Gianni Masciarelli was an icon in Italy’s Abruzzo area, and after his passing, his spouse Marina Cvetic and their daughter Miriam Lee have continued to work to make sure this southern Italian area is a supply of high-quality wines spanning the spectrum of types. From fruit-forward roses to inky, dense reds, right here’s a take a look at the most recent from the operation, together with wines from each the Villa Gemma and Marina Cvetic labels.
2022 Villa Gemma Bianco Colline Teatine IGT – This inexpensive white mix (trebbiano, pecorino, cococciola) is huge with notes of recent apples, lemon curd, and loads of white flowers, making it floral with out being overly perfumed. Ample minerality offers the wine a cleaning high quality, its light citrus fruit clinging to the tongue. A beautiful little journey and a flexible wine that works fantastically alone or with dinner. A- / $24
2022 Villa Gemma Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Superiore Rose DOC – A Montepulciano-based rose surprisingly darkish in coloration, however surprisingly gentle in taste. Strawberries and citrus peel mingle properly on the palate right here, with a brighter Meyer lemon word constructing towards the end. Bracing for a rose, at 14% abv, there’s a mildly tannic end that offers the wine some gravitas that makes it really feel extra acceptable as a tremendous eating companion than by itself. I paired it with a salt and pepper tofu stir fry and it labored remarkably effectively. An excellent rose for a extra “critical” event. A- / $24
2020 Marina Cvetic Trebbiano d’Abruzzo Riserva DOC – A brisk white wine, gentle saline notes melding effectively with components of guava, gooseberry, and a light-weight almond word. Whereas the fruit is immersive, the wine’s moderated acidity retains issues hopping towards a silky, lingering end that perks up with notes of lemon curd. Versatile — and whereas it drinks effectively alone, it’s a extra pure companion for seafood word. A- / $60
2019 Marina Cvetic Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva DOC – A gorgeously lush and wealthy wine, laden with currants and bittersweet chocolate up prime. Layers of fig quickly reveal themselves so as to add a chewy, barely austere high quality to the expertise, evoking a vacation desk whereas main the best way to a modestly tannic, woody end. The fade-out brings forth each umami-rich mushroom notes and a reprise of darkish chocolate, threading the needle between fruit and the barrel. An impressive worth for this worth level. A / $38
2018 Villa Gemma Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva DOC – Nicely-rounded and agreeable, this raspberry- and cherry-laden wine weaves a fragile however pointed steadiness between extra austere, tannic qualities and exuberant fruitiness, meandering its approach towards notes of tea leaf, black raspberry, and a layer of darkish chocolate that offers it a wintry, hearth high quality. Hearty however approachable, I believe a couple of extra years in bottle can be warranted, however paired with a thick lower of roast beef, this would possibly have the ability to nonetheless hit the spot as we speak. A- / $98
2019 Marina Cvetic Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva DOC
$38
