Emidio Pepe, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2010

Emidio Pepe is one of the most singular and uncompromising estates in all of Italy — a 15-hectare property in the northern Teramo hills of Abruzzo that has followed the same biodynamic, completely natural path since Emidio first bottled under his own name in 1964. Grapes are hand-harvested, hand-destemmed, fermented with spontaneous yeast, and aged 18 to 24 months in glass-lined cement tanks before being bottled unfined, unfiltered, and without added sulfur. At release, bottles are decanted by hand into fresh glass and labeled by the family. The 2010 is an exceptional vintage at Pepe — of the 45,000 bottles produced, 80% went into the cellar rather than to market — a wine of concentrated black cherry, tar, balsam, and wild herbs with firm, ripe tannins and the penetrating balance that defines this estate's finest work. Decant generously and give it time.

Food Pairing: Braised or roasted red meats, wild game, lamb, aged Pecorino d'Abruzzo, truffles.