Masciarelli “Marina Cvetic” ISKRA Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOCG Colline Teramane 2016

Cvetic’s bestseller is a surprisingly savory beast, again made from 100% montepulciano grapes, brooding with notes of licorice, tea leaf, and almond skins. The fruit runs to currant and plum notes, but there’s so much tannin here that the experience can be overwhelming, finishing with a hefty note of dried tea and bitter amaro. Sharp cherry notes give the finish a bit of a lift, but the level of austerity here is rather intense.