2016 Orlandi Contucci Ponno Colline Teramane Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva DOCG 750 ml

The dinner invite came just as we wrapped up a tasting in Monforte d’Alba, and it presented a dilemma: We could stick to our plan and hit the road for Turin or we could treat ourselves to first-class wining and dining at a hilltop osteria just 10 minutes away, crash at a local albergo, and pray that a few stiff espressos could get us moving in the morning. 

We weighed the pros and cons—until our host, Elena, reminded us that truffle season was in full swing. An hour later, we were sipping bubbly while a waiter showered platters of buttery tagliatelle with truffle shavings the size of Kennedy half-dollars. The scene was 100% Piedmont—except for one bottle. 

After she poured it for us, we stuck our noses in and were floored by the aromas: powerful stewed red and back fruit, rose petals, plum, violets, cedar, and a bouquet garni of dried herbs. We took a sip, slowly savoring the complexity of the 2016 Orlandi Contucci Ponno Colline Teramane Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. 

But once the agnolotti del plin and brasata hit the table, the bottle didn’t have a chance. Powerful and bold on the palate, finishing with ripe, grippy tannins, it’s the ultimate dinnertime wine when you’re having anything from pasta to game. After six years in bottle, it goes down extremely easy. 

“From our property in Abruzzo—the first property the families bought. 100% Montepulciano from 2016, cellared at the estate.” She smiled. “And because you are molto Americano, of course I have to tell you: 95 points.” 

Hand-harvested, fully destemmed, then aged at least two years in barrique and tonneaux, this wine is a seldom-seen jewel from an underappreciated region.