2022 Elena Fucci - Aglianico del Vulture DOC Titolo (750ml)

Elena Fucci grew up among the vines her grandfather Generoso bought in the 1960s, in the highest part of the Contrada Solagna del Titolo at the foot of Monte Vulture, an extinct volcano in Basilicata. For decades the family sold its grapes to local producers. In 2000, when relatives considered selling the land, Elena decided to keep it, enrolled to study viticulture and enology in Pisa, and founded her own winery. She began with just 1,200 bottles. Today she is one of the leading voices of Aglianico del Vulture, and she still focuses on a single vineyard and a single grape.

Titolo is named for the contrada itself. Solagna means “sun-facing,” and the vineyard forms a gentle amphitheater about 600 meters above sea level, on dark volcanic soils. The organically farmed Aglianico vines are 50 to 70 years old, and the grapes are hand-harvested in late October. After fermentation in stainless steel, the wine ages 12 months in first- and second-use French barriques, then another year in bottle. The warm 2022 vintage gave especially ripe, concentrated fruit, balanced by the freshness that comes with the site’s altitude.

The wine is deep ruby with garnet highlights. It shows black cherry, currant, and black raspberry, along with rose petals, violets, rosemary, tobacco, and a touch of cinnamon. Hints of smoke, cedar, and iron add depth. The palate is warm and broad, with a mineral core, firm, fine-grained tannins, and a long finish. It is approachable now but will reward cellaring. Pair it with braised lamb, wild boar ragù, or aged pecorino.