2015 Primum Riserva
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Tasting notes
A release of about 2,600 bottles, the Guastaferro 2015 Taurasi Riserva Primum takes a few extra minutes to warm and open in the glass. On initial examination, it appears a bit closed, and instead of fruit, you notice the oak spice and toast. There are dusty notes of scorched earth and baked terracotta. The wine does take on better shape and form after a few minutes of waiting to show dried berry and cassis. However, the tannins are bone dry and the wine's final effect is flat and faded. The 2015 vintage in this part of Campania was marked by a late-April freeze followed by a very hot summer, but the issue with this particular wine is that it appears to have been dried out excessively by the oak aging. There is a touch of cracked black pepper on the close. Guastaferro does make other nice wines, but they delayed the planned release of two reds from the 2017 and 2018 vintages to wait for an economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Critic scores
Average Score
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
Eric Guido, Vinous
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The 2015 Taurasi Riserva Primum is drop-dead gorgeous, while also being balanced to a tee. Here I’m finding a complex and layered bouquet, showing masses of black cherry offset by exotic, savory spice, that give way to smoky minerals, sage, rosemary, and a hint of animal musk. It floods the palate with velvety textures, before saturating red and black fruits make a dramatic entrance, encased in a complex web of acids and tannin, yet still somehow showing remarkably fresh and energy. The finish is long, displaying attractive ripe red and blue fruits, yet with a coating of grippy tannin that promises many years of development. All of this, and at 13.5%; what a stunning and perfectly balanced Taurasi. This is a beautiful expression of ancient vine Aglianico from Guastaferro.