Cantina Orsogna Lunaria Coste di Moro Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2015

Cantina Orsogna is a growers' cooperative in Abruzzo, founded in 2005, working vineyards planted at around 450 metres in line with the altitude rules of the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo denomination. The Coste di Moro comes from Montepulciano grown on these hillside sites, where the elevation brings cool nights and a wide day-to-night temperature swing that slows ripening and holds the fruit's acidity and colour. Farming is biodynamic, organic and vegan. The grapes see a short ageing across stainless steel and barrel, which keeps the fruit forward while giving the tannins time to settle and the wine a rounder texture. Montepulciano is a thick-skinned grape, and the extended skin contact draws out deep colour and the ripe, structured tannins that mark the wine. The colour is dense ruby. The nose is dark plum and cherry over black pepper, liquorice and a note of earth. The palate is full and concentrated, with dark chocolate and a savoury finish framed by grippy tannin. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanted for those tannins to open. It suits roast lamb and rich tomato-based dishes.