Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Iskra Riserva 2020

Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Iskra Riserva 2020 is a deeply expressive red that sits at the very core of Masciarelli’s story, uniting personal passion with technical precision. Crafted from Montepulciano in a Riserva style, it showcases the grape’s full potential in Abruzzo, with generous depth, structure and a refined, modern edge. Born from the bond between founder Gianni Masciarelli and his wife Marina Cvetić, this wine represents a pivotal chapter in the estate’s evolution and a benchmark for contemporary Abruzzo reds.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Iskra Riserva 2020 shows a deep, intense ruby colour with garnet nuances at the rim, signalling both concentration and seriousness. The nose opens with dark cherries, blackberries and ripe plums, layered with notes of black pepper, licorice, cocoa, dried herbs and a subtle balsamic lift. Hints of toasted oak, tobacco and sweet spices add complexity without overwhelming the fruit. On the palate, it is full-bodied and powerful yet finely balanced, with dense, velvety tannins and a core of dark, ripe fruit. Flavours of black cherry, blackberry compote and plum are supported by savoury undertones of leather, graphite and Mediterranean herbs, leading into a long, persistent finish with spice and mineral notes. The vibrant acidity keeps the wine fresh and food-friendly, while the structure suggests very good aging potential; properly cellared, this vintage should evolve gracefully for 8–12 years, gaining further complexity and tertiary nuances.

Production
The Iskra Riserva is sourced from hillside vineyards in Abruzzo, where Montepulciano thrives on a mix of clay and limestone soils under a strong influence from both the Apennine mountains and the Adriatic Sea. This interplay of altitude, diurnal temperature swings and maritime breezes helps preserve freshness and aromatics in the grapes while achieving full phenolic ripeness. Grapes are typically harvested by hand at optimal maturity, allowing for careful selection of bunches in the vineyard. In the cellar, a controlled maceration and fermentation extract colour, structure and aromatic depth, followed by maturation in oak (often barriques or small barrels) to refine the tannins and add layers of spice and complexity. The resulting Riserva is then bottle-aged before release to ensure harmony between fruit, oak and structure.

Food & Serving
This Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva pairs beautifully with rich, flavourful dishes such as braised lamb shanks, slow-cooked beef ragù, grilled ribeye, game (venison, wild boar) and aged hard cheeses like Pecorino or Parmigiano-Reggiano. It also works wonderfully alongside hearty pasta dishes with tomato-based sauces, mushroom risotto or truffle-infused recipes. Serve at 16–18°C to highlight its aromatics and texture. Decanting for 1–2 hours is recommended, especially in its youth, to allow the wine to open up and fully reveal its layered bouquet and polished structure.

Producer
Masciarelli was founded in 1981 by Gianni Masciarelli and has since become one of Abruzzo’s most influential and respected wineries. From the outset, Gianni set out to demonstrate the true potential of native grapes like Montepulciano and Trebbiano through rigorous vineyard work and ambitious winemaking. The creation of the Marina Cvetić line in 1991, named after his wife, marked a turning point: a collection of focused, characterful wines featuring both international varieties (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay) and elevated expressions of Montepulciano and Trebbiano. Today, Masciarelli is widely credited with helping to redefine Abruzzo on the global wine map, earning critical acclaim and numerous awards for its precision, consistency and capacity to produce wines that marry local identity with an international level of quality.

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