2019 Emidio Pepe Pecorino Colli Aprutini

There’s a woodsy, herbal nature to the bouquet of the 2019 Pecorino that I find wildly attractive; musky dried apricots and hints of confectionery spice provide lovely contrast. Its soft textures soothe as a reverberation of tension mounts through a mix of zesty acids, green citrus and a twang of sour melon. The 2019 leaves a primary concentration upon the palate, a staining of lime and a caking of saline intensity, while finishing with persistence. This is the best vintage of Emidio Pepe’s Pecorino that I’ve yet tasted. The vineyard was planted between 2006 and 2007 in white clay soils with a northern exposure. It took the family some time to fully understand the variety, how to farm it and shape it in the winery; yet the 2019 clearly shows that its potential has been realized.