Contrade di Taurasi Aglianico Irpinia DOC

Contrade di Taurasi is owned by Sandro Lonardo, a schoolteacher, and his wife Enza. The Lonardo family has been practicing viticulture for centuries, but Sandro only started bottling his wines in 1998. His estate is covered in own-rooted, tree-sized vines, trained around wooden stakes and wire in the traditional Starseto fashion. 

All of the Lonardo’s vineyards are in the official Taurasi zone, but more than half of the fruit is declassified to IGT Aglianico. This improves the Taurasi, but also gives us an excellent, more forward example of Aglianico. The Irpinia shows the distinctive flavors of the area - blackberry/raspberry fruit balanced with fresh acidity, a savory character that I associate with volcanic soils, and a rounder, more forward structure than Taurasi itself. Drink now, or in 3-5 years, with red meats or substantial pasta dishes.