Tag Archives: aglianico

Casebianche ‘Il Fric’ Rosato Paestum IGP 2016

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Estate: Seeking a better quality life, Elisabetta Luorio and her husband Pasquale left their careers in architecture in Naples to return to Elisabetta’s family’s farm, Azienda Agricola Casebianche. The estate is located in the famed “Magna Grecia” coastal region of southern Italy that was settled by the Greeks in 800 BC. The 14 hectare property [of which 5.5 hectares are vineyard] is just inland from Agropoli in Campania, southwestern Italy. The area’s winemaking roots go all the way back to those ancient Greeks; grape cultivation and wine drinking are a predominant theme in the artifacts discovered in the region.

Passionate about non-interventionist winemaking, Elisabetta and Pasquale follow organic and biodynamic methods. In addition to the vines, there are also olive and fig trees, along with citrus groves. For an in depth look at the estate, check out their bio page on their importer’s site, Giannoni Selections.

Winemaking: Grapes are from the 1 hectare Dellemore vineyard with clay and limestone soils. Hand harvested, and gravity fed, a 6 hour maceration before skin removal gives the wine its intense colour. Bottled and re-fermented in the bottle by adding grape must to create its sparkling quality. No sugars, yeasts, or sulfites are added, not disgorged. Certified organic.

Tasting Notes: Copper-red in colour with aromas of fresh summer strawberry, wild flowers and a thump of Brothers Johnson funk. Chalky mineral driven, with fresh strawberry and raspberry gliding about light, frizzante bubbles. Finishing clean and fruity. Engaging, expressive, funky and refreshing, this was fantastic on its own, and with vegetable tartare and smoky polenta.

Winemaker’s Note: It is recommended to invert the bottle before opening in order to reintegrate the lees.

100% Aglianico
Paestum IGP
Italy
Estate Bottled by Azienda Agricola Casebianche
12% Alcohol
€14 [I paid around €20 in a restaurant in Florence.]
Enjoy now

Cantina del Taburno ‘Fidelis’ Aglianico del Taburno 2009

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A refined and straightforward Aglianico fantastic with hearty dishes.

Estate: Founded in 1901, Cantina Del Taburno is a consortium of grape growers located on the slopes of Mount Taburno, in the province of Benevento in Campania, southern Italy. Since 1999 winemaking has been under the direction of Professor Luigi Moio of the University of Naples. With 300 viticulturists members, the cantina is the leading producer in the zone, and are known for their excellent and affordable Aglianico wines.

Winemaking: In addition to encouraging the advancement of indigenous grape varietals, the winery practiced organic farming, using only organic fertilizers, copper and sulphur based products when absolutely necessary, and very low amounts of sulphur in the production of their wines. The grapes for Fidelis were sourced from vineyards with volcanic soils, fermented in stainless steel and aged in both large oak casks and old French oak barriques.

Tasting Notes: Brick garnet in color with aromas of candied cherry and hints of cigar box spice. Tart, vibrant cherry along with blackberry complimented nuances of smoky tar and licorice on the dry, lengthy finish.

90% Aglianico, 10% Sangiovese
Aglianico del Taburno / Campania
Italy
Estate Bottled by Cantina del Taburno
13% Alcohol
$12
Enjoy now thru 2017

Rated 90 points by The Wine Advocate

Tenuta Ponte La Loggia Aglianico Irpinia 2009

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A fantastic value, this is a versatile Aglianico packed with jammy fruit and rich earth notes that keeps you reaching for more.

Estate: Tenuta Ponte is located in the Campania region of southern Italy and consists of 35 hectares of vineyards. Brothers Alexander, Nicholas and Modestinus Di Stasio, along with Pepe and Antonio Giusto own and run the estate.

Winemaking: The two sets of brothers are “united by their passion for wine” and utilize a synthesis of “dynamic and modern” methods in the vineyard and winery.

Tasting Notes: Red-violet in colour with aromas of blueberry jam and rich sandalwood. Blueberry, cherry and tart pomegranate fruits were spread across an earthy undercurrent, whilst dry tannins, spicy black peppercorn and traces of licorice comprised the lengthy finish.

100% Aglianico
Irpinia
Italy
Vinified and Bottled by Tenuta Ponte s.r.l.
12% Alcohol
$12
Enjoy now thru 2015

Grifalco ‘Gricos’ Aglianico del Vulture 2009

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Structured, with dark fruits and firm tannins, huge ageing potential and one of the oldest cultivated grapes, Aglianico is persistently fascinating. Increasing in popularity and on the rise, winemakers are crafting this elegant and robust grape in a variety of styles so I am always on the lookout for approachable, “drinking now” Aglianico.

Grifalco was founded in 2004 by Tuscan winemakers Fabrizio Piccin and Cecilia Naldoni who decided that southern Italy was more auspicious then their native Tuscany. The name Grifalco was developed from the abundant hawks that thrive in the Vulture region, and the mythological griffin. The Piccin family currently has 18 hectares of mineral rich vineyards located on extinct volcanoes. The Gricos is their entry level “everyday wine” made from young vines with an average age of 15 years.

Dark red-violet in colour with aromas of dried flowers, cherry and earth. Black cherry, lead minerals and herbaceous elements rested on firm tannins and a lengthy finish of dark chocolate and traces of cigar box spice. Clean and smooth, this is a lovely, straightforward Aglianico fantastic with substantial, hearty dishes.

100% Aglianico
Aglianico del Vulture
Italy
Estate Bottled by Lucania s.a.s. Piccin Fabrizio
13.5% Alcohol
$16
Enjoy now thru 2018

Cantina Del Taburno ‘Albarosa’ Rosato 2012

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ag rosato

Founded in 1901, Cantina Del Taburno is a consortium of grape growers located on the slopes of Mount Taburno, in the province of Benevento in Campania, southern Italy. Since 1999 winemaking has been under the direction of Professor Luigi Moio of the University of Naples. With 300 viticulturists members, the cantina is the leading producer in the zone, and are known for their excellent and affordable Aglianico wines. In addition to encouraging the advancement of indigenous grape varietals, the winery also farms organically, using only organic fertilizers, copper and sulphur based products when absolutely necessary, and very low amounts of sulphur in the production of their wines.

I was enthusiastic to give Albarosa Rosato a pour since it’s not too often I happen upon Rosé Aglianico. A gorgeous watermelon pink in colour with aromas of dried strawberry and slate minerals. Strawberry and clean minerals culminated into a crisp finish of citrus zest and traces of white peppercorn. Simple and easy drinking, this is best for sipping on its own or with very light dishes.

90% Aglianico, 10% Sangiovese and Merlot
Campania
Italy
Estate Bottled by Cantina Del Taburno
13% Alcohol
$13
Enjoy now