This rich, chewy, full-bodied red mixes dark blackberry and black cherry skin fruit character with rustic briar, tobacco and cherry pit notes, ending with a flavorful finish of fruit, spice and bitter almond. Aglianico and Pedirosso. Drink now through 2018. 850 cases made, 275 cases imported.??–NW??Region: Italy / South / Falerno del Massico Select to Add

Masseria Felicia’s 2008 Falerno del Massico Ariapietrina bursts from the glass with black fruit, tar, licorice, incense and crushed rocks. It shows quite a bit more depth and richness than the straight Falerno del Massico bottling, both of which suit these indigenous varieties very well. A rich, intensely satisfying finish rounds things out in style. This is a fabulous bottle of wine. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2019. Masseria Felicia is one of the most intriguing wineries in one of the regions of Southern Italy with the richest history, Campania. Importer: Vinifera Imports, Ronkonkoma, NY; tel. (631) 467-5907

The 2007 Falerno del Massico Rosso Ariapetrina is a dark, powerful wine just starting to show its considerable pedigree. It possesses gorgeous intensity, beautifully articulated dark fruit and a long, impeccable finish. Some rough edges remain, but further aging in bottle should help quite a bit. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022. Importer: Vinifera Imports, Ronkonkoma, NY; tel. (631) 467-5907

The 2004 Falerno del Massico Ariapetrina (60% Piedirosso, 40% Aglianico) is a beautiful, full-bodied red loaded with ripe fruit, chocolate, minerals, smoke and spices. The wine offers lovely richness and a long, satisfying finish. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2012. I was delighted with the two wines I tasted from Masseria Felicia, a property located in Falerno, where wines inspired the Roman poets to sing their praises several thousand years ago. Masseria Felicia works predominantly with Aglianico and Piedirosso, two of Campania’s thoroughbred grapes. Importer: Montecastelli Selections, New York, NY; tel. (212) 414-4898