2018 Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva Villa Gemma, Italy, Abruzzo, Wine Review

This is Masciarelli's top bottling.  15% abv.   Inky indigo in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is tight on opening but after about an hour, it opens nicely.  Notes of black cherries, clay, dried cherries, dark chocolate and black pepper.  A bit of sweet black raspberries come out with more air.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Polished texture.  Well balanced.  On the palate, black cherries with some char.  With air, chocolate notes come out.  Some black licorice on the finish.  Complex and deep if young.  This needs some time (or a long decant).  Ideally, cellar for five more years and drink over the next ten to fifteen.  Great on its own, this needs big (fatty) dishes. A classic would be Porchetta Abruzzese, a moist boneless-pork roast.