Masso Montepulciano 2025

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

Deeply fruited with rich floral aromatics. Dark and red cherries, dark violets, blackberry and blood plum lead into a well-structured yet fine grained tannin profile, supported by a long, fresh and vibrant acid line throughout. Complex savoury and spice notes of master stock, Chinese five spice, light vanilla bean and very fine fresh herbs. Montepulciano's classic Balsamic notes reside in reserve, while black slate minerality integrates seamlessly with the wine's vibrant acidity on the finish. 

Winemaking

Crushed and destemmed, fermented in two tonne open fermenters with twice daily pump overs throughout, and additional hand plunging at peak ferment. Temperatures were kept cool, between 20 and 24 degrees Celsius, to retain fruit vibrancy and ensure a fine tannin structure. Pressed and racked off gross lees, followed by natural malolactic fermentation and 14 months maturation in two thirds French, one third American seasoned oak hogs and head barrels. Light filtration prior to bottle, no finings used.    

Vineyard

Lopresti Ridgehaven Vineyard - Hahn Road, Sellicks Hill.

The site is defined by red-brown clay loam soils, over Christies Beach Formation. Shattered rock appears throughout the profile, becoming more prevalent at its base where Nero d'Avola and Montepulciano reside. A north-westerly aspect captures ample sunlight, ensuring flavour ripeness and plush tannin maturity in the fruit, whilst strong gully winds from the Ranges cool the vineyard into the evening. 

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