Masciarelli
Marina Cvetic ISKRA 2016
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane DOCG
ISKRA is the Serbian word for “spark,” and Gianni Masciarelli dedicated this wine to his wife, Marina Cvetic, who is from Serbia. It is among the Marina Cvetic line of wines, which Gianni created for his wife. Made from a single-vineyard cru of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, ISKRA is a wine of extraordinary distinction and depth.
VINEYARD
The vines are located in the province of Teramo at an altitude of approximately 2,400 feet above sea level.
Vine training is spurred cordon, and yields are low at 90 quintals per hectare.
WINEMAKING
The wine undergoes fermentation for 15–20 days in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Aging takes place in French barriques for 12 months, followed by 24 months in bottle.
TASTING NOTE
Inky ruby. Bright flinty, smoky notes complement the dark, spicy plum aromas and flavors. Herbal nuances add a complicating touch on the long finish. Plenty of oak here, but it’s well integrated.
Color
Red
Grape Varieties
Montepulciano
Appellation
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane DOCG
Farming
Sustainable
Alcohol
14.5%
Suggested Retail Price
$38
Reviews
“Elegant and accessible"
Wine Advocate - April 10, 2020 “The Marina Cvetić 2016 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane Riserva Iskra hits it out of the ballpark with an extra crisp zing and an energetic quality of fruit. I always think of the stubborn rockiness of the Apennines when I taste the wines of Abruzzo, and I am reminded of that characteristic firmness and rigidity here. Give the wine an extra year or two to unwind, but if you have a bottle in front of you, no harm is done if you decide to drink up now. This pretty Montepulciano is elegant and accessible at the same time. Enjoy it with a savory pie of ricotta, aged pecorino cheese and guanciale."
“Complex and intriguing"
Decanter - October 2, 2020 "Complex and intriguing nose of black plums and dark cherries seasoned by dried herbs and sweet clove spice. Powerful tannins with a chalky texture and a juicy fruit concentration balanced by a refreshing acidity."
"Undeniably elegant"
Vinous - April 7, 2021 "The 2016 is a darker and inward expression of the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva Iskra. A wave of violet florals and crushed stone minerals set the stage, evolving further to show rich brown spices, smoke and plum sauce. The wine is undeniably elegant, with velvety textures giving way to a display of ripe black berries and cherries. A more tactile edge toward the close, results in mounting tannins and savory spice. Structured and poised, this tapers off with youthful grip, only showing a glimpse of what’s to come with further cellaring. This is one of the most complete vintages of the Iskra Riserva that I’ve ever tasted, yet it will require time to fully come together."
Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
Marina Cvetic Trebbiano d’Abruzzo Riserva
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The Trebbiano Riserva Marina Cvetic represents the ultimate expression for the estate of one of the historical vines of Abruzzo. Like Montepulciano, Trebbiano was once thought to be a workhorse grape without the potential to produce great wine. The interpretation of this wine is original and has a character. Marina Cvetic wines have full body and are elegant and are a “lone voice” for the most demanding and technical experts.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
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Masicarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is the benchmark for Montepulciano in Italy and the world. Pioneering winemaker Gianni Masciarelli, who put winemaking Abruzzo on the map, elevated the wines from his native region to new heights, and his Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is a tribute to his home as well as a perfect introduction to the grape and to Abruzzo. This wine shows how, when handled with care, the late ripening Montepulciano grape produces refined wines of soft acidity, ripe and moderate tannins, and bright red berry and cherry notes with a distinct, spicy character.
Marina Cvetic Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Gianni Masciarelli one day suprised his wife by presenting her with this wine, from the grape he made famous from the region, named after her. Croatian in origin, her first reaction was that no one would be able to pronounce the wine. Because of the outstanding sites used to produce the wine and the serious winemaking care it undergoes, Marina Cvetic Montepulciano d'Abruzzo soon became the most widespread example of serious Montepluciano in the world.
Villa Gemma Abruzzo Bianco
Abruzzo Bianco
While the Villa Gemma Montepulciano was the wine that announced Abruzzo to the world, the Bianco, created just a year later, further defined what the region and grapes of Abruzzo could produce. This wine, first released in 1985, speaks to the white grape varieties specific to the region and has become on of the most exciting wines produced at the estate.
Villa Gemma Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo
Abruzzo Cerasuolo
Perhaps the finest rosé production area in Italy, and one of the few appellations dedicated only to rosé, Cerasuolo has a long history of producing serious rosé, and showcasing how well the Montepulciano grape is adapted to rosé. Masciarelli first produced this wine in 1986, only 5 years after the winery was founded. With deep fruit and structure but no shortage of pleasure, it is a rosé you can take to the dinner table.
Villa Gemma Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Started in Gianni Masciarelli's grandfather's basement, Villa Gemma is the wine that announced Abruzzo to the world, showcasing what the region and grapes of Abruzzo could produce. Villa Gemma Montepulciano Riserva is the only Italian wine with 14 consecutive Tre Bicchieri awards and, more importantly, was the wine that established Abruzzo as capable of making truly distinct, extraordinary wines. Villa Gemma Montepulciano Riserva is a powerfully - almost undeniably - intense wine of character and complexity, with deep fruit and earthy, spicy secondary charachteristics that could only come from the Montepulciano grape in Abruzzo.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
Trebbiano d'Abruzzo
Trebbiano is the white grape that Gianni Masciarelli fought so hard to legitimize. In Abruzzo, the specific clone is different than the high yielding, sometimes simple version of the grape found elsewhere in Italy. On Abruzzo's soils, this variety of Trebbiano creates immensely expressive, a touch opulent, and age-wort wines.
Rosato
Colline Teatine IGT
Abruzzo and the Montepulciano grape are famous for making arguably the finest rose in Italy, from one of the only appellations in Italy dedicated completely to rose; Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo. This Rosato is the little sister - a fresh and totally delightful expression.
