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It’s a rare occasion when you come across a wine that successfully marries a deep respect for winemaking tradition with the modern consumer’s demand for sustainability and finesse. But the moment I had the opportunity to taste the La Molla Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva 2018, I knew immediately it deserved a spotlight. This is a profound hit—the kind of wine I feel compelled to share with everyone.
The good news is that on December 1st, this elegant and nuanced Riserva from Abruzzo is joining Systembolaget’s fixed assortment. I’m already confident it will become a favourite fixture on many discerning dinner tables.
Abruzzo, with its dramatic landscape where rolling hills meet cool sea breezes, imparts a unique freshness and concentration to the Montepulciano grape. You can almost sense the salty air in the glass. La Molla has harnessed this heritage by using hand-picked, organic grapes and careful vinification. The result is a powerful, yet refined, classic updated for the modern era, clearly demonstrating that their focus on sustainability has not compromised quality.
I found the wine to be generous, fruit-forward, and remarkably well-balanced. The nose immediately offers a nuanced interplay between dark cherries, juicy blackberries, and plums. There are also unexpected, yet welcome, savory notes of balsamic, licorice root, and subtle purple florals, all gently underlined by the elegant hint of oak and chocolate.
On the palate, the wine is full-bodied but simultaneously smooth. The nine months spent in 225-litre oak barrels, followed by an additional fifteen months in steel tanks, has resulted in a harmonious blend of power and complexity. You find distinct layers of dark berries, spice, and a touch of fragrant bergamot, all wrapped in velvety tannins with a refreshing acidity that keeps the wine vibrant. It’s rich enough to enjoy on its own by the fire, but structured enough to elevate an exquisite meal.
This fantastic find will be available under Article Number 20177 at Systembolaget, priced at a very attractive 149 SEK for a 750 ml bottle (15% ABV). In my book, this 2018 vintage of La Molla is a must-add to your cellar rotation. Cheers!
