2016 Guastaferro - Taurasi DOCG Primum (750ml)

Guastaferro is a small family estate located in Piano d'Angelo, just outside the town of Taurasi in Campania, at 350 meters above sea level. The Guastaferro family spent generations growing Aglianico for well-known Taurasi producers such as Mastroberardino and Feudi di San Gregorio before Raffaele Guastaferro took over his father's estate in 2013 and began bottling wine under the family's own name. Inspired in part by a meeting with the respected Campanian winemaker Antoine Gaeta, Raffaele set out to establish Guastaferro among Italy's finest Taurasi producers, working with roughly seven hectares of volcanic vineyards planted mostly with old Aglianico vines.

Primum is made entirely from Aglianico grown in volcanic ash soils, largely from pre-phylloxera vines or those grafted from pre-phylloxera rootstock, a rarity that gives the wine unusual depth and longevity. The grapes ferment without temperature control in stainless steel tanks with at least fifteen days of maceration, then age for a minimum of twelve months in large used barrels, followed by another eight months resting in bottle before release.

The finished wine shows a deep ruby color and a complex, layered nose of dark cherry, violet, mushroom, and tobacco, backed by notes of licorice and baking spice. On the palate it is full-bodied and richly concentrated, with fine tannins and bright acidity carrying through a long finish. It pairs beautifully with braised or roasted red meats, game, and aged cheeses.