Aglianico

The grapes for the rare Naturalis Historia come from a 50-year-old vineyard located 400 metres above sea level with deep, sandy soils of volcanic origin in Mirabella. Deep, sparkling dark red colour. Redcurrant, sweet spices and aromas of dark plums and red cherries on the nose. Perfectly structured on the palate with well-balanced pressure and a full body that is never broad, but fresh, supple and very agile, leading to a harmonious, long-lasting final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, rich ruby red colour. On the nose with a noble use of wood, ripe, dark berry fruit, undergrowth, some dates, with an aftertaste of lightly roasted malt. On the palate with a fruit-accentuated entry, then balanced and very clear, with wonderful juiciness, spans a wide arc, present tannin, with pressure, long juicy return, wonderful Aglianico!" Falstaff

"Tobacco and ash give way to shaved cedar, cinnamon sticks and dried blueberries as the 2016 Taurasi Riserva Naturalis Historia blossoms. It is texturally deep and velvety, with a sweet and sour interplay of red and black fruits elevated by vibrant acidity and a black pepper tinge toward the close. The 2016 finishes long and potent, leaving fine-grained tannins that gently tug at the palate as inner earth ones and nuances of blood orange linger on and on. The 2016 is a fabulous vintage for Naturalis Historia that should enjoy a long and open drinking window." Vinous

"Now showing Riserva status, the Mastroberardino 2016 Taurasi Riserva Naturalis Historia is a beautifully elegant wine that is slightly dialed back in terms of intensity, making for very pleasurable and elegant results. The wine initially shows dark fruit and dried cherry, but the bouquet pivots to sweet oak, tobacco, barbecue smoke and campfire ash. Naturalis Historia is quite refined and nuanced, and it offers a very carefully polished and long finish. This is a vintage worthy of your cellar collection." Wine Advocate

"A wide spectrum of aromas here, ranging from crushed blackcurrants and raisins to toasted nuts, roasting herbs and black licorice. Full-bodied with fine-grained fruit and oak tannins that expand together with the fruit through the long, long finish. Loads going on here, but it’s all in balance and never heavy. Super aglianico that’s delicious to drink even now, but will age beautifully." James Suckling

Terra di Lavoro 2020 is still far too young to make a final judgement, but this much is already clear: With sufficient aeration, it continues to develop rapidly and offers new beautiful impressions with every new sip. Notes of red berries, aromatic hints of fresh and balsamic undergrowth. Plump and full in the mouth, very firm fruit core and a wonderful correspondence with the beautifully layered bouquet. Its structure and all aromatic components, its fine mineral vein and its present tannin profile suggest a wonderful ripening period. As it progresses into the final, it already carries noble balsamic notes, a wonderful fruitiness and beautiful persistence. 2020 will be one of the great Terra, if it is given enough time for further refinement in the bottle! SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, rich ruby red. In the nose of ripe cassis, noble undergrowth with fine resinous hints, then fine pepper spice, in addition dried rose petal, in the reverberation Amarena cherry. Radiant and juicy on the palate, polished, tightens up with elegant, albeit determined pressure, current in the finish with still young tannin, salty." Falstaff

"Unique aromas of blackberries, black pepper, asphalt and volcanic ash. Full-bodied with depth of fruit and layers of fine tannins. This is a structured and serious red with so much gravitas and reality to it. Deep and real. Take a look at it in about four or five years. Try after 2025." James Suckling

This is how Aglianico from Apulia goes: Star Oenologist Renzo Cotarella and his team impress with their quality offensive in the extremely dense and very complex Bocca di Lupo. Deep dark colour and just as aromas of liquorice, tar, black cherries and berries. Tightly woven tannins and a lively acidity give the wine power and potential for a little eternity. One of the greatest red wines of southern Italy! SUPERIORE.DE

"Fresh and harmonious, with a frame of fine-grained tannins creating plush texture for concentrated flavors of ripe black cherry, dried sage leaf, iron and ground anise and white pepper, which echo on the long, sculpted finish." Wine Spectator

A very special wine made from overripe and strictly selected Aglianico grapes that thrive in Mastroberardino's south-facing vineyards. The Taurasi is aged for two years in oak barrels and one year in the bottle. A wine with a fascinating personality, power and extremely high ageing Storage potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2018 Taurasi Radici is like pushing through a cinder block to find a treasure chest of exotic spices, incense and cinnamon-coloured blackcurrants. It's a soft and generous expression of Radici, with a depth of tart black fruits balanced by dark chocolate and sour citrus notes. It finishes with tremendous length, but without the typical hard tannins associated with Aglianico in its youth, leaving behind inner earth and herbal notes. The 2018 finishes on a savoury note. This Radici is a much stronger expression of Radici." Vinous

