The volcanic soils of Basilicata’s Mount Vulture make the Aglianico del Vulture appellation home to some of Italy’s most powerful and collectible red wines. D’Angelo is a name synonymous with this noble southern variety, producing wines of extraordinary expression and tremendous aging potential. Today we’re offering two of our favorite examples at a terrific price!

D’Angelo Aglianico del Vulture Valle del Noce 2003
was $54, now $40
Made from 100% Aglianico grown in the volcanic subsoil in the southern-facing foothills of Mount Vulture in Basilicata, Valle del Noce (or “Walnut Valley”) is vinified in large oak botti for up between 15 to 20 months before bottling, it is then aged in bottle until released. According to the winemaker, the wine is capable of aging for upwards of 20 years, but if opening now, he recommends decanting and aerating for a few hours before serving to allow the tannins to mellow. A complex and structured wine, with hints of volcanic minerality imparted by the distinctive terroir of the vineyard.

D’Angelo Aglianico-Merlot Serra delle Querce 2005
was $43, now $32
Inspired by the success Italian producers had enjoyed using international varieties, D’Angelo planted Merlot in his Serra delle Querce vineyard over twenty years ago. The famous Bordeaux variety, loved for its plush silkiness and earthy, ample fruit, is blended with the native Aglianico, smoothing the latter’s austere edges and proving a worthy partner. Serra delle Querce undergoes extensive aging in second-and-third-passage barriques. The wine spends 15 months in 225-liter barrels before being transferred to larger barrels where it remains for a further six months.

For more information please call 212-725-6516 or email info@vinosite.com.

Giacomo Fenocchio 2003 Barolo Villero and Castello di Verduno 2003 Barbaresco Rabajà are on sale now at Vino. These two wines, made by expert producers from grapes grown in two of the Langhe’s best vineyards, are drinking well right now.

Much has been debated about the hot 2003 vintage. We know now that the vintage wasn’t quite as poor as many experts claim. It depends of course, on who you ask. Farmers who had the benefit of old, deeply-rooted vines in healthy, sustainably-maintained vineyards found that with proper canopy management and an early harvest there was ample fruit for very good wine. With ripe tannins, moderate acidity and fairly high alcohol the wines of 2003 were always considered good bets for drinking young, but we’ve been pleasantly surprised by the intriguing floral, menthol and anise notes that have developed in both the Fenocchio Barolo Villero and Verduno Barbaresco Rabaja. In keeping with the typical characteristics of their respective styles the Fenocchio is burly and dense with a lot of meat on the mid-palate while the Verduno has a more delicate knit, with seamless integration of tannins and acid and a long, rich finish. Both wines will be marked down until they sell out. We only have a few cases left of each.

Both will be available for tasting this Saturday, May 21 at Vino from 3:00-6:00pm (if there is any left).

Giacomo Fenocchio Barolo Villero 2003
was $52, now $39

Castello di Verduno Barbaresco Rabajà 2003
was $65, now $49

For more information please call 212-725-6516 or email info@vinosite.com.