2008 Gudarra Aglianico del Vulture Riserva

Here is a little masterpiece from my favorite underdog Italian region, Basilicata. The 2008 Aglianico del Vulture Riserva Gudarrà is an ambitious achievement and a wine that delivers long lasting satisfaction. The bouquet shows a high level of harmony and inner elegance with dark fruit and spice backed by mineral, ash and tobacco. Those descriptors don't even do justice to the depth of this wine. There are spicy oak influences, but they are cleanly wrapped within the fleshiness of the wine. The persistence is long and silky. The wine ages in botte grande for two years. Some 8,000 bottle are made.