"Bright ruby red with a slightly brightening rim. On the nose, ripe heart cherries and dark forest berries, with an aftertaste of violets, leather and undergrowth, very complex. Fresh and savoury on the palate, with fine-grained and well-integrated tannins, lots of ripe fruit, long final, a long runner." Falstaff

"The Mastroberardino 2018 Taurasi Radici, with its distinctive black label, offers impressive complexity with a long succession of flavours that include dried blackberries, cherry liqueur, tarry smoke, campfire ash, sweet baking spices and cinnamon. Blackberries, rosemary sprigs and forest floor also characterise the bouquet. The whole is rounded off with soft tobacco. This wine displays powerful fruit and an equally balanced oak flavour. The tannins are well integrated and the Radici is long-lasting." Wine Advocate

"The nose is heavy with dark fruit and flowers, but edgier, slightly spicy aromas of graphite and pepper provide balance. On the palate, the fruit sweetens but is balanced by bitter dark chocolate, before an overwhelming earthiness arrives riding an avalanche of dusty tannins, and a rush of acid harkens back to the subtle metallic tang of the nose." Wine Enthusiast

"The Stilèma project was born as a testimony of Antonio Mastroberardino's love for his land, his vines and his wines, for their original character." Piero Mastroberardino

The project aims to highlight the link between the vines, the wines and their territorial origins. In this way, the Mastroberardino family wants to recreate the style of winemaking of the autochthonous grape varieties of Irpinia (Greco, Fiano and Aglianico) that took place between the end of the 1950s and the beginning of the 1970s of the twentieth century for the Taurasi and between the years 1970 and 1980 for the two white wines from Irpinia. It is the unmistakable style (the stilèma) of a family that has interpreted the natural heritage of its territory over generations and today impressively highlights the genuine character of the terroir, which by no means can be expressed by high concentration and intensity alone.

Stilèma Taurasi is an austere and complex wine with excellent drinkability and great ageing potential. A modern interpretation of the style of the great Taurasi from the 1950s and 1960s. Stilèma Taurasi is the result of a compositional work that has brought together different but synergistic micro-territorial stories, creating a unique and complex expressiveness. Pietradefusi, Montemarano, Paternopoli and Mirabella Eclano are the different sites of the family from which the grapes come, distinguished by their altitude, microclimate and soils.

Soft ruby red with delicate reflections and luminous transparency. The nose offers complex aromas, fruity and floral nuances in harmony with spicy hints, further on cherry, plum, blackberry, caramel, tobacco, vanilla, leather and cloves. Fresh, tasty, agile on the palate, with a silky tannin structure that harmonises well with all the other components. Tart and complex, with great drinkability and convincing length. SUPERIORE.DE

"Intense, sparkling ruby garnet. Opens on the nose with notes of pomegranate, blood orange, tobacco and cranberries. Very polished in attack and course, nice play, fine-meshed tannin, but overall seems a bit frothy, very far from the impetuous power of a Taurasi." Falstaff

"Fresh and elegant, this well-meshed red layers taut, fine tannins with a ripe core of cherry and cranberry puree, a streak of smoke-tinged minerality and accents of tea leaves and woodsy spices that echo on the finish." Wine Spectator

"The Taurasi Riserva Stilèma 2016 is a deeply sensual wine. Swirl the glass to discover the depths of sour cherry and red plum, accompanied by hints of spice cake and a pinch of clove. It is seamlessly silky and smooth, with a textural wave of polished blackberries and currants, underlined by salty minerals. The wine's density is balanced by vibrant acidity, while the chiselled tannins slowly assert themselves. The 2016 finishes with decent length and spicy herbal and acidic citrus nuances. In a very short time, the Taurasi Riserva Stilèma has established itself as one of the top wines in Mastroberardino's portfolio." Vinous

"This is a very refined expression of Aglianico with a clear red fruit character. With air, additional notes of pressed flowers, burnt orange peel and dark chocolate emerge, creating a complex whole. Medium to full body with well integrated tannins and a long finish. Delicious." James Suckling

"Here is another new Riserva to add to the portfolio of Mastroberardino wines. The 2016 Taurasi Riserva Stiléma is a traditional wine, or a reinterpretation of a traditional wine, that pays homage to some of the great bottles of yesteryear with shorter maceration times for moderate phenolic extraction and the use of neutral French and Slavonian oak that emphasise elegance over power. This streamlined and polished wine reveals dark fruits, cardamom, smoked tobacco and tertiary aromas of liquorice and tar that are just beginning to emerge. Despite the wine's age, you can taste the transparency of the fruit: Flesh, skins, stems and all." Wine Advocate

