What kind of wine is Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC “Cocciapazza” 2021 - Torre dei Beati?

The Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC “Cocciapazza” 2021 - Torre dei Beati is a full-bodied Abruzzese red wine, a pure expression of the Montepulciano grape, one of central Italy's most representative indigenous varieties. Its name comes from the "Cocciapazza" area, where the vineyards of the Torre dei Beati winery are located, on well-exposed hills characterized by calcareous and clayey soils. From this area comes a wine of great structure and personality, capable of combining power and finesse, just as its controlled designation of origin (DOC) suggests.

Vintage Details

The 2021 vintage was characterized by balanced climatic conditions, with warm but not excessive summers and good day-night temperature variations. These conditions favored optimal grape ripening, with an excellent balance between sugars, acidity, and aromatic concentration. The result is an intense, radiant wine that faithfully reflects the hilly terroir of Loreto Aprutino, home of the Torre dei Beati winery.

Winemaking and Aging

The Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC “Cocciapazza” 2021 - Torre dei Beati is made from a careful selection of grapes coming exclusively from the most suitable plots of the vineyard. After manual harvesting, the grapes undergo a cold pre-fermentation maceration – a short period where the must and skins are kept at low temperatures to delicately extract color and aromas – followed by a total maceration of about 30 days. Fermentation takes place in steel tanks to preserve the purity of the fruit, while maturation occurs in oak barriques, 70% of which are new, for a period of 20-22 months. This long aging gives the wine aromatic complexity and a harmonious tannic texture.

Tasting Notes

Color

Visually, it presents a deep, vibrant ruby red with garnet hues typical of wood aging. The dense color anticipates the richness of matter that will be found on the palate.

Nose

The bouquet is broad and enveloping: notes of black fruits such as blackberry and ripe plum stand out, accompanied by spicy hints of black pepper, vanilla, and cocoa. As oxygenation progresses, balsamic and slightly toasted nuances emerge, a sign of quality barrique aging.

Palate

On the palate, it is a structured and velvety wine, with dense yet elegant and well-integrated tannins. The body is full and enveloping, supported by good freshness that balances the alcoholic richness. The finish is long and persistent, with notes of dark fruit, licorice, and sweet spices that pleasantly return in the aftertaste.

What to pair with Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC “Cocciapazza” 2021 - Torre dei Beati

The complexity of this Montepulciano d’Abruzzo makes it ideal for rich and flavorful dishes. It is perfect to accompany:

• grilled or roasted red meats, such as entrecôte or roasted lamb;
• typical Abruzzese dishes based on game or wild boar ragout;
• aged cheeses with a strong flavor, such as pecorino or parmesan;
• traditional Italian cuisine with full-bodied sauces, especially pasta dishes with ragout.

A wine to share on convivial occasions, but also perfect for a meditative tasting where every nuance can be appreciated.

Storage and aging: how to store Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC “Cocciapazza” 2021 - Torre dei Beati wine

To best preserve its characteristics, it is important to store the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC “Cocciapazza” 2021 - Torre dei Beati in a cool place, with a constant temperature around 14-16°C and controlled humidity. The bottle should be kept horizontally, away from sources of light and heat, to avoid alteration of the cork and the wine itself.

Thanks to its structure and long wood aging, this wine has excellent potential for evolution in the bottle: it can be enjoyed in the coming years for its freshness and vibrancy, but will reach its full expression after 6-8 years of storage, developing aromatic complexity and softness on the palate. A great Abruzzese red capable of telling the story of the strength and elegance of the Torre dei Beati winery over time.