Too deep-hued for a rosé yet too playful to be a red, this scintillating cerasuolo defies definition and then some. Floral scent recalls rose syrup. So much going on, with succulent wild berries and blackcurrant bite, peppery flourish and incredibly crunchy acidity. Blends perfume and perkiness of a rosato with poise and presence of a light red. Put simply, you get the best of both worlds. — ★★★★
Appellation: Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo
Region: Cugnoli, Abruzzo, Italy
Subzone:
Cépage: 100% Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Abv: 14%
Production:
Élevage: fermentation in stainless steel using only indegenous yeasts; no malolactic fermentation; aged in bottle
Distributor: Vintry
Critic Reviews:
The 2022 Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo seduces with its perfumed blend of crushed cherries and strawberries, complemented by rhubarb, violets and sweet smoke. It’s racy and sleek, built on energy, with a mineral core that grips the palate. A cascade of wild berries is excited by tantalizing acidity. This finishes dramatically long, lightly structured and full of zesty tension as salty nuances combine with tart red fruits and hints of sour citrus. The 2022 takes Cerasuolo to a whole new level. This is more a red than a Rosé, and with a bouquet to match. Drink: 2024–2027.
Eric Guido (Vinous, 05/2023) 94
Deep pink: this is a much deeper colour than usual for this wine, almost pale red in fact. Red cherry, cranberry, almond paste and flowers on the perfumed deep nose. Nicely fleshy on the palate, with red berries and chewy herb-accented forest floor flavours that are very pure and fresh. The energetic and brisk finish showcases surprising weight and glyceral personality to the repeating red cherry and berry nuances. Maybe the best ever Cerasuolo from Tiberio: the 2022 vintage benefited from noteworthy wind currents that led the grapes to develop thicker skins, meaning more extraction and a rounder, bigger mouthfeel to the wine but without losing any of its trademark elegance. Drink: 2023–2026.
Ian d'Agata (Terroir Sense, 05/2023) 95
Cristiana Tiberio
I was fortunate to be invited to taste the wines made by Cristiana Tiberio at a lunch seminar held at Pepino’s Spaghetti House on Commercial Drive. From the winery, “Agricola Tiberio is a family-owned estate, specializing in wines made from authentic Abruzzo native grape varieties. The story of Agricola Tiberio began in 2000 when Riccardo Tiberio purchased the eight-hectare plot…