Feudi's Riserva Piano di Montevergine is only vinified in outstanding years. The wine has a very impressive concentration and great richness. On the nose dark fruit, blackberry, flowers and spices, on the palate elegant, powerful flavours flanked by silky polished tannins and wood aromas. A wine with enormous potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark and brooding, the 2015 Taurasi Riserva Piano di Montevergine slowly awakens in the glass with a captivating blend of menthol, mint and exotic spices that evolves with a vibrant note of cinnamon-dusted currants. Velvety smooth and elegant, this wine seems heavy at first, but is quickly enlivened by a core of vibrant acidity and zesty citrus notes that embellish the tart black fruits. The tannins on the finish are sweet and chalky, while notes of wild red plums and blood oranges keep the taster coming back." Vinous

"Rich ruby red with a slightly lightening rim. In the nose rather restrained at the beginning, then after ripe cranberries, sour cherries and plums, in the reverberation underbrush and tobacco. Powerful and lush on the palate, with polished tannin, finely balanced, has power, long and balsamic final." Falstaff

"Fleshy and vegetal notes on the nose with dried earth and pistachio skin. Also cloves. It is full-bodied with layers of ripe and dried black fruits, cloves, walnuts and smoked meat." James Suckling

"Sourced from the villages of Piano di Montevergine and Taurasi, this Riserva is harvested from relatively young vines aged between 15 and 20 years. Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, it focuses on graphite minerality and restrained cassis, enhanced by an herbaceous character and wild dark fruits linked by cocoa powder on the nose and palate. The tannins are velvety with tremendous mid-palate extraction and powerful acidity, yet the wine is balanced due to the great fruit concentration. Overall a bold style that will improve with age." Decanter

"This is a great vintage with plenty of spice and smoke. The 2015 is more explosive and the 2016 is more direct, refined and elegant. This wine has great volume in the mouth and is very impressive. Historically the best vintages of this important wine include 1999, 2001, 2010 and 2013." Wine Advocate

This strictly limited Riserva is only bottled in the best years. The bouquet is perfect and profound with aromas of dried fruit, blackberries, white smoke and crushed rock. Wonderfully structured on the palate with exact proportions and an almost weightless elegance that makes it one of the best red wines in southern Italy. Still youthfully intense, it still has plenty of time ahead of it. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant medium ruby red colour. Crushed raspberries and sour cherries on the nose with chalky, mineral notes and a hint of cooked rhubarb. Supple raspberry fruit with finely honed, long tannins still making their mark and interspersed with oak. Elegant weight on the palate. Very long with a long oak note. Modern approach." Jancis Robinson

"A rich, focused red with a spicy, sanguine edge to the fruit flavours of crushed cherries, black plums and raspberries. Offers a lively profile that coats the firm, chewy tannins well, while accents of stone, dried thyme and sage, orange peel and pink peppercorns linger on the finish." Wine Spectator

"On the nose, deep fruit notes of dried figs, plums and mulberries both accentuate and push back on dominant aromas of grilled meat and pepper. The fruit brightens on the palate, but an enduring earthy spiciness maintains depth, while strong yet polished tannins glide into an unexpectedly fresh, saline finish." Wine Enthusiast

"Honestly, it's hard to put this glass down. The Aglianico del Vulture Superiore Riserva Titolo 2018 seduces with a bouquet that brings the taster back down to earth, blending musky tones of animals, incense and grilled herbs with mint and spiced oranges. It coats the palate with a texture of pure silk and seems to float with its medium weight. A saturation of citrusy black fruits slowly builds, accented by inner sage and lavender tones. The 2018 feels nervous on the finish, structured and balanced yet full of tension, like a bomb waiting to explode. Sweet spice and liquorice notes slowly fade away. Elena Fucci has taken the Superiore Riserva Titolo to a whole new level. Forty-eight hours later, it still sings. The 2018 is still a baby in terms of development, but it's almost impossible to resist it now." Vinous

Elena Fucci's exceptional Titolo wine is already built for the long haul in its "basic version". It will continue its steady development for at least the next 20 years, which is why it is particularly enjoyable when aged in magnum format. Dark ruby red in colour, the bouquet has aromas of ripe red fruit and a fine woody spice. The wine is assembled with enormous precision, offering a balanced intensity and a beautiful degree of fruit purity that speaks both in favour of the Aglianico grape and the extreme region that produces it. Titolo impresses with its fine texture and elegantly integrated tannins. This is the kind of masterful Aglianico performance we love. SUPERIORE.DE

"On the nose, smoky, sanguine notes of graphite and cured meat are balanced by the fruitiness of cherries and red plums. The fruit notes headline the palate, but an undertone of chili jam leads into a resurgentally meaty finish, while acid bounces around contoured tannins." Wine Enthusiast

