Masso Montepulciano 2021

Story

‘Boulder’. Montepulciano shares its ancestry with the Mitolo family, in the hilly Central Italian region of Abruzzo. Here exists the Gran Sasso d’Italia, the highest peak of the Apennine Mountains.

Tasting Note

Bold yet inviting, the medium to full bodied palate carries through black cherry, dark plum and blackberry from the nose. Fine cocoa powder tannins underlie a plush mid palate and velvety texture. Intriguing elements of cedar and earthen tones reveal themselves with time, as the dry powdery finish is beautifully balanced by long fresh acidity.

Winemaking

Crushed and destemmed to 2 tonne open fermenters, pumped over twice daily with hand plunging in the peak of ferment. Temperatures were kept cool, between 20 and 24°C to retain fruit vibrancy and aromatics whilst extracting a softer tannin profile. After primary ferment the wines were pressed, racked off gross lees and transferred to 100% seasoned oak, two thirds French, one third American. 12 months maturation in barrel with natural Malolactic Fermentation occurring during this time. Bottled without finings and only light filtration. 

Vineyard

Lopresti Ridgehaven Vineyard - Hahn Road, Sellicks Hill.

Located at the southern end of McLaren Vale between Sellicks Hill and Willunga on the foothills of the Mount Lofty Ranges. The site is defined by heavy clay loam soils with shattered gravel throughout the profile, over Christies Beach formation. A northwesterly aspect captures ample sunlight and ensures ripening whilst the warmth of the site garners concentration and plush tannin maturity in the fruit.

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