2017 Elena Fucci Aglianico del Vulture Superiore Titolo Riserva

It’s hard to pull away from the 2017 Aglianico del Vulture Superiore Riserva Titolo, as it comes in waves with balsam herbs, menthol and cloves up front, giving way to plum skins, dried cherries and dusty rose. This rushes the palate with full-bodied weight and velvety textures, contrasted by masses of tart red and black berries, minerals and exotic spice. There’s so much density and complexity within which only time will fully reveal, yet still there’s so much to take in already today. The Riserva finishes with tremendous length, potent and structured, with cheek-puckering tannins and licorice-tinged black currants that mingle throughout. This is a total show-stopper that transcends the vintage. The Riserva is produced from some of Fucci’s oldest vines and goes through malolactic fermentation in 200-liter barriques (50% new) for a year; after, this is followed by another two years in a single 500-liter tonneaux. There are only around 400 magnums produced.