2021 Fantini Edizione Cinque Autoctoni 23, Abruzzo & Puglia

Fantini Edizione Cinque Autoctoni 23 is a bold, unapologetically rich red that blends five native Italian varieties from two southern regions — Abruzzo and Puglia — into a wine that’s pure drama in a glass. Created by the Fantini Group, one of Italy’s most dynamic modern producers, this wine was designed from the beginning to defy classification. You won’t find a DOC or DOCG on the label because it doesn’t fit the rules — and that’s the point.

The blend is a powerhouse mix of Montepulciano, Primitivo, Sangiovese, Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera. Grapes are sourced from old vines across selected vineyards in Abruzzo and Puglia, many of which are dry-farmed and grown on hillside slopes with rocky limestone and clay soils. These low-yielding sites concentrate flavour and phenolic ripeness, while Fantini’s modern winery ensures the winemaking remains clean, polished and expressive.

Edition 23 pours inky purple with an explosive nose of black cherry, damson plum, cocoa, licorice, sweet tobacco and spice. The palate is full-bodied and velvet-rich, with ultra-soft tannins, generous fruit weight and a lingering finish that hints at dark chocolate, espresso and dried herbs. Aging takes place in a mix of French and American oak, adding a toasty layer of sweetness and texture.

This is a wine that calls for equally bold food — try it with bistecca alla fiorentina, slow-roasted pork shoulder, or a rich mushroom and truffle lasagne. While accessible now, it has the stuffing to improve over 8 to 10 years.