TIBERIO
PESCARA - ABRUZZO
“Fonte Canale is one of Italy’s ten to twelve best white wines… I do not believe I have ever scored an Italian white wine 100 points yet, but frankly, it’s only a matter of time before one between Valentini and Tiberio gets there…”
“We are focused, extremely focused – I would like to say obsessed – with the native grape varieties. I want to be more precise: not just the native grape varieties, but the real native aspects of these varieties. We are in a cool area, and for us it’s very important to respect the vines and the fruit which are native to this geology and these climatic conditions, through massale selection. Any decision I make for my soil, my vineyards, or my wine depends on the respect of our heritage, identity, and character of our terroir.” - Cristiana Tiberio
Cristiana and Antonio Tiberio have had a brisk rise to superstardom, but careful study and decades of patient work lie behind the evolution of the family’s estate. Inspired by a very old vineyard of Trebbiano Abruzzese (the highest quality, extremely rare form of Trebbiano), Tiberio was established in 2000 near the town of Cugnoli. The vines were 70 years old and practically dead at the time, yet team Tiberio coaxed them back to health. Today, that tiny pergola-grown vineyard produces one of Italy’s finest white wines, Fonte Canale. It is a chiseled, crystalline wine with an immense capacity to age. It is also produced without oak making it the best representation of Trebbiano d’Abruzzo that there is. As well as their mastery of this special cultivar, Tiberio is recognised as “…the undisputed quality leader when it comes to making Pecorino…” while their four Montepulciano wines rank amongst the finest in the region.
Tiberio only produces wines from massale selected vines of local genetics found in their specific sub-zone of Pescara province and Cristiana, a trained chemist, is deeply passionate about the hyper-local, attributing the success of her wines to years of careful observation, discovering the distinctive characteristics of their site, vines and environment. The results of this work are spectacular. These are deeply thoughtful, pure and precisely made wines, crafted from carefully tended sites, and intended to preserve heritage and essence of their place.
Tiberio is at the cutting edge of fine wine in Italy.
Get in touch to express any interest in an allocation of these wines.
THE WINES
2023 Tiberio Trebbiano d'Abruzzo DOP
From a three hectare vineyard planted to pergola Abruzzese in the late 1940s in sandy limestone at 350m. The free run juice is spontaneously fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel. No malo. Unfined, unfiltered.
“The 2023 Trebbiano d'Abruzzo opens with a vivid bouquet of yellow apples, incense, chamomile and a dusting of confectionary spice. It contrasts salty mineral tones, sour lime and Granny Smith tartness with juicy acidity to create a tense yet zesty performance on the palate. This leaves a citrusy concentration that puckers the cheeks as hints of sour melon fade. Masterfully done. In my opinion, the Trebbiano d'Abruzzo is one of the most overlooked and underrated wines in the Tiberio portfolio.” 93 points - Eric Guido, Vinous
“Luminous green-tinged yellow. Very pure nose that is more floral than usual but also more intense, with yellow and green apples, fresh citrus fruits, pear, white flowers, and a nuance of anise on the enticing nose; I can’t remember the last time this wine had a nose that was so impressive. Then at once densely packed and racy, with superb cut and clarity to the flavors of white fruit, lime and crushed stone, complicated by an obvious candied gingery note. With its bracing, almost youthfully high-acid finish, but buffered by ripe fruit of sneaky concentration and complexity this leaves a very impressive lingering aftertaste behind. At times with even very good Trebbiano d’Abruzzo wines you get a piercing mouthful of wine but not much in the way of facets: the great thing about this 2023 from Tiberio is that, though bigger and more textured than some previous vintages, it remains very faithful to the variety and kicks things up quite a few notches, without ever becoming tiresome or caricatural. It’s just an outstanding vintage for the grape variety and this wine showcases that in spades, and then some. One of the best Trebbiano d’Abruzzo wines from Tiberio in years; in many respects, this is really a baby Fonte Canale, so you know this offers a ton of value for the money.”
93 points. Drink 2026-2031 - Ian D’Agata, Terroir Sense
2021 Tiberio Trebbiano d'Abruzzo DOP ‘Fonte Canale’
Read the Fonte Canale story HERE and HERE.
