Aglianico 'Magis' Antico Castello 2016

The Aglianico 'Magis' from the Antico Castello winery is a relatively accessible and flowing expression of Aglianico that does not lack the characteristic structure and complexity of this native Irpinia grape variety. The grapes for this label come from the Fontana del Bosco locality in San Mango sul Calore, in the heart of Irpinia and the Taurasi production area. Young Chiara and Francesco Romano have been running the Antico Castello estate since 2009, always supported by their parents, Franco and Fiorenza, who founded the winery in 2006.

Antico Castello 'Magis' Aglianico is a pure expression of the blackberry variety of the same name grown on clayey-calcareous soils at about 400 metres above sea level, with northern and southern exposure. Harvesting is carried out by hand in the first ten days of November, and the grapes are then mellowed in stainless steel tanks for temperature-controlled alcoholic fermentation in contact with the skins. Once the fermentation process is complete, the mass is decanted into 25 and 50 hectolitre oak barrels for the 9-month ageing that precedes bottling and the long refinement in the glass before release.

The colour of Antico Castello's Aglianico 'Magis' is an intense ruby red with purple highlights. Full and vivid is the aromatic bouquet, composed of scents of cherry, plum, cinchona and black pepper that blend with perceptions of bramble flowers. The palate is rich, intense and enveloping, with velvety tannins and a long, lingering finish. An Aglianico with good versatility in food and wine pairings, to be preferred with structured red meat and game dishes or with tasty mature cheeses.