1984 Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

With its perfumed mix of dried flowers, spices and savory plum sauce, the bouquet on the 1984 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Vecchie Vigne reminds me more of an exotic herbal tea or florist shop than wine. Its color remains remarkably vibrant with only a slight browning around the rim. Still vivid, it impresses further with a pure and finessed expression on the palate, driven by vibrant acidity that hides its age well, while ushering in citrus-tinged, crunchy pomegranate. This is so remarkably fresh through the finale, yet also long, finishing on a sour twang as inner rose and hints of blood orange fade. The product of a cold and rainy vintage that resulted in a late harvest, the 1984 is in fine form today, showing beautifully and in no fear of decline.