Tiberio
Colle Vota Montepulciano d’Abruzzo – 2019
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.
Reviews
96 Points
Good full purple-red. Intensely floral notes of violet and lavender complicate black cherry, dark plum, smoke, minerals and sweet spices, along with a peppery herb nuance. Classically dry in the mouth but with a sultry core of superripe delicately smoky red and black cherry and sweet spices that reminded me of something that Dujac or Méo-Camuzet might make. Closes tangy and primary, silky and penetrating, with lingering perfume. Knockout wine, and don’t kid yourself: you have literally no idea just how good, great, Montepulciano wines can be unless you drink this wine (and Valentini’s) regularly. 2025 – 2038
Terroir Sense - Ian D'Agata, May, 2023
94+ Points
The 2019 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colle Vota is intense, trading grace for power in this vintage, with a burst of dried black cherries, dusty sage, roses and Indian spice forming its bouquet. This splashes across the palate, spicy with ultra-ripe wild berry fruits that saturate, expertly balanced by a core of zesty acidity. The 2019 leaves a staining of primary concentration and grippy tannins, puckering the cheeks with youthful tension as salted licorice and balsamic spice notes fade. The 2019 Colle Vota will require time to fully blossom as it is primary and palate-staining today. Of note, production was down by a whopping 45% due to issues during budding. 2026 – 2034
Vinous, August, 2023