Feudi di San Gregorio Serpico 2017

Feudi di San Gregorio draws Serpico from old Aglianico vines around Avellino in Irpinia, an inland corner of Campania at the foot of the Apennines. The volcanic soils and high-altitude vineyards give cool nights and a long growing season, so the late-ripening Aglianico holds its acidity and develops firm tannins while reaching full phenolic ripeness. The vines here are very old, some over a century, with low yields that concentrate the fruit. After fermentation the wine spends 18 months in barrel and a further 12 months in bottle before release, the oak softening the grape's naturally austere tannins through slow oxygen exchange and adding toast and spice. The colour is deep and dense. The nose shows ripe cooked blackberry and plum alongside dark chocolate, tobacco and a savoury, smoky edge from the barrel. The palate is full and structured, with the grippy tannin and bright acidity that mark serious Aglianico and carry a long finish of coffee and leather. This is a wine that rewards cellaring. Decant and serve at 17 to 18 degrees with rich meat dishes.