Vignefolli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (2022)

About this wine

This 2022 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is made from 100 percent Montepulciano grown for the Altavilla label of Marchesi de' Cordano. The nose shows ripe red cherry and plum, with notes of dried herbs and a hint of violet. On the palate the fruit is direct and medium bodied, framed by firm yet fine tannins and a steady acidity. The texture is slightly rounded, the finish shows a pleasant mineral thread and a touch of spicy balsamic. According to producer and retailer notes the wine is vinified with a typical short maceration and kept in neutral vessels to preserve fruit clarity, and the bottle carries the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC designation. Sources note the wine delivers classic regional character and good value, and it was reviewed by industry tasters with constructive scores.

About the grape

Montepulciano is a native Italian red grape long associated with Abruzzo where it is the region most planted variety, known for late budding, late ripening and thick skins that lend deep color and firm structure. In Montepulciano d'Abruzzo appellations the variety is often grown on clay and limestone influenced soils at elevations up to 600 meters, and producers like Altavilla traditionally rely on estate fruit and careful canopy management to balance the vigor and yield of this productive vine. For this Vignefolli bottling the grape is used as the single variety, with vineyard choices and gentle vinification aimed at showcasing Montepulciano's characteristic pigment and tannic backbone while taking advantage of local soils and coastal climate influences.

Quick facts

• 🍇 Vignefolli literally means crazy vines in Italian, a playful name that makes the bottle stand out.
• 🏞️ This 2022 comes from the Altavilla estate near Ortona in Abruzzo, and the producer reports using only estate grown grapes for their wines.
• 🏷️ A Luca Maroni tasting scored the Vignefolli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2022 a solid 90 points, notable because it is offered at a value price around five euros ex cellar.
• 📦 The label lists an annual production of about 30,000 bottles, which helps explain why the wine is commonly found in supermarkets while still coming from estate fruit.
• 🆕 The producer's company shows a first vintage of 2019, so the 2022 is one of the earliest releases from this relatively new label, making it a young collectible for everyday drinking.

Palate profile

Producer

Cantine Altavilla is a modern estate developed by the Cordano group to produce wines from the sandy and clay soils of Canosa Sannita and the Caldari Stazione area in Abruzzo. The project focuses on reviving and showcasing local white varieties such as Cococciola, Pecorino and Passerina alongside regional reds, with vineyard sites chosen for sea influenced freshness. The company combines traditional varieties with contemporary cellar techniques to emphasize fruit clarity and aromatic detail. Today the Altavilla label is part of a broader set of estates managed by the group and is known for approachable, terroir driven wines that reflect the Adriatic coastal climate.