TN: 2009 Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (Italy, Abruzzi, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo)

WINE TALK
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I have to agree with @Otto_Forsberg analysis on this one from his Pepe tasting last year. Least favorite of the assorted wines I’ve tried from last 20 vintages or so. This was direct from the cellar on my visit. I don’t think the family loves '09 either. Was a good match with papardelle and lamb ragu. And it’s a good wine, just not quite the standard thrill. Ah, well. Here we go.

  • 2009 Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d'Abruzzo - Italy, Abruzzi, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (11/10/2024)
    Starts out very tart and wiry- the Pepe mark, but the fruit is also very ripe. Ripe to the point of feeling bitter in the middle. Prune and dark fruit. There's the Pepe touch of saline and minerality, but the whole package feels a bit unrealized. It's good, better with Lamb ragu, but not quite Pepe's norm. There's no sense that this needs time to develop, but I would be surprised if it doesn't knowing how these wines age. Have another, will see if it matures into something in another decade.

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Damn. I have a bottle and was just comparing Otto’s note to the others on CT and thinking that I trust Otto’s palate pretty much more than anyone else’s so I really hope his bottle was heat damaged or something. Did not want to get this piece of intel!

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It’s not a total loss- I don’t think Otto said that either. It’s just not a great year, it seems. Could be some bottle variation. I actually have half bottle left - I was using coravin last night. I’ll update with progress.

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Much appreciated! If extended airing is beneficial that’s very valuable info. In any case even if it were not 100% up my alley I’m sure the missus will still enjoy it given her general love of Italian reds and the fact that we got it on our only second trip to Italy in 2013 so there are some good memories tied to it.

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