Ciavolich, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Divus, 2021
Ciavolich, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Divus, 2021
- 75cl
- 14%
- Red Still
- Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
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Optimal drinking window: 2026 - 2035
Est. delivery in late summer, 2026
Ciavolich is one of Abruzzo's most serious addresses, and Divus is their flagship red — a single-vineyard Montepulciano d'Abruzzo that sets out to prove just how much ambition this grape can carry.
The 2021 vintage delivered warm, dry conditions across the Adriatic coast, and the result is a wine of real concentration: dark fruit, dried herbs, and a tannic structure that demands either time or a long decant. This isn't the easygoing, fruit-forward style that gives Montepulciano d'Abruzzo its everyday reputation. Divus is altogether more serious.
Right now, the 2021 Divus is in what you might call its awkward adolescence — the fruit is concentrated and the tannins are gripping, but the two haven't yet fully resolved into one another. By 2027 or 2028 we expect the dark fruit to begin integrating with the herbal and earthy secondary notes, at which point the wine will hit a very satisfying middle period. The plateau should run comfortably from around 2028 to 2032, with the tannins softening but still providing backbone. Beyond 2033, the fruit may start to fade faster than the structure, so we wouldn't push it much past 2035 unless your cellar is impeccably cool.
Tasting Notes
AppearanceDeep, inky ruby-purple with very little sign of evolution at the rim.
NoseDark plum, black cherry, and dried violets lead, with a backdrop of wild herbs, dried tobacco, and a faint iron-like earthiness. There is real depth here, even if it takes a few minutes in the glass to open up fully.
PalateFull-bodied and firmly structured, with ripe but chewy tannins that coat the mouth without being harsh. The dark fruit is generous and the acidity keeps everything lifted, with a thread of dried rosemary and cocoa running through to the mid-palate.
FinishLong and savoury, with the tannins lingering alongside a mineral, almost rocky quality.
Overall impressionA genuinely ambitious Montepulciano that earns its flagship status — built for the table and for the cellar in equal measure.
Food Pairings
In Abruzzo, a wine like this would sit naturally alongside arrosticini — those deceptively simple skewers of chargrilled mutton that are essentially the region's culinary religion. Slow-braised lamb with rosemary and garlic is another obvious match, as is agnello alla brace, cooked over open coals until the fat chars and crisps. Pecorino di Farindola, the rare local sheep's cheese aged with pig's rennet, is worth seeking out as a pairing that surprises every time. Hearty pasta dishes like pasta alla chitarra with a rich lamb ragu are the everyday expression of the same idea.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 17-18°C — any warmer and the tannins can feel heavy and the wine loses definition. Decanting is not optional here; give it at least 45 minutes, and closer to 90 minutes if you are opening it young. A large Burgundy-style bowl will help the nose open up and let the herbal and earthy notes emerge properly.
The Divus vineyard sits in the inland hills of Pescara province, where clay-rich soils with a strong calcareous component give the wine its characteristic grip and minerality. Altitude here moderates what can be an intensely warm Adriatic climate, preserving freshness and extending the growing season into the cooler autumn. The combination of heat during the day and cool nights concentrates flavour without losing the herbal and earthy character that defines the best Abruzzese reds.
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC covers the Adriatic-facing hills of Abruzzo and requires a minimum of 85% Montepulciano in the blend, though most serious producers use 100%. The grape — entirely unrelated to Tuscany's Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which is Sangiovese-based — is known for its deep colour, robust tannins, and dark fruit character. At its best, it rivals the structure of southern Italian heavyweights like Aglianico, though it is still criminally underrated by comparison.
The 2021 growing season in Abruzzo was not without its difficulties. A cooler, wetter-than-average summer slowed ripening and raised concerns about disease pressure in the vineyards, demanding real attentiveness from growers. Those who managed the canopy carefully and held their nerve on harvest timing were rewarded with fruit that had genuine freshness and structural definition rather than the over-ripeness that warmer years can bring to this part of central Italy.
What landed in the cellar was, broadly speaking, a vintage of tension and brightness rather than sheer weight. Montepulciano d'Abruzzo produced wines with firmer tannins and vivid acidity, which suits the variety well when you want something that can actually develop. Pecorino and Trebbiano d'Abruzzo came off particularly well, with a crispness and focus that makes them a pleasure to drink now. The reds are in a good place but have more to give, and we would be comfortable cellaring the better examples until 2026 or beyond.
FAQs
What does Divus taste like?
Dark plum, dried violets, wild herbs, and a firm tannic grip with a long, earthy, mineral finish. It is a serious, full-bodied red with real depth — not the light, approachable style that gives Montepulciano d'Abruzzo its everyday reputation.
When is the best time to drink the 2021 Divus?
It is drinkable now with a good long decant, but it will be at its most rewarding from 2027 onwards. We would drink it until around 2035, after which the fruit may start to fade ahead of the structure.
Does it need to be decanted?
Yes, and generously. Allow at least 45 to 90 minutes in a decanter before serving. The tannins are firm and the wine is still fairly closed — decanting makes a real difference to how it shows in the glass.
What food works best with this wine?
Slow-braised or grilled lamb is the classic regional match, but anything with rich, savoury character — a long-cooked ragu, aged hard cheese, or chargrilled red meats — will do the job well. It is built for the table rather than solo sipping.
Is this worth cellaring?
Genuinely, yes. Divus is one of the more age-worthy wines in the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo appellation, and the 2021 vintage has the concentration and structure to develop well over the next five to eight years. If you have the patience, it will reward it.
How does Divus compare to other Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wines?
Most Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is made for early drinking and everyday pleasure — fruit-forward, soft, and approachable. Divus sits at the opposite end of that spectrum: single-vineyard, structured, and built for ageing. Think of it as the appellation's answer to the question of what this grape can do when someone takes it seriously.
OUR GROWERS
Ciavolich
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