Cantina Orsogna Lunaria Bucefalo Rosso Vino da Uve Appassite

Cantina Orsogna is a biodynamic, organic and vegan-certified producer in Abruzzo, central Italy, working with the region's signature Montepulciano grape. Bucefalo is made in the appassimento style, where the grapes are left to dry and partly raisin on the vine before pressing. This water loss concentrates the sugars, colour and flavour in the remaining juice, the technique that gives the wine its depth and weight. Abruzzo's position between the Apennine mountains and the Adriatic gives warm, sunny days and cool air off the hills, conditions that ripen Montepulciano fully while holding its acidity. The wine is raised in stainless steel, cement and barrel, a mix that preserves the ripe fruit while rounding the tannins. The colour is dense, near-opaque purple. The nose is broad and ripe, with raisined plum, dried fig, prune and dark chocolate, lifted by black pepper and cherry. The palate is full and concentrated with soft, supple tannins and a long, warming finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees in a large glass, decanting briefly if young. It is built for rich, slow-cooked meats and mature cheeses.