Garofoli farms Montepulciano on the rolling hills of the Marche, on Italy's Adriatic side, and bottles it under the Rosso Conero name. The 2020 is a firm, dark-fruited red that shows why this stretch of coast has been planted to the grape for centuries.
- Montepulciano, the grape of Rosso Conero.
- Marche, central Italy, Adriatic coast.
- 2020 vintage, dry, 13.5% ABV.
- Medium body, medium tannin, medium acidity.
- 750ml bottle.
How it is made
Rosso Conero is a small appellation on the Conero promontory south of Ancona, and it is built on Montepulciano, the same grape that gives Montepulciano d'Abruzzo its colour and weight. The vineyards sit on limestone and clay, close enough to the sea that the wines tend to keep a savoury, herbal edge rather than tipping into jam. Garofoli is based in Castelfidardo, and the family works across several Marche appellations, with Rosso Conero among the more structured reds in the range.
How it tastes
Black cherry leads, with dried herbs and a leather note underneath. The tannins are firm but not aggressive, and the acidity keeps the fruit from sitting flat. The finish is savoury rather than sweet, which is the signature of the style.
Good to know
Rosso Conero earned its DOC status in 1967, and the rules require a minimum of 85% Montepulciano, with Sangiovese permitted for the rest. The appellation covers just a handful of communes around Mount Conero, one of the few stretches of coastline in Italy where the hills drop straight to the Adriatic.
