2021 Pasetti Madonnella Montepulciano D’Abruzzo DOP

While traveling through the coastal town of Pescara overlooking the Adriatic Sea in Abruzzo, BHW owner and founder, Greg Martellotto, stumbled upon the wines of Pasetti. It seemed like all of the best restaurants in the area proudly featured the wines from the Pasetti's. After enjoying the wines while on holiday, he made a point to meet the family at Vinitaly. A direct import relationship quickly followed. Typically, BHW imports one or two wines from a winery. In this case, all of the wines were so impressive, we imported the whole range of wines. The wines from Pasetti are hands down some of the best from the Abruzzo region and indeed, at the top of many lists as among the best wines in all of Italy. We're pleased to introduce you to the Pasetti family.

The Pasetti vineyards are uniquely located inside of the Gran Sasso National Park. If you've been to Rome, on a clear day you can see the imposing Apennine mountains. These are mountain wines from altitude surrounded by the majestic beauty. This is a land of rustic charm and sunny hospitality. Wine Spectator calls it a “stunning, under-explored, year-round destination” and Travel + Leisure raves about its “stunning ocean views, three national parks, and rolling vineyards.”

The story of the Pasetti estate began in the early 1900s when Mimmo Pasetti’s great-grandfather Silvestro purchased the first vineyards, starting out as a grape grower. It was his grandson Franco who had the bold idea to bottle their wines under their own label. The family has weathered many storms, including the devastation of phylloxera, which wiped out many vineyards. They emerged stronger, reestablishing their vineyards in the 1950s and becoming a regional icon. Today, Mimmo Pasetti, along with his children Francesca Rachele, Massimo, and Davide,continue to elevate the family legacy, producing wines that are as distinctive as the region itself. This is a true family affair with all of the children involved in every aspect of the winery from winemaking, to sales and marketing and administration.

High up in the Pescosansonesco vineyards, at a lofty 550 meters above sea level, the magic happens. The clay-calcareous soils, rich in organic matter, paired with dramatic temperature swings and refreshing sea breezes coming from the Adriatic sea, create a terroir that’s perfect for crafting wines with bold acidity, powerful structure, and incredible aging potential.

As Domenico Pasetti says, “Wine is not an exact science but an experience of life.” Each bottle is a legacy of love and sacrifice, with a vision for the future.

Pasetti Madonnella is a wine that’s pure Abruzzo in a bottle. This single-variety Montepulciano dazzles with intense red fruit notes and deep powerful color. Rich in tannins, it’s a wine that grows more magnificent with time.

Ready to experience it? Let it breathe in your glass for some minutes before diving in. This wine is a match made in heaven for dishes like tomato-based pasta, wild boar, red meats, and aged cheeses.

Aging: 12 months in large oak barrels and aging in bottle

100% Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. Intense red ruby wine. Hints of sour berries, currant and blackberries, along with hints shades of licorice, cinnamon and black pepper. Tasting it, this wine is soft, with elegant and mature tannins. Excellent structure and persistence.

~94+ Greg Martellotto, BHW Founder, Vinitaly Italian Wine Ambassador

Full-bodied red with blueberries, raspberries, licorice and incense on the nose. Firm and chewy tannins here, supporting rather than detracting from the fruit. Try in 2024. ~94 James Suckling

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