Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is a 100% estate-grown Montepulciano red wine from Abruzzo, Italy, bottled at 13–13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Scoring 91 points from James Suckling (2019 vintage), this bottling represents one of the most respected expressions of the Montepulciano grape at its price tier, sourced from vineyards spanning all four provinces of the region.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13–13.5%  |  Origin: Abruzzo, Italy  |  100% Montepulciano  |  Winery: Masciarelli

Production & Heritage

Masciarelli is headquartered in San Martino sulla Marrucina in the province of Chieti and stands as the only producer in Abruzzo to own vineyard land in all four of the region's provinces — Chieti, Pescara, Teramo, and L'Aquila. The estate manages roughly 60 individual vineyard sites averaging about five acres each, spread across diverse soils and altitudes, giving the winemaking team a broad palette of fruit character to draw from. For this bottling, destemmed Montepulciano grapes undergo 10 to 15 days of skin contact before aging entirely in stainless steel, preserving varietal purity and bright fruit expression without oak influence. All production is 100% estate-grown and estate-bottled.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark cherry and ripe plum lead the nose, followed by savory layers of leather, pencil shavings, and a subtle smokiness. Dried wild herbs and a violet floral lift emerge with time in the glass.

Taste: The entry is juicy and fruit-forward, loaded with sour black cherry and blackberry. Mid-palate, the wine develops a savory core of cedar shavings and undergrowth, supported by silken tannins and a lively thread of acidity. A hint of chocolate rounds out the darker fruit tones as the wine reaches full expression.

Finish: Medium to long, with tart wild berry and blood orange carrying through on a clean, zesty line. The tannins stay fine-grained, leaving a dry but fleshy impression that invites another sip.

How to Drink Masciarelli Montepulciano

This wine is best served at 60–65°F and benefits from 15 to 20 minutes of air, either decanted or simply poured and left to open in the glass. Its bright acidity and supple tannins also make it a strong candidate for wine-based cocktails: a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola over ice) plays off the cherry fruit in a casual summer setting; a New York Sour substitutes the wine float beautifully thanks to its deep color and tartness; and a classic Sangria gains real depth from the dark berry and spice notes without overpowering the citrus and brandy elements.

Best For

• Weeknight Italian dinners where quality matters but oak-heavy reds feel too heavy
• Introducing someone to serious Italian reds beyond Chianti and Barbera
• Stocking a house red that consistently over-delivers for the price
• Bringing a bottle to a pizza or pasta night that will genuinely impress the host

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Masciarelli Montepulciano taste like? It leads with juicy dark cherry and blackberry fruit, layered with savory notes of leather, cedar, and dried herbs. Bright acidity and silken tannins give it a medium-to-full body that finishes clean and fleshy.

How does Masciarelli Montepulciano compare to La Valentina Montepulciano d'Abruzzo? Both are respected estate-produced Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wines at similar price points, but Masciarelli draws fruit from vineyards across all four Abruzzo provinces, giving it a wider range of terroir influence. La Valentina tends to focus on the Pescara province and often leans slightly more fruit-forward, while Masciarelli balances fruit with a more pronounced savory and herbal character.

Is Masciarelli Montepulciano good for everyday drinking? Absolutely — its stainless-steel aging keeps the fruit bright and the tannins approachable, making it one of the more versatile Italian reds for regular dinner service without sacrificing complexity.

Where is Masciarelli Montepulciano made? It is produced by the Masciarelli estate, headquartered in San Martino sulla Marrucina in the Chieti province of Abruzzo, Italy. The fruit is sourced from roughly 60 estate-owned vineyard sites spread across all four Abruzzo provinces.

What foods pair well with Masciarelli Montepulciano? Lamb ragu over pappardelle highlights the wine's herbal and savory side. Margherita or sausage pizza complements the bright cherry fruit and acidity. Grilled eggplant parmigiana matches its medium weight without overwhelming it. Aged pecorino cheese draws out the leather and spice notes. Braised short ribs mirror the wine's dark berry depth and fleshy texture.

What sizes does Masciarelli Montepulciano come in? The standard release is widely available in 750ml bottles, with some markets also carrying a 1.5L magnum format.

Is Masciarelli Montepulciano worth the price? It positions as a strong value-tier Italian red that routinely punches above its weight class, earning scores of 89–91 points from critics including James Suckling and Falstaff — uncommon recognition for wines at this price level.

Why Masciarelli Montepulciano?

What sets this wine apart from the crowded field of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is the breadth of its sourcing: Masciarelli is the only estate in the region farming vineyards across all four Abruzzo provinces, blending fruit from 60 distinct sites at varying altitudes and soil types. That range of terroir, combined with 100% estate production and a no-oak aging regime, results in a wine that captures the full spectrum of the Montepulciano grape rather than a single vineyard's personality. The 2019 vintage's 91-point score from James Suckling and a matching 91 from Falstaff for the 2020 confirm this is not an entry-level afterthought but a deliberate, well-made wine. For drinkers who want authentic Abruzzo character without the premium price tag of the estate's top-tier Villa Gemma bottling, this is the bottle that delivers.