The 2005 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a simple, straightforward wine with good red fruit perfect for casual, informal drinking. At $10 a bottle it is virtually impossible to beat for value. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2011. The passing of Gianni Masciarelli in 2008 left a huge void in the world of Italian wine. To be honest, I haven’t always been the biggest fan of Masciarelli’s wines but his contributions to the oenological landscape in Abruzzo are irrefutable. Most importantly of all, he aimed for, and often achieved, a level of quality that inspired other producers to follow suit. Importer: Masciarelli Wine Company, Weymouth, MA; tel. (781) 335-6620