2018 Pasetti Harimann Montepulciano D’Abruzzo DOP

James Suckling calls Montepulciano d'Abruzzo "solid, rich, easy-to-like, and best of all wallet-friendly wines"—and he's right. Most deliver those signature bright blueberry and blackberry flavors, generous oak and vanilla, and smooth mocha finish that make them fly off our shelves (seriously, we can't keep them in stock).

But Pasetti Harimann takes this beloved grape and pushes it into extraordinary territory. While other wineries play it safe with crowd-pleasing simplicity, Harimann delivers austere complexity and layered nuances that evolve with every sip, transforming casual wine nights into memorable experiences.

This isn't just another wallet-friendly Italian—it's proof that you don't need to choose between exceptional depth and great value. Get this same complexity from Napa or Bordeaux and you're looking at $100+ bottles…

While exploring the coastal beauty of Pescara, where the Adriatic meets Abruzzo's rugged charm, BHW founder Greg Martellotto made a discovery that would change everything. Every top restaurant in town were proudly pouring wines from one family: the Pasettis.

After falling in love with these wines during his holiday, Greg knew he had to meet the family behind them at Vinitaly. What followed was immediate—a direct import partnership that broke all our own rules. While BHW typically imports just one or two wines per producer, Pasetti's entire range was so extraordinary that we brought them all.

These aren't just some of Abruzzo's finest wines—they consistently rank among Italy's absolute best. We're thrilled to introduce you to the Pasetti legacy.

The Pasetti vineyards occupy something truly special: prime real estate inside Gran Sasso National Park. These are the same imposing Apennine peaks visible from Rome on clear days—mountain wines born from altitude and surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. This is where rustic charm meets sunny hospitality, earning recognition from Wine Spectator as a "stunning, under-explored, year-round destination" and praise from Travel + Leisure for "stunning ocean views, three national parks, and rolling vineyards."

The Pasetti story began in the early 1900s when great-grandfather Silvestro purchased the first vineyards, starting as a humble grape grower. His grandson Franco made the bold leap to bottling under their own label, but the family's journey wasn't without struggle. Phylloxera devastated their vineyards, yet they emerged stronger, rebuilding in the 1950s to become a regional icon. Today, Mimmo Pasetti leads alongside his children Francesca, Rachele, Massimo, and Davide, continuing to elevate the family legacy with wines as distinctive as the region itself. This is a true family affair—every child involved in winemaking, sales, marketing, and administration.

High in the Pescosansonesco vineyards at 550 meters above sea level, something extraordinary happens. Clay-calcareous soils rich in organic matter meet dramatic temperature swings and refreshing Adriatic breezes, creating terroir that's perfect for wines with bold acidity, powerful structure, and incredible aging potential. As Domenico Pasetti puts it: "Wine is not an exact science but an experience of life." Each bottle carries generations of love, sacrifice, and vision for the future.

Ready to experience it? Let it breathe in your glass for some minutes before diving in. This wine is a match made in heaven for dishes like tomato-based pasta, wild boar, red meats, and aged cheeses.

Montepulciano, native to Abruzzo, thrives in clayey soils and stands up to droughts. This late-ripening grape boasts one of the highest anthocyanin concentrations in the world. Packed with rich tannins and intense red fruit notes that are truly mesmerizing.

Aging: 24 months in French oak barrels.