The Italy Wine Project

Regions / Abruzzo

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Controguerra DOC

A small DOC built around the Illuminati family's home village, allowing Bordeaux grapes alongside Montepulciano. The flagship, Illuminati's Lumen, blends Montepulciano with Cabernet: black currant, plum, cedar and vanilla with polished tannin, closer to a Super Tuscan than to rustic Abruzzo. The whites (Passerina, Pecorino) are simple and fresh. Interesting mostly as a curiosity next to the region's varietal reds.

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Bottles I'm chasing

ProducerWinePriceBuy
Illuminati
Controguerra Rosso Riserva Lumen
Montepulciano plus Cabernet, oak aged, cassis and cedar with ripe, polished tannin; the DOC's flagship.
$40 to $50Wine-Searcher
Barone Cornacchia
Controguerra Pecorino Villa Torri
Organic Pecorino, lemon and green herbs with a bitter almond finish; the cheapest way to tick this DOC.
$14 to $18Wine-Searcher
Illuminati
Controguerra Bianco Ciafrè
Trebbiano based blend with Passerina and Chardonnay, soft and floral, meant for early drinking.
$14 to $18Wine-Searcher