Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2007

The 2001 is a sultry and flirtatious vintage of Pepe’s Monte pulciano d’Abruzzo Vecchie Vigne. Dark and a bit murky at first, it takes nearly an hour to blow off a musky, almost wooly mineral and animal-toned air; however, beneath it all, there are depths of tobacco, cherry sauce, scorched earth and a mentholated, herbal freshness that adds a wonderful lift. This soft, nearly-fleshy wine finds a lovely harmony through a mix of nervous acidity and citrus-tinged red fruits that add a highly energetic and almost-juicy feel. Blood orange nuances and a burst of inner sweetness mix with an inner sensation of wet autumn leaves (I know, I know, but it’s Pepe), as the 2001 finishes completely resolved, long and with a hint of balsamic spice that lingers on and on. While it takes a little work to unlock the 2001’s charms, good luck not devouring the entire bottle once it’s opened.