Ian D’Agata Fonte Canale vertical 2011-2019 https://terroirsense.com/en/p/6647.html
Fonte Canale is produced from 736 pre-phylloxera vines planted to pergola Abbruzzese in the 1920s across 1.5 hectares at 380 metres on a clay-limestone soil with a high percentage of sand. These particular vines represent a unique biotype of the already rare Trebbiano Abruzzese (named Fonte Canale) that looks and acts differently due to having mutated and adapted to their position over a century. The free run juice is spontaneously fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel. It ages in stainless steel and bottle for 18 months before release. No malo. Unfined, unfiltered.
“Wildly fresh, the 2021 Trebbiano d'Abruzzo Fonte Canale is impossible to ignore, with a vivid blend of fennel and minty herbs, stone dust, flint and crushed green apples. This flows across the palate with liquid florals and depths of lime-infused orchard fruits, taking on a distinctly salty sensation toward the close. A whiplash of minerality and zesty acidity enlivens the finale as the 2021 finishes with staining concentration yet still vibrant and chiseled. Fonte Canale remains the benchmark for Trebbiano d'Abruzzo, without a runner-up anywhere in sight.” 95+ points - Eric Guido, Vinous
“Pale yellow-green color. Layered low-pitched nose combines ripe apricot, candied ginger, crushed flint, candied lemon, balsamic oils plus saline and white flower nuances. Quite reserved today but very pure, displaying outstanding depth and richness but also wonderfully penetrating thanks to an underlying strong acid spine. Closes saturating the entire mouth with tactile minerality and repeating balsamic oils, plus a stronger than usual gingery note. A great example of this super wine, if in a different style in relation to the year (for the first time thay had to lightly press the grapes because tehre was little or no free-run juice because of the smaller grapes in relation to the heat and wind of the year that made for thicker skins and smaller berries). Very rich in keeping with the year’s weather, but doesn’t taste thick, in the way of the best examples of this famous wine. This has delivered on its early promise but will require patience to show all it has to offer.”
96 points. Drink 2026-2031 - Ian D’Agata, Terroir Sense.
“...a nose bursting with stoney, minerally, chalky notes, cut Amalfi lemon and a white pepper tingle. A big squeeze of lemony juice that electrifies the palate. Nothing less than spectacular.”
18 points. Drink 2024-2036 - Jancis Robinson.
2023 Tiberio Colline Pescaresi Pecorino IGP
An extremely special wine in its own right as the subject of Cristiana’s investigation into biotypes and terroir around this ancient grape. Read an outline of Cristiana’s in-depth study HERE.
A 3.8 hectare vineyard divided into three sections planted with different biotypes. The middle section, named CE, is the largest at 1.8 hectares and was planted in 2000. SX and DX are the other parts. CE is vinified separately to SX and DX with the final wine a 60/40 blend. The free run juice is spontaneously fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel.
“…the undisputed quality leader when it comes to making Pecorino wine is the Tiberio estate.”
- Ian D’Agata, Terroir Sense
“Wickedly fresh, the 2023 Pecorino opens with a pretty blending of stone dust and white smoke, giving way to young peach and sage. This splashes across the palate with soft textural waves while maintaining fantastic energy. A spicy mix of sour lime and green apples saturate the senses. The 2023 cleans up beautifully, tart and mouthwatering, with a saline feel and a sensation of liquid stone. This zesty and wiry Pecorino from Tiberio is a total pleasure to taste.” 92 points - Eric Guido, Vinous
2023 Tiberio Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOP (Montepulciano)
A 9 hectare, south facing vineyard planted in 2000 to limestone soils at 350 metres. Destemmed. The free run juice is spontaneously fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel.
