Botteotto, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Kosher, 2019
Botteotto, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Kosher, 2019
- 75cl
- 14%
- Red Still
- Montepulciano
- Organic
- Kosher
Couldn't load pickup availability
Optimal drinking window: Now - 2030
About Botteotto, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Kosher, 2019
Valle Reale was founded in 2000 with the goal of producing world-class wines. Working primarily with the Montepulciano varietal, the Pizzolo family strives to make wines that highlight the grape’s intrinsic qualities: strength, exuberance, vitality, colour, elegance, balance and depth.
The process begins with the careful selection of clones that are best suited to Valle Reale’s soil and climate, and therefore best express the distinct characteristics of the varietal. Their success is evident in the young, vibrant DOC base wine, and even more so in the cru, a new benchmark for Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.
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.
Currently drinking beautifully with primary fruit still dominant but well-integrated with oak and tannin structure. Over the next 2-3 years, expect the licorice and herbal complexity to become more prominent while the tannins soften further. The wine should reach its optimal drinking window around 2028-2030, when secondary development adds leather and earth nuances to the fruit core. While built for medium-term ageing, it's unlikely to improve significantly beyond 2032.
What the critics say:
"A rich, flavorful red with dark berries, cherries and some licorice and walnut, following through to a full body with round tannins that are light chewy and in balance. Very drinkable now, but will improve with age."
Food Pairings
In Abruzzo, this would pair perfectly with arrosticini (traditional lamb skewers grilled over vine wood) or brodetto, the region's rich fish stew from the Adriatic coast. Locals would also serve it with hearty pasta dishes like maccheroni alla chitarra with lamb ragu, or the famous Abruzzese lamb and rosemary roasts. The wine's structure and spice make it ideal for the region's robust mountain cuisine, particularly dishes featuring pecorino cheese and wild herbs gathered from the Apennines.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 16-18°C to allow the fruit and spice complexity to show fully. While approachable immediately, decanting for 30-45 minutes will help integrate the tannins and open up the aromatics. Use generous Bordeaux-style glasses to concentrate the rich bouquet and allow proper aeration.
Valle Reale's vineyards benefit from Abruzzo's unique position between the Apennine mountains and the Adriatic Sea, creating significant diurnal temperature variation that preserves acidity while allowing full phenolic ripeness. The soils are predominantly clay-limestone with good drainage, ideal for Montepulciano's vigorous growth habit. The continental climate with maritime influence provides the long growing season this late-ripening variety demands.
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC covers most of Abruzzo's wine regions, making it one of Italy's largest appellations by volume but increasingly diverse in quality. The rules require 85% Montepulciano grape minimum, with the remainder typically local varieties like Sangiovese. While much production remains bulk-focused, estates like Valle Reale demonstrate the variety's potential for serious, age-worthy wines when yields are controlled and terroir is respected.
Abruzzo had a cracker of a vintage in 2019, the sort of year that reminds you why Montepulciano d'Abruzzo deserves serious attention. The growing season delivered that Goldilocks combination of adequate winter rain, a warm but not punishing summer, and crucially, those cool nights in the hills that keep the grapes singing rather than shouting. Harvest came in at just the right pace, with producers able to pick when they wanted rather than when panic demanded.
The wines show Abruzzo at its most compelling: Montepulciano with proper backbone and that distinctive earthy undertone, but without the sometimes rustic edges that can mar lesser years. Pecorino turned out particularly well, with enough weight to match the variety's natural brightness. We're drinking these now with genuine pleasure, and the better examples will reward another three to five years in the cellar if you can resist.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Rich and warming with dark berries, cherries, licorice, and chocolate, balanced by structured but approachable tannins. Think serious Montepulciano with elegance.
When should I drink this wine?
Drinking beautifully now until 2032. It's at its peak of fruit expression but has the structure for a few more years of development.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Perfect with grilled lamb, beef roasts, or hearty pasta dishes. The wine's structure and spice make it ideal for robust Mediterranean cuisine with herbs and strong cheeses.
Should I decant this wine?
Yes, 30-45 minutes of decanting will help integrate the tannins and open up the complex aromatics. Serve at 16-18°C for optimal expression.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
While drinking excellently now, it will reward 3-4 years of patience as secondary complexity develops. Best drinking window is 2026-2032.
What makes this wine kosher?
The wine is produced under rabbinical supervision following kosher winemaking laws, making it suitable for those following kashrut dietary requirements without compromising quality or character.
OUR GROWERS
Botteotto
Explore related wines
-
-
Speak to one of our Wine Gurus
Speak to a Wine GuruWith years of experience, our team can help you with all your wine buying and selling needs