Delinquente The Bullet Dodger Montepulciano 2017
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2017 was the perfect vintage for these late ripening Southern Italian varieties. Dry conditions throughout vintage, moderate day time temperatures and most importantly cool, clear nights meant the fruit maintained natural acidity and allowed for steady, even ripening. Harvesting of the Montepulciano occurred mid-March, allowing the fruit to develop those smooth, juicy flavors Monte is known for.
Medium bodied with bright berry fruits and smooth, even tannins, this is an easy drinking, fruit forward wine, perfect with a wide variety of foods.
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Wine Enthusiast
This is a strong vintage of Montepulciano from this natural, smallbatch producer. And it’s wildly affordable to boot. From the hot climes of the Riverland region, where Mediterranean varietals thrive, this vintage gets it just right. It opens with appealing plum, blueberry, black pepper, baking spice, tobacco leaf and bushels of herbs. It’s full and plump in the mouth but is lifted by crisp acidity and backed by spicy, leathery tannins. A balance of power and finesse, but most importantly, hugely drinkable. Editors’ Choice.
Other Vintages
2018-
James
Suckling
The approach is to focus on sustainable grape varieties that need less water and thrive in the Riverland’s warm, dry climate. They are organically grown, single vineyard fruit, all sourced from a small family vineyard.
This is complemented with a minimal intervention winemaking approach including natural, open ferments and no adds in the winery besides a touch of SO2.
The wines are easy drinking, smashable, silky, elegant and fruit forward wines – but with a hidden, subtle complexity and structure.
Montepulciano is the second most planted red variety in Italy after Sangiovese, though it is achieves its highest potential in the region of Abruzzo. Consistently enticing and enjoyable, Montepulciano enjoys great popularity throughout central and southern Italy as well. A tiny bit grows with success in California, Argentina and Australia. Somm Secret—Montepulciano is also the name of a village in Tuscany where, confusingly, they don’t grow the Montepulciano grape at all! Sangiovese shines in yet another Tuscan village, here making the reputable wine called Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
Quite the powerhouse region thanks to its proximity to the Murray River (and thus irrigation potential), Riverland produces over half of South Australia’s total annual harvest. While its warm Mediterranean climate promotes large volume production, many smaller, premium producers abound. Australia’s usual suspects—Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet—do great but a continuing local push for heat-loving Italian varieties like Vermentino and Nero d’Avola promises future diversity.