2017 Paternoster - Aglianico del Vulture DOC Don Anselmo (750ml)

Cultivated on twenty hectares of dark volcanic soil surrounding the extinct Mount Vulture, the 2017 Paternoster Don Anselmo channels ancient Aglianico vines grown in mineral-rich dirt into a thoroughly structured southern Italian red. Sourced exclusively from small, old-vine parcels near Barile at roughly 600 meters elevation, the grapes develop naturally restricted yields that concentrate phenolic compounds without inflating alcohol levels. Following a late October hand harvest, the must ferments and extends into thick skin contact before maturing in an exact fifty-fifty split between large neutral Slavonian casks and smaller French barriques. This vessel combination protects primary fruit characters while weaving in gentle toast and smoke, followed by a twelve-month bottle rest that stabilizes the aggressive tannic edge prior to distribution.

The resulting 2017 pours a deep, nearly opaque ruby and reveals its complexity through a layered aromatic sequence of stewed raspberries, dried fig, cured leather, and piney herbs. On the palate, the wine maintains a firm, dry framework supported by fine-grained tannins and a pronounced mineral streak that carries through an extended, savory finish. Its dense texture and earthy backbone anchor well against protein-rich preparations and hard, aged dairy.

• Tasting Profile: Dry, full-bodied, and tightly wound with notes of red berry compote, tobacco leaf, winter savory, and a persistent slate-like aftertaste
• Vineyard Specifications: 100% Aglianico from old vines cultivated in ash-heavy, lava-rock soils at 600 meters altitude
• Aging Methodology: Dual-maturation in large Slavonian oak and French barriques with a mandatory twelve-month bottle pause before release
• Dining Recommendations: Herb-crusted roasted lamb racks, slow-braised wild boar ragu, grilled portobello steaks, or sharp aged pecorino crostini