If Di Majo Norante is the undisputed king of Molise, then owner Alessio is the lone wolf. While his motto 'new wines from ancient vines' wont will any prises for originality, like many great producers, Di Majo is determined to express a sense of place by utilising traditional varieties with clean, modern winemaking. The wines sit proudly in Fruit=Terroir school; no 'rustic', earthy character here. To this end he has retained the services of Riccardo Cotarella - perhaps Italy's most in-demand consultants - to aid in maintaining such high standards. The viticulture is organic, which is remarkable given the prices they charge.
We have rarely found a wine that we love so much at this price level. It's just so damn delicious; so bright, pure and fresh and with so much character. Splash this around. Unlike so many wines from further south, it is not aggressively alcoholic or hot-tasting. It is both appetizing and layered as well as attractively velvety. The Moli Rosso is 80% Montepulciano and 20% Aglianico that has been grown in the Ramitello vineyard. The soil here is predominantly clay and the vines have an average age of 22 years. This wine is crammed with ripe cherry and mulberry fruit, spices and has a real savoury depth. Wrapped up in a film of sweet tannins, this is again one of the best value wines we have tried this year. With beautiful, ripe sweet fruit, and admirable richness here is more evidence that in the right hands Montepulciano can make absolutely cracking wines at this price point. The relative obscurity of Molice makes this a delicious alternative to the ubiquitous D'Abruzzo. Everyone's got an Abruzzo, only the brave, fearless and ridiculously good looking have a Molice by the glass. Whilst being clean and pure, there is no lack of personality or dirt under the fingernails quality. These could only be from Italy.