2006 Tenuta Ponte Taurasi DOCG 750 ml

In Vesuvius’s Shadow, Italy’s Historic Grape Flourishes

The Aglianico grape is as old as human history itself, with vines spidering deep through the ages past the Roman empire, all the way back to ancient Greece. In the last decade, critics have acknowledged that it is not only among the oldest but the greatest of Italian grapes, rightfully deserving a place alongside Nebbiolo and Sangiovese. Its occasional nickname — “the Barolo of the South” — doesn’t even do justice to such a proud grape.

Planted extensively in Campania, Aglianico finds its most noble expressions in Taurasi, on the volcanic soils to the east of Vesuvius immediately north of Avellino. Here, Aglianico’s fruit flourishes, leading to wine ready to drink right away. But Taurasi Aglianico also shines in the cellar, becoming regal, expansive, and majestic.

Antonio Galloni’s Vinous recently captured its appeal in a roundup headlined, “The Wines of Campania: Getting Better and Better”: “Campania’s most important red variety is Aglianico, which reaches its apogee of expression in Taurasi. It is my opinion that, in terms of its ability to make seriously good wines, Aglianico is at a quality level similar or close to that of Nebbiolo and Sangiovese. … One taste of a great Aglianico, with its penetrating flinty notes of red and black cherry and hints of camphor, minerals, licorice and violet, will immediately awaken the senses to the variety’s inherent greatness... Although it performs well on most types of soil, Aglianico does remarkably well in volcanic areas, of which there is no shortage in Campania. Wines such as Aglianico del Taburno (or Taburno Aglianico) and Aglianico di Taurasi (or Taurasi) are potentially some of the country’s greatest reds; both the Taburno and Taurasi areas are extinct volcanos. The fact that Aglianico wines can also age remarkably well only adds to their mystique.”

Aglianico’s penetrating, fresh acidity, along with pronounced but smooth tannins, reveal the structural similarities to its more-heralded counterparts to the north. Sommeliers from top NYC restaurants agree, as Del Posto, Marea, Ai Fiori, and Maialino all feature substantial Aglianico selections.

Tenuta Ponte is one of the marquee producers of Taurasi and a shining beacon of quality in the region. Alessandro, Nicola, and Modestino di Stasio have worked tirelessly to keep Aglianico prominent in the hearts and minds of Italian wine-lovers worldwide. This Taurasi is fermented and macerated in stainless steel tanks for about three weeks, then spends 18 months in top-grade French oak barriques before aging nine months in bottle before release.

The 2006 Tenuta Ponte Taurasi is hitting on all cylinders at this moment. Tarry, black-fruit aromas combine with earthy black truffle, autumn leaves, and forest floor. The palate is juicy with black fruits and full of saline, mineral flavors. The finish is long and chewy and begs for a seared piece of meat. Drink now to 2027.    

Galloni called Southern Italy’s 2006 vintage “very fine” in Campania, and Tenuta Ponte once again excelled. Wine & Spirits hailed its 100% Aglianico “Taurasi” as “a wine of stature and grace,” and “set for years of development ahead,” before calling it a “Best Buy” and lobbing on 95 points.

At just $36.99/bottle, WineAccess members can enjoy a fully mature, mouth-watering “Barolo of the South”! You won’t want to limit yourself with a wine so drinkable now and so perfectly poised to age for another decade.