2015 Aglianico

Double Gold, Best of Class at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition!  91 points, Cellar Selection  from Wine Enthusiast Magazine!

This classic Italian variety is both bold and rustic. Although this variety is uncommon in California, it has a rich history dating back to ancient Rome. It was once known as the 'wine of Napoleon' because it was the wine of choice for himself and his army. With bright acidity and rich tannins, Aglianico has a tremendous ability to age. Dark, rich, highly structured and extremely interesting--more of an esoteric wine with fruit in the background and earth, spice, minerality and fresh herb in the foreground.

This vintage is wonderfully complex with predominately savory charactersitrics.  It is highly aromatic with anise, tarragon, and black cherry jumping out of the glass.  The palate is full of lush black cherry, ripe boysenberry, exotic spices, and just a touch of vanilla wafer.  The mouth drenching tannins and high acidity keep this wine lively and enable it to age for decades.

   Dark-colored and deeply flavorful, this imposing and full-bodied wine is well packed with blackberry, black-pepper and cranberry flavors that are dry and concentrated. While generous with fruit, the wine is also firmly structured with fine-grained tannins and will age well through at least 2024. -JIM GORDON, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, 91 points