Torri Bakan Montepulciano 18

Italians and wine lovers worldwide love Montepulciano D'Abruzzo, the second most-cultivated grape in Italy after Sangiovese. The combined acreage of Montepulciano and Sangiovese in Italy accounts for most of the country's total wine production. Despite its name, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is not the same as Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, a wine made in the Tuscan village of Montepulciano and exclusively produced from Sangiovese grapes.

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is one of our favorite pasta pizza reds, and over the years, we've stocked a wide variety of this value-driven, versatile red. Its easy-drinking style pairs like a dream with practically any casual cuisine, and it's a regular go-to for enjoying on the porch and patio. While most producers in Abruzzo focus on their terrific everyday Montepulciano, many also produce an age-worthy Riserva release that's bigger, bolder, and bursting with dark, rich fruit. The Torri Bakán Riserva will take your Montepulciano D'Abruzzo enjoyment to the next level.

Torri Cantine was founded in 1966 as a cooperative, and, since 2004, has been a privately owned estate, shifting its focus to quality over quantity. The estate is located near the village of Torano in Northern Abruzzo, halfway between the Adriatic Sea and the Gran Sasso massif.

In the Northern Abruzzo, the Apennine Mountain Range is closer to the Adriatic Sea, and vineyards in this region are planted at higher altitudes with less fertile soil than those in the hotter Southern Abruzzo. This maritime and mountain climate combination is ideally suited for Montepulciano, and the estate's 60 hectares of certified organic vineyards reap tremendous benefits from this microclimate.

In your glass,  aromas of dark cherry, blackberry, and coffee beans are powerful and persistent in this full-bodied red made from 100% Montepulciano grapes. The palate is smooth and robust; however, it remains super soft, finishing with notes of balsamic, baking spice, and dark chocolate. It's a no-brainer with your Sunday-Best roast, ragouts, stews, and steaks.