De Fermo Prologo Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2021

De Fermo is the Abruzzo estate that Stefano Papetti Ceroni and Eloisa De Fermo took on in 2007, leaving careers in law to return to the family land and farm it biodynamically. Prologo is their statement red, made from Montepulciano, the dark, structured grape of central Italy's Adriatic side. The hill vineyards sit inland from the coast, where warm days and cooler nights ripen Montepulciano fully while holding its acidity and firm tannin. After fermentation the wine spends two months in cement tanks, which preserve the deep colour and primary fruit, then ten months in oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange through the wood softens the grape's robust tannins and adds a cedar and spice frame. The colour is deep and saturated, near opaque. The nose shows dark plum and black cherry over black pepper, liquorice and a savoury, earthy note. The palate is full bodied and structured, with firm but ripe tannins, dark fruit and a long, spiced finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanted ahead. It suits grilled red meat, lamb and rich tomato-based dishes.