Shockingly found TWO Aglianicos on a curt list and, when given the choice between cheap plonk and expensive plonk, the choice is obvious. Besides, I don’t care to put money in Mastroberardino’s pockets–there’s just SOOOOO many more-accurate producers in the region. Despite one being Taurasi DOCG and the other merely Avellino IGT, I opted for the $20 entry. Campania may be famous for their whites–but I do love me some Aglianico.
Suitable clear ruby-blue with a rim of garnet. Good rustic nose expressing terroir properly with copious sharp vegetal and funky briar. Deep, plummy fruit packed in heavily below.
Lush and mouth-filling on the palate, the fruit a rich raspberry and pie-cherry spiked with sharp penetrations of acid and structure. Briar makes short introduction for whopping tannin: the match-head instincts of which linger far into a chalky, jammy finish. Easily one of the best wines for the occasion grabbed off an Italian resty list in recent memory.
2020 LAPILLI Aglianico IGT Beneventano Campania Naples Italy 14.0
Stephen McConnell 