Pignolo is a Friulian variety that produces wines of a dark and brooding intensity, and one that requires real patience in the vineyard. Low yielding and unpredictable, Stanko first experimentally planted this special grape in ‘98, just below their cellar on the steep Radikon vineyard. This bottling comes from a precious half hectare of mature Pignolo vines, and, after extended barrel and bottle aging (roughly 6 and 8, respectively), it’s revealed a defined structure, full of woodsy, toasty spice with an herbal twinge, plum, roasted walnuts, ripe red cherry, coffee, and clove. Soft-textured after nearly a decade in bottle with a pure mix of wild berry fruits, a bitter twang of sour citrus, spice, and salt, and a line of acid running down the spine. Grippy tannins tug at the palate on the long, concetrated finish. A rare gem.