"The Aglianico del Vulture Titolo 2019 is stunning. It opens with an exotic flair that blends smoky plum and lavender with animal musk, ash stone and a hint of sour citrus that enlivens the senses. The palate is silky and supple, quickly gaining youthful tannic tension, but not before offering a taste of mentholated herbal tones and a depth of mineral dark fruit that will take centre stage after a few years of cellaring. The wine finishes incredibly long and structured, leaving a hint of primary concentration lingering under a hint of pretty inner flowers and savoury spice. I believe that the 2019 could one day be one of the best vintages ever produced by Elena Fucci's Titolo." Vinous

Dark ruby red, in the Bouquet aromas of ripe, red fruits and a fine wood spice. Elegant, soft, complex and fresh, the taste is exuberant and very flattering. A masterpiece from the Basilicata! SUPERIORE.DE

"Here's another great vintage from Elena Fucci, the ascending star of a rising wine region in the deep south of Italy. The 2015 Aglianico del Vulture Titolo shows a dark garnet color and robust appearance. Very characteristic of this extreme territory, this is a dark and penetrating wine with etched mineral notes behind blackberry, plum and savory spice. This vintage presents an even darker quality of fruit. In the mouth, you get iron, blood and dark mineral nuances that are absolutely typical of these darkened volcanic soils." Wine Advocate

"Fresh and well-meshed, this is a medium- to full-bodied red, with creamy tannins and a rich note of smoke-tinged mineral underscoring the lovely range of ripe black cherry, dried thyme and fig cake flavors and hints of ground cumin and white pepper. This is round and finely balanced, with a long, lingering finish that echoes the spice and mineral detail." Wine Spectator

"Elena Fucci crafts one single wine. The piercing and focused Titolo exudes incense, violet, dark earth and black cherry. Volcanic soil translates with vibrant energy. Muscular rather than plump and built to last." Decanter

Elena Fucci's exceptional wine Titolo is already built for the long haul in the "basic variant". It will continue its steady development for at least the next 20 years, so it is a joy to drink at a mature age, especially in magnum format. Dark ruby red, on the nose aromas of ripe red fruits and a fine wood spice. Put together with enormous precision, the wine offers a balanced intensity and a nice level of fruit purity that speaks both for the Aglianico grape and the extreme territory that produces it. Titolo convinces with its fine texture and elegantly integrated tannins. This is a masterful Aglianico performance, just the way we love it. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, dark ruby garnet. Fragrant nose of dried rose, ripe strawberries, a hint of vanilla, honey in the aftertaste, inviting bouquet. Opens softly on the palate with polished tannin, clear red fruit, stretches finely and elegantly over the tongue, compact tannin presses gently on the palate in the finish." Falstaff

"There's no mistaking the masses of pure, mineral-laden, musky Aglianico del Vulture fruit that wafts up from the 2018 Titolo. It's dark, with violet florals and smoke smoldering in the glass. The silky and pliant textures within wash a polished wave of mineral-tinged black fruits and savory exotic spices across the palate with ease, propelled by zesty acidity. Grippy tannins emerge, yet the mouth waters as a salty flourish lingers, along with hints of licorice and lavender. The 2018 won't be the longest-lived vintage of Titolo, but this beauty will excel easily through medium-term cellaring." Vinous

"Plush aromas of violet, juniper, cherry and bramble berry burst on the nose. Medium in weight, there's a driven, ample feel to the juicy red-cherry and blackberry flavors, with bits of tar and pressed rose arising on the midpalate. Yet, throughout the whole experience, bouncy berry fruit and zesty crushed mineral tones remain constant." Wine Enthusiast

Bright, powerful ruby colour, aromas of cherry, redcurrant, cocoa and tar. Juicy, spicy and bright, with firm acidity and taut tannins that give it definition and lift to the flavours. Very fresh and precise, persistent and smooth. It has outstanding potential. If you taste the decades-old wines from Mastroberardino (dating back to 1928), it becomes clear: these wines are monumental, immortal or at least for eternity. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich ruby red colour with a slightly brightening rim. Ripe blackberries and rich plums on the nose, with a subtle hint of dark chocolate, coffee grounds, liquorice and a touch of leather in the background. Powerful but well-integrated tannins on the palate, with plenty of ripe fruit and a long final." Falstaff

"The nose is tart, spicy and assertive, with aromas of blackberries, pepper and hot iron. On the palate, black cherries bolster the blackberry tartness, before new intrigue comes in the form of a fresh herbaceousness and a coffee bitterness. Acid punches past strong yet silent tannins." Wine Enthusiast

