Re di More Irpinia Aglianico DOC

The Mastroberardino family, leaders in Italian viticulture, are largely responsible for the revival and elevation of Irpinian and Campanian winemaking post WWII. Their efforts ignited a resurgence in quality red and white wine production in all of Southern Italy. Working primarily with Campania’s ancient, native varieties, Fiano, Greco, and Aglianico, Mastroberardino has resuscitated would-be extinct grapes into world-class varieties. Aged for one year, this is a youthful expression of Aglianico. The name Re di More, meaning ‘King of Blackberries,” refers to the profile of this grape when vinified into a young wine. Two biotypes of Aglianico are selected for this bottling, grown on the Mirabella Eclano estate vineyard, an ungrafted, 100-year-old property.

The Mirabella Eclano estate is the main estate owned by the Mastroberardino family, in the heart of the Taurasi DOCG area. The epicenter of Aglianico production, research, and experimentation, this estate is spread over several hills with different exposures and is dedicated to the production of red grapes on slopes with soils containing a greater presence of organic and volcanic matter, as well as white grapes grown in soils containing more limestone and clay. Vineyards that produce are south-west facing. Deep and sandy loam soil include traces of limestone, clay, and some volcanic matter, and is well draining. The vineyard sits at 400 m a.s.l and has an average vine age of 10 years. The vines are Espalier-trained and Cordon spur-pruned and planted at a density of about 5,000 vines/ha (2,000 vines/acre). Yields average 5,000 kg/ha (or 4,460 lbs/acre) and 1 kg/vine (or 2.20 lbs/vine).

Manual harvest takes place at the end of October. Fermentation in stainless steel is followed by a long maceration period at controlled temperature in stainless steel tanks. Aged for 12 months in barriques, followed by an additional six months in bottle.

Deep ruby red. A complex bouquet offers aromas of red fruits, particularly strawberry and raspberry, and spices such as vanilla, tobacco, cocoa, and coffee. This is a warm, enveloping wine with great structure and notable softness.