Tiberio
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOP – 2023
Region: Italy - Abruzzo
Tiberio
The story of Azienda Agricola Tiberio rings more like a new world tale than one from the old world of the ancient lands beneath the Majella and Gran Sasso mountains in Abruzzo. At 1150 feet/350 meters, twenty three miles inland from the seaside city of Pescara near the hillside town of Cugnoli, Riccardo Tiberio found an old plot of Trebbiano Abruzzese vines roughly 50 years old so impressive that he decided to change his and his family’s destiny.
Over a decade ago, Cristiana and Antonio, daughter and son of Riccardo, took over reins of Tiberio. Cristiana, a chemistry specialist who also teaches college sommelier and enology classes, handles winemaking and is the global brand ambassador. Antonio leads grapegrowing and viticulture. The dynamic team have established Tiberio, and Abruzzo, in the forefront of leading-edge wine making and renown in this central part of Italy. Today, Tiberio farms 74 acres/30 hectares of vines.
The Wine
Vineyard Profile
2 estate vineyard plots in Cugnoli (PE).
- Total Vineyard Area: 37 acres/15 ha
- Altitude: 1150 feet/350 meters
- Soil: Clay-calcareous
- Average Vine Age: 63 years & over 20 years
- Vine Training Systems: Canopy & Guyot
- Yield: 45 Hl & 50 Hl
Harvest Notes
- A frost-free winter and spring, with gentle rains and cool temperatures
- Mild summer with a little heat in early August
- Hand harvested in mid-October
- Fermented in stainless steel tanks using only indigenous yeasts for 15 days
- Malolactic fermentation in tank
- Aged in tank and bottle 5 months
Winemaker's Notes
Brilliant ruby red with violet tinges. Intense aromas and flavors, refined and elegant, of blueberry, sour cherry, violet and flint. Smooth tannins, full-bodied and long fresh finish.
Wine Summary
100% massal selection Montepulciano d’Abruzzo; alcohol: 14.5%; vines averaging 63 and over 20 years old grown in 2 plots at 1150 feet/350 meters altitude; hand harvested; fermented in stainless steel using only indigenous yeasts for 15 days; spontaneous malolactic fermentation in tanks; aged 5 months in tanks and bottle.
Technical Information
- 100% massal selection Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
- Alcohol: 14.5%
Reviews
93 Points
Purple-hued and deeply complex, the 2023 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo has an inviting bouquet of black raspberries, cloves, dried sage and licorice. Juicy acidity lends a jovial character to sour cherries, wild berries and a tactile mineral core. It finishes long and pleasantly staining with a sour berry inflection and edgy tannins. There’s a tenacity to the 2023 that keeps me coming back for more, but I’m also excited to see what cellaring will reveal. 2026 – 2034
The Tiberio vineyards look fantastic after the struggles of the 2024 vintage. While several vines did not recover, most of the ancient Trebbiano Abruzzese and Montepulciano vines are thriving thanks to a balanced and slightly rainy 2026 season. Spirits are high. On this trip, I toured all of the parcels planted with massal selections, as well as a new parcel planted entirely to trees. The idea behind this is to create a forest that will bring balance to the vineyards.
Vinous, May, 2026
91 Points
Good full ruby-red. Generous aromas and flavours of dark plum, red cherry, minty herbs and ink. Ripe and smooth, but with very good freshness providing lift and extending the flavours on the long finish. Perfect with tomato-based pizzas, pastas and any meat dish you can think of. Lots of wine for the money here. 2025 – 2030
Ian D'Agata Wine Review, March, 2025
General Info
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Abruzzo |
| Appellation(s) | Abruzzo |
| Proprietors | Riccardo, Cristiana, Antonio Tiberio (father, daughter, son) |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Winemaker | Cristiana Tiberio |
| Annual Production | 8,300 9L cases |
| Farming (Sustainable, organic, biodynamic) | Sustainable |