“Light red-pink. Raspberry, cherry skin and spice cake on the nose, with a subtle floral quality adding complexity. Juicy and fresh, this nicely concentrated Rosato boasts mineral-accented red berry flavours and slow building spiciness. Closes long and tangy, with greater stuffing and a bigger fruit-forward profile than some recent vintages. This is powerful enough to handle richer foods such as white meats and pasta and pizzas with tomato sauces.” 93 points. Drink 2026-2031 - Ian D’Agata, Terroir Sense
“A translucent ruby in color, the 2023 Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo is lifted and finessed with a gorgeous bouquet of rose petals, cedar shavings, wild blueberries and crushed stones. This washes across the palate with ease, juicy and vividly fresh, as ripe wild berry fruits cascade across a core of tactile minerals. Hints of savory spice emerge toward the close. It leaves a pleasantly bitter tinge to linger on, tapering off with hints of sour cranberry and violet inner florals. I love the crunchy nature and filigree feel of the 2023.” 92 points - Eric Guido, Vinous
2022 Tiberio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOP
From two vineyards totalling 15 hectares planted in the 1960s, trained to pergola Abruzzese, and 2000, to guyot, in clay-limestone soils at 350 metres. Spontaneously fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation. Aged in stainless steel and a few months in bottle before release. Unfined, unfiltered.
“Spicy to the core, the 2022 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wafts up with a blend of crushed cherries and wild berries, dusty violets, lavender and traces of incense. This is elegant in feel with silken textures and rich red and blue fruits. A crisp mineral sensation forms toward the close. The 2022 leaves the palate drenched in primary concentration, finishing with edgy tannins offset by a spike of residual acidity. Frankly, it's incredible that this is Tiberio's entry-level red, as the 2022 displays impressive depth and complexity. It's also a tremendous value. This is the total package.” 94 points - Eric Guido, Vinous
2020 Tiberio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOP ‘Archivio’
“And another future Italian wine star is born.” - Ian D’Agata, Terroir Sense
In production since 2017, Archivio is from their oldest plot of Montepulciano – 1.5 hectares of pergola Abruzzese trained vines at 380 metres in limestone and clay (the only Tiberio site with a strong presence of it). This vineyard is the source of all their massale-selected Montepulciano and contains 4 biotypes. Darker and with greater density to their other Montepulciano wines, oak is uniquely employed due to the greater need for oxygenation.
Spontaneously fermented for 40 days in temperature controlled stainless steel. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation. 30% is aged for 12 months in new barrique and 70% stainless steel, followed by 12 months in bottle. Unfined, unfiltered.
Investigate this special site and its biotypes HERE.
“Intense, the 2020 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Archivio seduces with its pungent aromatic display, blending cedar shavings with balsamic spices, cooling smoke, plum sauce and grilled herbs. Soothingly round and supple, this floods the palate with ripe wild berry fruits and hints of blood orange. A web of fine-grained tannins mounts toward the close. It finishes with staining length and structure, leaving sour cherry and inner sage to linger on and on. Patience will be required yet also rewarded.” 94+ points - Eric Guido, Vinous
2020 Tiberio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOP ‘Colle Volta’
1.6 hectares of massale selected Montepulciano planted in 2000 at 350 metres to limestone and marly-clay over sandstone. Spontaneously fermented for 20 days in temperature controlled stainless steel. Aged in stainless steel and a few months in bottle before release. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation. Unfined, unfiltered.
Colle Volta is a unique example of both place and grape variety that is renowned for its elegance as it develops into a new biotype of Montepulciano. For in-depth detail on this regal wine see HERE.
“The 2020 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colle Volta is a spice box on the nose, with wilted violets and hints of spiced-orange, white smoke, clove and dried black cherries. It's pleasantly sweet upon entry, with a cool toned feel and lavender-laced wild berry fruits that gain in tension and complexity as a flinty-mineral concentration forms toward the close. This resonates like liquid velvet, leaving sweet tannins offset by hints of sour citrus, finishing long and potent. The balance within is otherworldly. This elegant and harmonious Colle Volta will pay dividends in the cellar, and I wouldn't be surprised if it warrants a higher score down the road.” 96+ points - Eric Guido, Vinous
“Good deep, bright red. Knockout aromas and flavours of dark fruits, violet, licorice, menthol and flint. Dense but seamless, with wonderfully precise broad, palate-staining red fruit and mineral flavours. Offers a texture of liquid velvet but also boasts a light touch that is very Colle Volta. The long aftertaste features fine-grained tannins, wonderful class and depth.” 95 points. Drink 2026-2031 - Ian D’Agata, Terroir Sense
