Indeed, this wine was born in a vintage blessed with a memorably warm summer, yet a long, drawn-out, cool and dry autumn. This is important because, although the first half of the ripening was quick, in the second – we could say the more important – half, the grapes were exposed to conditions that are particularly crucial for developing the aromatic structure of this variety: namely, chocolate, rum, tobacco, and plum jam came to the forefront. It is a rich, full-bodied wine, but by no means cloying or dull, thanks to the significant and broad acidity. Its alcohol content is 15.5%, which is not at all out of place, but organically belongs to its character. It is a fine testament to the fact that great wines can be made even in the somewhat underrated Abruzzo. Hand-harvested, macerated in oak vats, aged for 3 years in 1-2-3-4 year old barriques.

Orsogna is a medium-sized, family-owned winery in the middle of the Italian boot. In recent years, they have embraced biodynamism, although this wine was not yet made in that spirit (2009).