April 2016 Imported Wine: 2012 Grifalco “Gricos” Aglianico del Vulture
Fine Wine Source Wine Club
April 2016
Grifalco della Lucania: Owned by the Piccin Family, Grifalco is an excellent producer of Aglianico del Vulture. Originally wine producers in Tuscany, Fabrizio Piccin and Cecilia Naldoni decided Southern Italy, Basilicata in particular, was more promising. The Lucania vineyards consist of great soils to grow Aglianico. The soils are rich in volcanic minerals and the 18 hectare estate is divided into 4 vineyards with vines varying in age from 15 to 40 years in age. Fabrizio Piccin has done an excellent job of taming the tannins without making the wines glossy or “International.” Vulture is indisputably one of the best appellations in southern Italy. “We decided to come to the South, in a land that I had known and loved, having realized that in Tuscany wine is no longer made as we know, we do not share the direction [they] took. We have a way to see things completely different. Before I decide to give up our share of the company Salcheto, in Montepulciano, I enjoyed doing a little ‘training’ with the Aglianico of Vulture. I have not arrived here totally unprepared. I had done a bit of vinification and aging tests, to see how it differs from sangiovese, and I found that in some respects they are not so different but for others rather sharp. This land and these vineyards we already knew, I went without fail.”
About: Aglianico is the best known ‘big red’ grape in southern Italy, and there are two places where it grows particularly well, Taurasi in Campania and Monte Vulture in Basilicata. The areas are less than two hours apart, both are volcanic in geology, and both produce magnificent red wines, amongst the most age-worthy in Italy (or anywhere else, for that matter). Grifalco “Gricos” Aglianico is harvested from the 4 vineyards on the estate (100% cultivated with certified organic farming), aged in large Slavonian barrels for 12 months, and has a production of around 2500 cases annually.
Varietal: 100% Aglianico from 15year old vines
Alcohol: 13.5%
Tasting Notes: Deep garnet red in color, the nose recalls crushed red fruits, myrtle, cocoa bean with distinctive balance. A fresh start in the mouth with soft and silky texture, featuring powerful tannins giving it a wide margin for aging.
Food Pairings: Drink with beef, lamb, substantial pasta dishes, wild game dishes, and aged cheeses.
Jim Lutfy’s Thoughts: Rich Deep and Loaded with Flavors of Pork tones and Tobacco!! Best Served with Grilled Lamb Chops Or Steaks