Elena Fucci "Sceg" Aglianico del Vulture 2022

"Elena Fucci's family had been on the path to sell most of the prime vineyards that her grandfather, Generoso, had wisely purchased in the 1960s. Much to their delight, she devoted herself to study winemaking in order to make her own wines from this gift her grandfather had given. Making use of those 50 to 70-year-old vines on high hills of volcanic soils, her "SCEG" Aglianico is a perfect introduction to the revitalization taking place at the base of the extinct Vulture volcano in Basilicata: it displays some of the wild, savory character the variety tends toward, but with a seductive, modern purity in the fruit expression. There's a tension between savory/earthy (incense/pepper, herbs, slightly gamey & ashy) and fruity (dark red berries & plum); and a textural tension between the grippy, coarse-grained tannins and juicy fleshiness of fruit, both of which linger in the umami-rich finish. Give this one time to open up in the glass or even put it away for a couple years! Pair with savory, meaty dishes (like sausages), hearty vegetable dishes like earthy lentils, and moderately aged sheep cheeses like Pecorino."