Sourced from an assortment of estate vineyards at 400-500 meters’ elevation, this 100% Aglianico from 2015 spent 20 months aging in large, used oak vats before bottling. This is a pitch-perfect expression of southern Aglianico: dark-fruited and brooding, smoky, woodsy, stony, aromatically complex and utterly unique…everything we’ve come to expect from Monte Vulture’s dark, mineral-rich, rust-hued basalt soils. Heady aromas of tangy blackberries, black cherries, violets, grilled herbs, espresso, tobacco, grilled meat, and pulverized black stones. On the palate, it has a brooding, forceful quality and some grip to the texture, so two serving suggestions are key to maximizing enjoyment: First, decant the wine a good 45 minutes before serving. Second, keep the temperature cool (60-ish degrees), which will de-emphasize the tannins and point up the beautiful dark fruit and florals. A wine worth building a day of hearty cooking around.