The estate's 2008 Aglianico swirls around in the glass with layers of dark wild cherries, underbrush, smoke and tobacco. This unoaked, polished red makes a great introduction to Campania's most important indigenous grape. Best of all, it is a superb value. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2016. This is a very strong set of wines from Villa Matilde, with numerous choices that deliver stunning quality and value.Importer: Empson, USA, Alexandria, VA; tel. (703) 684-0900

Silky, refined tannins frame a graceful core of fruit as the 2007 Aglianico shows off its class. There is gorgeous purity to the wine, along with subtle overtones of tar, earthiness and smoke that develop in the glass. Today, the Aglianico is mostly about an expression of fruit, but it should develop quite nicely in bottle over the coming years. A final blast of raspberries and cracked black pepper punctuate the refined finish. Villa Matilde's Aglianico is made from the Rocca dei Leoni property. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2017. Villa Matilde is an excellent source for both whites and reds that deliver tons of varietal and regional character.Importer: Empson, USA, Alexandria, VA; tel. (703) 684-0900

Villa Matilde's 2006 Aglianico is made from vineyards in the Benevento district. This is a generous Aglianico loaded with ripe dark fruit, spices and sweet toasted oak. It reveals a finessed personality, with silky tannins, yet a degree of varietal expression seems missing. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2011.Villa Matilde is one of the most fascinating properties in Campania, an area with an oenological history that is among the oldest and richest in the world. The estate boasts several important terroirs in addition to a number of ancient clones of the region's indigenous varieties.Importer: Empson, USA, Alexandria, VA; tel. (703) 684-0900