This Is What Montepulciano Should Taste Like

The Benchmark Montepulciano: Marina Cvetic 2020

When people ask what Montepulciano d’Abruzzo should taste like, this is the bottle I reach for. I love when people disparage Pinot Grigio and Montepulciano, Trebbiano and Fiano. There are so many great expressions of these grapes if you know where to look, and almost always at great values. The 2020 Marina Cvetic Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, produced by Masciarelli, is one of the defining expressions of the grape—showing just how much depth, character, and sheer drinkability this variety can offer when treated with respect. I’ve had a long history with this wine while working in Italian restaurants, and this was always a go-to crowd pleaser that surprised and delighted many.

Masciarelli is one of Italy’s great modern wine success stories. Gianni Masciarelli not only raised the bar for what was possible in Abruzzo, but redefined expectations across the entire category. What makes this wine so extraordinary is its dual purpose: it is deeply rooted in estate-grown quality, drawn from 9 different vineyard sites across all four provinces of Abruzzo, yet it's crafted in a way that remains accessible, honest, and generous—a true ambassador for the region.

The vineyards that feed into this wine are a mosaic of microclimates and soils, from calcareous clay slopes near the sea to higher elevation sites that brush up against the Apennines. The vines are farmed sustainably and planted using a mix of traditional pergola and modern training systems—a structure that Masciarelli helped pioneer in Abruzzo. The 2020 vintage was a warm, dry growing season, but Montepulciano, with its resistance to drought and heat, responded beautifully—ripening slowly and steadily into early November.

In the glass, the 2020 Marina Cvetic is rich and saturated with dark cherry, violets, and an overlay of smoke and spice. There’s ripeness and power, but it’s also lively, clean, and wonderfully easy to drink. Fermented and aged in stainless steel with no fining or filtration, it delivers all the fruit and soul of the grape without distraction or makeup. The finish is long and juicy, with a supple texture that makes it a perfect pairing with roasted meats, pizza, pasta, or simply a second glass.