Unlike the vast majority of Montepulciano vineyards, Valle Reale is situated up in the Appenines, near the earthquake zone of Aquila. Result: the slopes get good sunshine in the day, but very cool nights and mornings, so the wine has a backbone of acidity that gives depth and liveliness to this red. The vineyard yields are far less than the wines from the coast, and the weather is more chancey, thus the wines are pricier, but they're in a class by themselves.