Ultima Edizione 2019

Here’s a BIG customer favorite from Italy’s decorated Farnese Vini (Luca Maroni’s 2016 Winery of the Year). It’s an award-winning blend of velvety Montepulciano, spicy Sangiovese, luscious Primitivo and inky Negroamaro – made for rich, meaty meals.

Based in an ancient castle in Abruzzo, Farnese Vini has been named Italy’s Winery of the Year for 2016 (the third time in a row!) by Luca Maroni’s highly influential wine guide. Brought to you by quality-obsessed winemaker Filippo Baccalaro, the inaugural vintage of this cuvée debuted to International Wine Challenge Red Wine of the Year honors – and it’s had a cult following ever since. (Judges at Mundus Vini gave this 2014 release a prestigious silver medal.) One sip, and you’ll understand what keeps judges and fans alike coming back for more.

Filippo’s regular Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is “a wine to buy by the car-load,” says top critic Robert Parker. For this ‘ultimate’ challenge, he takes the same ripe Montepulciano grapes and blends in three other star varieties from across Italy’s sun-drenched south (hence quattro uve or ‘four grapes’ on the label).

With the addition of spicy Sangiovese from Abruzzo, along with berry-packed Primitivo and inky Negroamaro from Puglia, this pasta-perfect result is far greater than the sum of its parts. Low-yielding (flavor-boosting) old vines and Filippo's deft touch in the cellar (he barrel-ages and blends the different wines until achieving the perfect recipe) ensure a rich, complex, finely balanced wine.

In the glass, you’re in for billowing, ripe blackberry and licorice aromas, with hints of coffee and spice. The palate is velvety smooth with plummy, cherry richness through the chocolate-laced finish.

Like all great Italian reds, Ultima Edizione comes into its own when served with a meal. Pair it with pizza, meaty pastas like spaghetti Bolognese, or a hearty plate of osso buco(slow-braised veal shanks). Buon appetito!

Country	Italy
Varietal	Red Blend
Region	Abruzzo
Alcohol	13.0%
Volume	750mL
Vintage	2019