Blackberry and black plum on the nose combined with iron, toasted spices and orange rind. It’s full-bodied but with excellent freshness on the palate. Firm, fine tannins that are a little woody, but they melt nicely into the wine. Drink or hold.

Packaged in a heavy glass bottle, the 2019 Aglianico del Vulture Piano del Cerro shows moderate depth and power with ripe fruit, ashy volcanic nuances and ample use of spicy oak. The wine is approachable as is, but it could be more so if some of that extra oak padding was shed.

Packaged in a big, heavy bottle, the 2016 Aglianico del Vulture Piano del Cerro is a smoky and tarry wine showing thick concentration. It has a chewy and rich texture and lots of barbecue spice on the close. From presentation to finish, this has all the trappings of a big boy wine for those who enjoy this sort of heft and meatiness.

You gotta love the little spider depicted on the front label of this wine. It refers to the mystical cult of Tarantism practiced in this part of Southern Italy in which a tarantula bite is believed to send women (mostly) into an all-night frenzy. Tarantism is revived and widely popular today as a rave-like dance craze. The 2015 Aglianico del Vulture Piano del Cerro is packaged in a very heavy glass bottle. It pours out slowly to reveal dried blackberry, spice, Spanish cedar and campfire ash. This Aglianico is virtually impenetrable in appearance. The oak-driven tannins are sweet and spicy. This is a big wine with a capital B.

There's good concentration to this medium- to full-bodied red, which shows stylish flashes of mocha and spice without going over the top, as well as pure notes of boysenberry coulis, black licorice and smoke. Balanced, with a lingering finish of herb and sweet spice. Drink now through 2023. 5,000 cases made, 300 cases imported.??–AN??Region: Italy / South / Basilicata / Aglianico del Vulture Select to Add