"Complex and deep character with ripe blackberries, sultanas, dried roses, dark chocolate, roasted walnuts, dark liquorice and wild mushrooms with some tar. Full-bodied, multi-layered and compact with a broad and velvety tannin structure that lingers on the palate. Classic, restrained style with a hint of sweet tobacco on the finish. Needs three to four years to fully develop." James Suckling

"An indispensable part of the peninsula's winemaking history, a Taurasi that is impossible not to call iconic. Cherries and laurel on the nose, a hint of eucalyptus, dogwood peel and undergrowth, salty, dense and compact in the mouth, with a citrusy finish." Luca Gardini

Serpico is an authentic, long-lasting wine made from Aglianico grapes, some of which come from vines that are over 100 years old. Intense, deep ruby red colour and an extremely complex bouquet with aromas of cherries, sweet spices, liquorice, coffee and cocoa. Its exceptional concentration and flavour as well as the enormously long-lasting finish are impressive. SUPERIORE.DE

"A beautiful nose of ripe red berries with sweet vanilla and chocolate. Medium body with firm tannins and good acidity that brightens the character of the black and red cherries. Good balance and length." James Suckling

"Firm and minerally, with a core of fine, dense tannins wrapped in flavours of crushed black and red cherries, iron, earth, tobacco and dark chocolate. Fresh and graceful on the palate despite its tight mesh, it opens slowly and lingers on the well-seasoned finish." Wine Spectator

"The Feudi di San Gregorio 2016 Irpinia Aglianico Serpico has taken the proverbial turn towards tertiary flavours, or at least a first turn, showing pressed blackberries and blackcurrants surrounded by tarry smoke, campfire ash and toasted spices. The 2016 vintage will be remembered for its power and inner elegance, and these are the very qualities that have carried this wine so far and will continue to define its journey in the bottle. The finish reveals dusty volcanic notes and dry tannins with a medium-heavy mouthfeel." Wine Advocate

"The savory nose features the weathered sophistication of leather, cigars, soil and pepper, while undertones of oregano, tomatoes and cherries provide a burst of energy. On the brighter palate, the cherry element is emphasized by raspberries, but a savory balance persists. Acid crackles around gleaming yet firm tannins." Wine Enthusiast

Taurasi Riserva Della Società is a powerful and complex Aglianico, the grapes for just 3,500 bottles per vintage come from a vineyard parcel of 1.2 hectares in Paternopoli. It consists of "piede franco" vines over 100 years old, planted on stratified and complex calcareous soils with a basalt substrate at an altitude of around 550 metres. The special characteristics of this Irpinia region, with the volcanic nature of the soil, the altitude of the hills and the strong temperature fluctuations, produce red wines of great vigour, but also elegance and longevity.

Intense ruby red, tending towards Burgundy, with orange-coloured reflections. Characteristic bouquet, ethereal, rich and complex with aromas of forest floor, wood, bark, tobacco and coffee, which constantly evolves in the glass and always reveals new impressions. Dry, full, harmonious and balanced on the palate, with a lingering finish. The Riserva della Società offers a great structure with noble, fine-grained tannins that are perfectly integrated and never aggressive, opening up great potential for further refinement in the future. Everything is in its place here: great acidity and freshness as a counterpart to the alcohol and the warm, extremely powerful personality. SUPERIORE.DE

"One hundred per cent Aglianico, matured in chestnut wood barrels. A very fruity, young, spicy, playful wine, drinkable, full-bodied, with densely woven but very fine tannins and a surprising lightness on the palate. A wonderful world of its own, of which there are only 2500 bottles per year." Vinum

"In the glass, the 2014 Taurasi Riserva Della Società is dark and brooding, showing deep notes of crushed plum, tobacco and earthy tones, enhanced by balsamic spices and camphor. The longer it lingers in the glass, the more complex it becomes, adding liquorice, dark chocolate and lavender to the mix. It is elegant with a texture of pure velvet, but not heavy, as a core of nervous acidity and sour citrus accentuates the tart black fruits and exotic spices. Grippy tannins and a bitter hint of sour wild berries and tangerine linger, and the 2014 retains an astonishingly fresh vibrancy through it all. The Taurasi Riserva Della Società is a resounding success for the vintage, showing incredible depth and surprising accessibility. Raffaele Pagano sources the fruit for his Riserva from an ungrafted vineyard from before the phylloxera plague, planted between 150 and 200 years ago." Vinous

2018 was another challenging year for classic, natural winemaking. And yet Terra di Lavoro is more classic than ever in this vintage: Dark ruby with violet reflections. Compact, initially closed nose, then the wine opens up with dark tones of blueberry, eucalyptus and liquorice root. Likewise on the palate, restrained at first and only gradually do the seemingly endless layers open up to reveal plenty of fruity notes, a sweet and sour charge of red berries and a beguilingly vinous taste experience. There is no doubt about it, this is the wildly romantic interpretation of a Terra di Lavoro that could not be more authentic and we are very curious to see how it will develop in the coming years/decades. Because so much time simply has to be. SUPERIORE.DE

