2017 Collefrisio In & Out Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Every now and then, a wine comes along that feels especially right for the moment, while still leaving a lasting impression.
That was the case with the 2017 Collefrisio In & Out Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, a wine we revisited today after letting it rest in our cellar for several years. We first encountered the Collefrisio wines, including this one, during a wine tasting with Al Purpura, Sales Manager of Vinoveritas in Largo who imports Collefrisio’s wines. (If you haven’t been to a wine tasting hosted by Al at one of the areas local wine shops, or checked out the other wines from his portfolio, you should!)
The 2017 In & Out felt like exactly the right wine for a Venice kind of Friday after a busy week – relaxed, sun-soaked (gently aged like most of us in Venice 😂), and a little more charming than expected.
From the first pour, it had that inviting, “stay a while” energy. Deep ruby in the glass, it opened with black cherry, raspberry, and plum, then kept going with little flourishes of herbs, pepper, and a faint mineral note that gave it a touch of seaside seriousness. With more time in the glass, the wine softened into hints of vanilla, toast, smoke, and tobacco – like the kind of layered conversation that gets better once everyone settles in and the sun starts to set on Middle Beach.
Part of what makes the 2017 In & Out so convincing right now is how clearly the winemaking shows up in the glass. Collefrisio makes it from 100% Montepulciano, gives it a long maceration on the skins, then ages it for 24 months in barriques followed by extended time in bottle before release. That helps explain why the wine carries both depth and polish: the long skin contact builds color, savor, and structure, while the barrique and bottle age bring in those notes of vanilla, toast, smoke, and spice and allow the tannins to settle into the softer, more composed shape that made this bottle so enjoyable today.
What I loved most is that this wine didn’t try too hard. It was generous without being heavy, polished without losing its roots. The fruit was still very much alive, but now wrapped in a more mellow, savory frame. The acidity kept everything fresh, the tannins were present but well behaved, and the finish lingered long enough to make you want another sip.
This is the kind of red that feels equally at home with dinner or with a slow evening on the lanai after the heat of the day finally lets up. It has enough structure to keep evolving for a year or two, but right now it’s in a really satisfying place – confident, balanced, and full of personality with soft ripe tannins.
If I had to sum it up simply: this is a beautiful drinking Montepulciano with depth, charm, and just the right amount of maturity. Very good, and exactly the sort of bottle that reminds you why it pays to hold onto a wine for just the right occasion (even if it’s just a casual evening unwinding from the week on the lanai). All of this makes me want to try other vintages of this wine and others from Collefrisio.
We enjoyed this wine, as we have all of the Collefrisio wines we’ve had. I hope you find an opportunity to try them as well! Find them locally at Rumours Wine Bar in South Venice/Englewood or Venice Wine & Coffee Co. in downtown Venice. Or look for Al at upcoming tastings in the area – keep an eye out for him and Collefrisio wines on our monthly events page!
Cheers! Tell us in the comments if you’ve tried a Collefrisio wine! ⬇️