2008 Tenuta Ponte Taurasi DOCG 750 ml

One of the World’s Greatest

The 2008 Tenuta Ponte Taurasi may well be the most soulful southern Italian red we’ve tasted this year. “Classical and refined, this is the kind of aglianico that leads people to think of the variety as the nebbiolo of the south,” gushed Wine & Spirits, which lobbed on 94 points and made this bottle their “Wine of the Month.” With sommeliers at Del Posto, Marea, Ai Fiori, and Maialino rapidly expanding their Aglianico selections, we secured the exclusive U.S. allocation of this drop-dead gorgeous Taurasi, available for a short time at $36.99 per bottle. “I believe Aglianico is one of the world’s greatest grape varieties, on a par with, for example, Riesling or Pinot Noir,” says Vinous. Ponte is one of the marquee producers of Taurasi Aglianico, a shining beacon of quality in the region. Roll the dice on this mouthwatering, perfectly cellared 2008 Tenuta — drinking beautifully right now — to understand why.

Aglianico’s penetrating, fresh acidity, along with pronounced but smooth tannins, has earned it the nickname “Barolo of the South.” Planted extensively in Campania, Aglianico finds its most noble and critically acclaimed expressions in Taurasi, on the volcanic soils to the east of Vesuvius immediately north of Avellino. Here, Aglianico’s fruit flourishes, leading to wine with tremendous primary fruit vitality, as well as the structure allowing it to shine in the cellar, becoming regal, expansive, and majestic.

Alessandro, Nicola, and Modestino di Stasio have worked tirelessly to keep Aglianico prominent in the hearts and minds of Italian wine-lovers worldwide. This Taurasi is macerated with the grape skins and sees slow, even fermentation using native yeasts before aging in top-grade French oak casks. Firing on all cylinders right now, this is so irresistibly drinkable and at the same time, poised to age beautifully for another 5-7 years.