"A celebrated blend of 80% Aglianico and 20% Piedirosso, the Galardi 2018 Terra di Lavoro is redolent of plum and dark cherry confit. There is a mature, baked quality to the fruit with background notes of white pepper and ample spice or vanilla from French oak. However, the wine is tannic and sharp in terms of mouthfeel, and you can't help but wonder if phenolic ripening was off in this vintage. It might just need to smooth out with more bottle age." Wine Advocate

"The 2018 Terra di Lavoro is wonderfully expressive and fruit-forward, with a bouquet that blends violets with sweet autumnal spices, black cherry and blueberry jam. It’s soft and round in feel, filling the palate with ripe red fruits, as a savory-salty tension builds, and brisk acids maintain an unexpectedly vibrant impression. Its structure comes forward through the finale, pinching at the cheeks with grippy poise, while leaving a seductive mix of plum, licorice, hints of tangerine and purple-tinged inner florals. While I don’t expect the 2018 to be the longest-lived Terra di Lavoro, it will deliver many years of drinking pleasure after only a short stay in the cellar. Frankly, its bouquet alone makes it difficult to pull yourself away from the glass. This is a blend of 80% Aglianico and 20% Piedirosso that spends a year in barrique." Vinous

"Crushed berries, black pepper, cloves, ash and hot stones. It’s full-bodied and dense with chewy tannins and a long, flavorful finish. It’s tight and very structured in the mouth. Chewy yet polished tannins. Unique flavors of tar and black stones. Drink after 2024." James Suckling

Campania's winegrowers look back on 2019 as a dream year with joy and satisfaction. Everything was just right here and the quality and quantity of the grapes harvested left little to be desired. Full, rich ruby red colour. Captivating notes of black cherries, cocoa, graphite and sweet spices on the nose, with white smoke and dried flowers in the background. On the palate, it has a beguiling extract sweetness and further fruity textures, which interweave with salty flavours and a subtle minerality that make up a typical Terra di Lavoro. The polished tannins and a hint of graphite round off the endlessly long flavour experience and make the wine a true beauty to remember. Challenging and tantalising, just the way you like it! SUPERIORE.DE

"Year after year, this blend of Aglianico and Piedirosso produces one of my favourite wines from Campania. The grapes (from a blend of 40% younger vines and 60% vines up to 25 years old) are grown at an altitude of 450 metres on volcanic soils between Sessa Aurunca and Galluccio, which are predominantly west-facing. It is fermented in stainless steel with selected yeasts and matures for 12 months in French oak barrels. It has a dark purple-red colour and shows restrained notes of cassis, Modica chocolate, fresh leather and black olives. The attack is firm, broad and refined, with youthful, grainy tannins of great extraction on the mid palate, followed by a sweet aftertaste. Dark fruit acidity is abundant, well integrated yet brilliant, giving the wine a relaxed drinkability." Decanter

"The Galardi 2019 Terra di Lavoro shows pretty density and concentration that offers firmness without feeling heavy or too thick. The bouquet does show a savory character of charred spice and cured tobacco that follows dark fruit and baked plum. This is a very elegant, medium to full-bodied Campania red." Wine Advocate

"The Terra di Lavoro 2019 seduces with a dramatic bouquet that blends wild blueberries with crushed violets, cloves, dried orange peel and a lovely hint of sweet smoke. This wine is a model of elegance, velvety yet cool in flavour. A lively, acidic core keeps masses of ripe red and black fruit in constant play. The tannins are chiselled, creating a crisp feel, and although the wine is structured for the long haul, it remains surprisingly fresh and graceful. The sophistication and balance of this wine tantalises the imagination. The 2019 is not to be missed." Vinous

"The polished oak is immediately noticeable on the nose, but then comes a fabulous array of black fruits with dark plums, blackcurrants and berries, as well as some coffee cream and chocolate. Full-bodied and intense with silky layers of fruit, dark chocolate and fine, grainy tannins that pick up many of the fruit and flavour aromas and lead into a long finish. Delicious to taste now, even to drink, but it will improve in bottle. Best from 2023 onwards." James Suckling

