Decanter: all the scores assigned to our wines
Directly from Decanter's tasting tables, the latest reviews and scores concerning our wines. A journey through the Marche and Abruzzo guided by one of the most important wine magazine in the world.
Pelago 2019 - Score: 95
This ‘superMarche' is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Montepulciano, with around 10% Merlot – a concept first released in 1997 with input from legendary winemaking consultant, Giacomo Tachis. The southeast-facing hillside where the varieties are planted has deep calcareous soils and there's a strong marine influence. Vinified in stainless steel, the wine then spends 14 months in barriques and a further 12 months in bottle. Bright red and black fruit aromas and a cool blueberry streak introduce a mouthful of earthy tones and spice with fine, sandy tannins giving structure. It has big acidity which cuts through and highlights the lovely fruit melange, before a long, fresh fruit and cocoa finish.
Centovie, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, 2018 - Score: 90
This organic Montepulciano d'Abruzzo sees a mix of large and small oal vessels for 12 months following fermentation in stainless steel. Bright aromas of violet and cherry lead to a round and fleshy palate of spicy red and black cherries, then a soft finish. Very drinkable.
Campo San Giorgio, Rosso Conero Riserva, 2018 - Score: 93
From vines planted in 1999 at high density using a mix of bush training in the lower part of the vineyard and vertical training higher up. Production is kept to four bunches per vine for concentration and balance. Vinified in stainless steel with a small percentage of whole-bunch fruit, it's then matured for 12 months in barriques then a further 12 months in large casks. Earthy dark cherry aromas introduce an intense and concentrated palate full of spicy, brambly fruit accompanied by some herbal notes. It finishes with a lifted balsamic cherry quality. Sure to gain complexity with further ageing.
Cùmaro, Rosso Conero Riserva, 2019 - Score: 91
A selection of the estate's best Montepulciano grapes from a southeast-facing vineyard in Osimo on deep calcareous soils. It's vinified in stainless steel then matured for 14 months in French oak barriques, 20% new. Aromatic notes of dried cherry, fresh red and black cherry, and earth lead to a spicy, juicy, brambly palate with balsamic freshness and good balance.
San Lorenzo, Rosso Conero, 2021 - Score: 90
Conero is a little-known DOC in the coastal province of Ancona in the Marche. This 100% Montepulciano wine – the principal grape of the denomination – is vinified in stainless steel then matured in a mix of large casks and used barriques for 18 months. Fresh and dried cherry notes mingle with floral overtones, followed by a round mouthful of spicy, crunchy red berries and plum supported by plentiful but integrated tannins and good acidity.
Centovie Pecorino, Colli Aprutini, 2020 - Score: 92
This delicious unoaked Pecorino, vinified in stainless steel then matured for 12 months in concrete tanks, has a bright lemony nose with touches of herb and cheesiness – typical of this variety. In the mouth it's fresh and lemony, with a waft of herbs and intense minerality. Some creaminess emerges on the mid-palate, along with pithy citrus peel, which carry through to the finish.
Plenio, Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio Riserva - Score: 93
From a single vineyard near Cupramontana at 250 to 350m above sea level, this Riserva is vinified in a mix of concrete, large casks and stainless steel. After one year, the components are blended together then spend a further six months in bottle. Subtle yellow plum, herb and cream scents are followed by a beautifully fresh and elegant palate with a sweet, leesy undertone overlaid by lemon, apple, apricot skin and citrus peel. The long finish is dry and stony. Great balance.
Vecchie Vigne, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi - Score: 92
Produced from four hectares of vines planted in the 1970s on an east-facing hillside, Vecchie Vigne is vinified in stainless steel tanks with no malo, then matured for 12 months in concrete tanks with batonnage. It's a more serious, ageworthy expression that needs more time to fully reveal all it has to offer, although it's more than drinkable at this stage in its life. Apple and creamy stone fruit aromas lead to a salty, sapid palate buoyed by some pillowy leesiness. Bright and floral at first, it concludes with a long finish of apricot skin and grapefruit. Plenty of potential.
Casal di Serra, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi - Score: 91
Originally a single-vineyard wine, Casal di Serra is now a selection of the Montecarotto vineyard along with three other sites. Vinified and matured sur-lie in stainless steel, it's saline, floral and fresh with some lovely melon and soft stone fruit scents. There's some leesy creaminess in the mouth, accompanied by vibrant yellow fruits, crunchy apple and zesty acidity
