 2027. It's the sort of vintage that reminds you why Abruzzo deserves more attention.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Dense and generous with brambleberry and dark cherry fruit, chocolate richness, and wild Mediterranean herbs. Think concentrated mountain fruit with spicy complexity.
When should I drink this wine?
Perfect now until 2027. It's at its most generous and fruit-forward phase, which suits this style better than extended aging.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Lamb dishes are ideal - from simple grilled chops with rosemary to slow-cooked ragù. The wine's spicy character also works brilliantly with hearty beef stews and aged cheeses.
Should I decant this wine?
A brief 30-minute decant helps integrate the oak with the fruit, but it's delicious straight from the bottle. Serve at 16-17°C in generous glasses.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
This style rewards drinking during its current exuberant phase.
What makes this different from other Montepulciano d'Abruzzo?
The high-altitude Valle Reale location and harsh mountain conditions create unusual intensity and wild herb complexity. Most Abruzzo wines are simpler and more straightforward than this concentrated example.
OUR GROWERS
Botteotto
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