On the full bouquet we find ripe dark fruits complemented by spiced oranges, sage and mint with a hint of green olive. On the palate, velvety textures are contrasted by cooling acids, while polished black fruits wash over the senses, leaving a mix of salty minerals and fine tannins with a hint of violet flowers. The finish is long, packed with masses of ripe blackberries, plums and sweet herbal tones, but also perfectly structured and, for all its youthfulness, very balanced and harmonious. Luigi Moio and his team have interpreted this vintage brilliantly and have once again set new standards with this year's edition of the single-vineyard Aglianico. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich, sparkling ruby colour with a slight violet tinge. Intense and at the same time finely characterised nose, aromas of ripe blackberries, cranberries and blood orange, slightly resinous components in the background. On the palate as if from a single mould, present, crisp berry fruit, opens up with present, pithy tannins in many layers, with an emphatically spicy finish." Falstaff

"The Quintodecimo 2018 Taurasi Riserva Vigna Grande Cerzito (with fruit from volcanic soils, ash and pumice) is richly concentrated but also impeccably balanced with a very dense textural base to support an intense bouquet that is interwoven with black fruit, spice, tar and oak toast. The tannins are slightly drier in this wine and the mouthfeel is just a tad more streamlined, giving this wine the tools it needs to become more elegant and fine with extra time in the bottle. It's a classic Taurasi with long aging potential." Wine Advocate

"Aromas and flavours of Amarena cherries and plums with some vanilla from the oak. With a medium to full body, this Taurasi Riserva is almost light on its feet, although it lacks neither tannic structure nor fruit weight. A fine example of a Taurasi that is beautifully balanced from start to finish, without being overly fat in any area. It is already accessible now, but will clearly gain in complexity with some ageing." James Suckling

"Incense and cloves combine with musky blackcurrants and violette pastille to create a darkly seductive bouquet as the Taurasi Vigna Grande Cerzito 2018 slowly blossoms in the glass. It is pure seduction on the palate. It is silky smooth and refined with polished dark red fruits and sweet herbal notes accompanied by a lively acidity. It leaves the palate with hints of liquorice, tarry blackberries and fine-grained tannins, but the mouth demands more. This is pure class. This is a truly harmonious Grande Cerzito that no lover of Quintodecimo should be without." Vinous

Luigi Moio is one of the most famous professors of viticulture and oenology in Italy and the Cru Vigna Quintodecimo is his showpiece in the stable. This wine has a unique and seductive class, richness and elegance that outshines the entire volcanic appellation. The initially restrained bouquet only gradually opens up in layers, releasing new impressions every minute. Violets, ripe blackberries, blueberry skins, plums and white smoke unfold like a magic bag and are found in the energetic mouthfeel together with finely knit tannin and a fresh fruit-acid interplay. The texture is impressively silky and underlines the tremendous elegance and harmony of this exceptional Aglianico, which will reach its most exciting phase in 10-15 years at the earliest. SUPERIORE.DE

"Really dense, crushed, ripe red berries and red plums on the nose, together with a pestle and mortar melange of fresh herbs. The fruit concentration is quite something. But then the full-bodied palate disperses the heavily concentrated fruit into a superb balance of fluid fruit and tannin that offers great drinkability even now. This will only improve with some bottle age. Try from 2023." James Suckling

"The 2016 Taurasi Vigna Quintodecimo is incredibly primary and intense. A massive wave of black currants, plums, exotic spice, roses, leather, wet stone and underbrush blasts up from the glass. It enters the palate with fleshy ripe dark fruits offset by hints of tangerine under pretty violet florals; yet throughout the entire experience, grippy tannins slowly saturate. Bright acids create a surprisingly juicy impression through the finale, even as the 2016 flexes its structural muscle, tapering off persistent and impeccably balanced with hints of licorice that linger long. It’s amazing how approachable the 2016 comes across today, yet it also possesses all of the necessary components to excel over the next two decades in a cold cellar." Vinous

"The 2016 Taurasi Riserva Vigna Quintodecimo reveals a rich and silky texture. Any rough edges have been adequately softened and ironed out with barrique age. The management of the tannins is superb with this vintage of Aglianico. The wine's steady presence offers a taut sounding board for dark fruit aromas, oak spice, campfire ash and sweet, earthy afternoons. The aromas are presented with spicy and vertical intensity. This lovely wine would cozy up nicely to a classic steak with green pepper sauce." Wine Advocate

