Awards/Ratings

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 95+ (Monica Larner); Vinous 94; listings also note high scores from Doctor Wine and Wine Spectator for this cuvée/vintage

Tasting Note

Deep ruby with violet rim. Intensely layered black cherry, blackberry, plum, dried violet, clove, cedar and campfire ash; powerful, refined tannins and brisk acidity lead to a long, savory finish with cocoa and sage notes.

Food Pairing

Western: roasted lamb, braised beef, venison, aged Pecorino or Parmigiano, rich tomato ragù pasta. Asian: Korean BBQ (galbi), char siu, Szechuan beef, miso-glazed fish, Peking duck.

Production Method

Hand-harvested Aglianico; careful pre- and post-destemming; ferment 20–25 days at 28–30°C; aged ~24 months in new oak barrels, followed by bottle aging.

Vineyard Info

Quintodecimo, founded by Professor Luigi Moio in 2001, farms 25 ha near Mirabella Eclano. Vigna Quintodecimo is a 2-hectare cru (planted 2001) at 420 m on clay-limestone soils, 5,000 vines/ha, low yields.