Cataldi Madonna Montepulciano d'Abruzzo "Malandrino" 2023
(Abruzzi, Italy) - [VM 92] [WE 91]

About the Winery:
Founded in 1920, Cataldi Madonna has been carried forward by three generations of the family. Consisting of just over 65 acres, the estate is home to Abruzzo’s native varietal range and has been bottling its own wines since 1975. Located in the “oven of Abruzzo”, Cataldi Madonna resides in Ofena, a kind of amphitheater at the foot of the only Appenine glacier on Calderone in the Gran Sasso mountain range. Sitting at an elevation well over 1,000 feet, Cataldi Madonna’s location is a unique intersection of natural gifts which causes significant fluctuation in day and night temperatures, critical to the development of the grapes. Since 2003, Lorenzo Landi has consulted with Cataldi Madonna’s agronomist and winemaker, Raffaele Orlandini, in order to achieve ever increasing levels of quality in the wines, showcasing the potential of Alto Tirino through its native varietals: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Trebbiano, and Pecorino.

Ratings & Reviews

92 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2023 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Malandrino entices with its mineral-drenched bouquet of crushed rock and smoke giving way to herbal-tinged blackberry. It sweeps across the palate with silken textures and ripe red and hints of blue fruits as a wave of cool-toned acidity maintains lovely energy. Long and potent, this leaves a subtle coating of fine tannins and nuances of licorice as it tapers off. This is already appealing today, despite its notable structure. (Drink between 2026-2031)" - Eric Guido (5/25)

91 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"On the nose, aromas of cherries are lifted by undertones of red plum and strawberry, with a current of wet slate for balance. The fruit stays ripe and dense on the palate, but a nutty, herbaceous bite adds an elegance to the refreshing feel. A wine that evidences the new promise coming from this historic producer."