Luigi Moio is one of the most famous professors of viticulture and oenology in Italy and the Cru Vigna Quintodecimo is his red showpiece in the stable. This wine possesses a unique and seductive class, a richness and elegance that outshines the entire volcanic appellation. The initially restrained bouquet only gradually opens up in layers, releasing new impressions every minute. Violets, ripe blackberries, blueberry skins, plums and white smoke unfold like a surprise bag and are reflected in the energetic mouthfeel together with finely woven tannins and a fresh interplay of fruit and acidity. The texture is impressively silky and emphasises the tremendous elegance and harmony of this exceptional Aglianico, which will reach its most exciting phase in 10-15 years at the earliest. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Taurasi Vigna Quintodecimo 2018 is a deep purple colour in the glass. It smells of a sweet, tantalising blend of medicinal black cherries, cloves and dusty roses. The palate is more serene and refined than expected, and savoury too, with a savoury mix of blackberry and cocoa giving way to grippy tannins. The 2018 finishes structured and long, leaving a hint of primary concentration. It is surprisingly fresh and finishes with nuances of sage and lavender. Patience is needed for the 2018 to integrate its strong oak influence, but it will be worth the wait. The balance on the inside is exceptional." Vinous

"One of the region's headline wines, the Quintodecimo 2018 Taurasi Riserva Vigna Quintodecimo (with fruit from limestone soils) is gorgeous and makes a beautiful first impression. This was a cool and challenging growing season with rain at inopportune times followed by a hot summer; however, the talented team at this estate has navigated these obstacles brilliantly. Ripe blackberry and baked plum are framed by exotic spice, Spanish cedar and campfire ash. The tannins will soften with more bottle time, and this vintage remains quite tight and dense at this young stage. Give it time." Wine Advocate

The Serpara is elegant, intense and long-lasting every year. Its grapes come from a single vineyard and the wine matures in a combination of new and used French Allier oak barrels. In the glass, it exudes aromas of blackberries, tobacco, sage, thyme and a hint of smoked meat. It has a soft, almost creamy texture and juicy acids that keep the balance, while ripe black fruits and minerals move effortlessly across the palate. The bold tannins make their presence felt on the final, but are more of an accent that frames the experience well, while hints of dark chocolate and balsamic spices slowly fade away. SUPERIORE.DE

"This wine from the cru of the same name is the interpretation of the tension and juiciness of Aglianico. The mouthfeel shows notes of alcoholic cherries, laurel and white pepper. Dense and exciting on the palate, with iodised, chalky tannins and a fruity finish." Luca Gardini

"This wine has aromas of rosemary, dried strawberries, grilled plums, smoked paprika and mocha. It is spicy and flavourful, with a full body and firm, chewy tannins. Long, spicy and smoky finish." James Suckling

Elena Fucci's exceptional wine Titolo is already built for the long haul in the "basic variant". It will continue its steady development for at least the next 20 years, so it is a joy to drink at a mature age, especially in magnum format. Dark ruby red, on the nose aromas of ripe red fruits and a fine wood spice. Put together with enormous precision, the wine offers a balanced intensity and a nice level of fruit purity that speaks both for the Aglianico grape and the extreme territory that produces it. Titolo convinces with its fine texture and elegantly integrated tannins. This is a masterful Aglianico performance, just the way we love it. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, dark ruby garnet. Fragrant nose of dried rose, ripe strawberries, a hint of vanilla, honey in the aftertaste, inviting bouquet. Opens softly on the palate with polished tannin, clear red fruit, stretches finely and elegantly over the tongue, compact tannin presses gently on the palate in the finish." Falstaff

"There's no mistaking the masses of pure, mineral-laden, musky Aglianico del Vulture fruit that wafts up from the 2018 Titolo. It's dark, with violet florals and smoke smoldering in the glass. The silky and pliant textures within wash a polished wave of mineral-tinged black fruits and savory exotic spices across the palate with ease, propelled by zesty acidity. Grippy tannins emerge, yet the mouth waters as a salty flourish lingers, along with hints of licorice and lavender. The 2018 won't be the longest-lived vintage of Titolo, but this beauty will excel easily through medium-term cellaring." Vinous

"Plush aromas of violet, juniper, cherry and bramble berry burst on the nose. Medium in weight, there's a driven, ample feel to the juicy red-cherry and blackberry flavors, with bits of tar and pressed rose arising on the midpalate. Yet, throughout the whole experience, bouncy berry fruit and zesty crushed mineral tones remain constant." Wine Enthusiast

Dark, concentrated ruby red colour. Complex on the nose with an abundance of ripe red and black berry fruit aromas, including sour cherry, blackcurrant and elderberry, followed by notes of dried violets, sweet spices, liquorice, cocoa powder, mentholated tobacco and eucalyptus. Rich and multi-layered on the palate, powerful and soft with youthful but well-integrated tannins and excellent acidity. Only reveals its large reservoir of impressions after some aeration. Very long on the finish, great ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"The deeply umami nose features aromas of balsamic, pepper, soil and iron, with an undertone of sun-dried tomato providing some levity. On the palate, a wave of tart fruit crashes over more leathery, meaty flavors, before a hot finish that's underscored by tightly wound tannins and acid." Wine Enthusiast