VIGNETI DEL VULTURE Aglianico Pipoli 2008 Valentino Sciotti (of Vesevo, Gran Sasso and other Farnese estates) took over this small co-operative in Basilicata in Acerenza in the heart of the Aglianico del Vulture zone in 2008. Consultant winemaker, Alberto Antonini was brought in to work with the talented young Gran Sasso and Vesevo winemaker, Marco Flacco, and together they managed to capture the character of the grapes and the zone superbly in the bottle. The vineyards belonging to this estate are superb; low-trained and planted on the volcanic soils of the slopes of Mount Vulture at altitudes of up to 800m above sea level. The area is one of Italy‘s most remote and poorest, isolated and uncontaminated and according to consultant winemaker Alberto Antonini, is like stepping back in time a few centuries. 2009 was a challenging vintage with uncharacteristically heavy rainfall from spring through to late summer, making care in the vineyards even more essential than usual. This area does not normally suffer from problems due to rot or mould but the torrential and unseasonable rainfall made viticulture more difficult than usual and Alberto advised using only 20% of the production here. The altitude of the vineyards meant that low nightime temperatures encouraged the development of the aromatic compounds in the grapes. A warm, sunny autumn brought the reduced crops to full ripeness and despite everything, the grapes were picked in excellent conditions. On arrival at the winery the grapes were destemmed and gently crushed then the must fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks at temperatures up to 30-32°C. Frequent, gentle pumping over took place during fermentation and maceration which lasted approximately two weeks. Judicious oak influence softened the naturally high tannins after which the wine remained in tank until bottling. The Aglianico del Vulture has good colour and a ripe, plummy perfume. The tannins are ripe and supple on the palate, giving a rounded yet minerally wine of real interest. Vintage 2008 Grape varieties 100% Aglianico Region Acerenza Winemaker Marco Flacco Find this wine at www.winestore.co.uk Price: £60.60 (Including VAT at 20%)