The 2007 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Villa Gemma is a tremendous wine that opens to an inky dark appearance and impenetrable concentration. This is a massive effort that shows beautiful integration and balance, albeit with super-sized intensity (it ages in barrique for 18 months). Dried blackberry, cherry liqueur, smoke, tar, road pavement, licorice, grilled herb cured meat compete for your attention. The wine is built like a tank with firm structure at the back and many deep layers of chewy fruit flavors.