One of the most exciting things about working in wine is being introduced to a new producer and then, in turn, introducing them to you — particularly when said new producer lives up to the hype. A few years ago, we were shown the wines from a tiny, new, organic Abruzzo estate, Amorotti, and we knew we had something special on our hands.

If you read our previous article about Amorotti, you might remember that owner/winemaker Gaetano Carboni is friends with, and lives next door to, the legendary Abruzzo producer Valentini (who has been known to heartily endorse Amorotti to anyone interested). If you've ever been lucky enough to taste Valentini you'll surely recognize the stylistic influence they've had on Gaetano and his wines.

And while we think we can all agree that being Valentini's personal friend and neighbor is pretty cool (and an absolute dream for a burgeoning winemaker producing Montepulciano and Trebbiano), it certainly isn't the only reason to try Amorotti's wines. His inaugural vintage was just a few years ago, in 2016, and already Gaetano's wines are deeply soulful and full of character and depth — something that, due to the massive amounts of cheap and uninspired wine produced by many of the commercial wineries in the region, isn't often said of the wines of the Abruzzo. But producers like Amorotti, Valentini, and Emidio Pepe are challenging this narrative with gorgeous and complex expressions Montepulciano and Trebbiano. 

With 16 hectares under vine, Gaetano produces just 1,800 cases annually and sells off the rest of the fruit. In an ancient, labyrinthine cellar below the medieval town of Loreto Aprutino, all of the work is conducted with respect to biodynamic and natural practices. The wines are raised in wood barrels. Fermentations are spontaneous, with no temperature control.

The red is silky, bright, and layered with spice; the white teems with minerality, stone fruit, and crushed herbs. The Cerasuolo (a dark pink wine also made from Montepulciano) is, of course, somewhere in between. 

These wines are getting more and more popular this year, while our allocations continue to shrink, so please grab bottles while these are still available: 
 
Amorotti Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2022 - $53.99

Amorotti Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo 2022 - $53.99
 
Amorotti Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2020 - $59.99