Dario d'Angelo "Il Gigante Che Dorme" Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOCG 2011

The D'Angelo Family has been producing wine and olive oil since the 1900s among the hills of Giulianova and Mosciano Sant'Angelo, in the Abruzzo Region.

"Just as it was back then, our main goal remains that of producing only the highest quality wines and olive oil with the distinctive characteristics of our land." —Tenute D’Angelo

The wine’s name was inspired by Gran Sasso d'Italia, the highest mountain of the Apennines, which forms part of an impressive and evocative mountain chain. When viewed from the plains, it looks just like a sleeping giant. The inhabitants of the Abruzzo region have given this mountain the nickname 'Il Gigante che Dorme' meaning 'The Sleeping Giant.'

This wine comes from the well-suited hills of Tenuta d'Angelo's vineyard, where a low yield of grapes occurs naturally: the land lends itself to vines that are naturally balanced with clusters of concentrated grapes of extraordinary quality. The result is a wine with all the strength and character that one might expect from the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo varietal.

This fine restaurant-quality imported wine is not available at LCBO stores.

GRAPE VARIETY: 100% Montepulciano d'Abruzzo.

ORIGIN: Giulianova and Mosciano Sant'Angelo (TE), Abruzzo, at 200 m above sea level.

AGING: Aged in Slavonic oak casks for 36 months, followed by refinement in the bottle for at least 2 years.

ALCOHOL: 15%.

TASTING NOTES: Deep red color with blue reflections. Very intense, complex, full and refined bouquet. On the palate, it is fruity, floral, full and spiced, with complex flavors of ripe wild berries, eucalyptus, peonies, blackberries, English roses, cocoa, vanilla and leather, resulting in a long, limpid finish.

PAIRING: It pairs perfectly with roast or marinated wild boar, roast lamb, red meat (especially game), strong cheeses, and dark chocolate. An excellent sipping wine to be enjoyed slowly in front of the fire.

SERVING TEMPERATURE: 18° to 20°C.