2020 EDIZIONE 22, Cinque Autoctoni Fantini. Abruzzo, Italy

The Primitivo, Negroamaro, and Malvasia grapes for this wine were grown in the communes of Colonnella, Ortona, Sava and San Marzano in Puglia. The Montepulciano and Sangiovese grapes are sourced from Abruzzo and higher altitude (300 metre) vineyards.

It is a blend of Montepulciano 33%, Primitivo 30%, Sangiovese 25%, Negroamaro 7%, and Malvasia Nera 5%.

Edizione Cinque Autoctoni is the flagship wine of the Cantina Fantini group. The group was founded in 1994 by Valentino Sciotti with the aim of producing top quality wine from Abruzzo. The company has since expanded into the South and Islands of Italy. What makes this wine so interesting – apart from its overt quality – is that it is a blend of 5 different varieties (hence the name) from both Abruzzo and the south – in Puglia.

This wine is the brainchild and creation of winemakers Filippo Baccalaro and Dennis Verdecchia. It is a blend of Montepulciano (33%), Primitivo (30%), Sangiovese (25%), Negroamaro (7%), and Malvasia Nera (5%).

2020 was a warm, dry summer following a milder and wetter winter and spring. There was optimal ripeness with intense fruit flavours but with balancing acidity.

This would benefit from decanting and aerating for a couple of hours before pouring. Can be enjoyed now but has the concentration and structure to age well for another 5 years of more and enjoy on its 10^th birthday.

Dry and full bodied, this wine has bold cassis and black morello cherry fruit flavours, with notes of Christmas cake, dried herbs, and soft spices. The tannins are rich and supple and there is a wonderful texture and mouthcoating feel. This is a magnificent wine which maybe fits the expression “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”.