Poliphemo Taurasi

Luigi Tecce's Poliphemo Vecchie Vigne is a real bombshell, capable of summing up the concept of power and veracity. When we talk about Aglianico we are undoubtedly talking about one of the excellences of Italian wine, in what is the triad of the great grape varieties of our peninsula along with Nebbiolo and Sangiovese. The characteristics of Aglianico, however, are different and unique, and in its top expressions it gives rise to austere, powerful wines driven by a sculpted tannin that remains etched in the memory. One of the area's jewels is that of Luigi Tecce, a name known to aficionados because his bottles are some of the most exciting and expressive one can come across. Liquids that defy time, produced with maniacal care and special attention to the perfect ripeness of the grapes, a factor unfortunately not considered by some improvised winemakers. Memorable experience. Poliphemo Vecchie Vigne is made from pure Aglianico grapes, from vines more than 80 years old located on calcareous clay soil. In the vineyard, chemistry or synthetic substances are not used in any way, but only a little copper and sulfur are used. In the cellar, spontaneous alcoholic fermentation and 40-day maceration on the skins in open chestnut vats is continued. The liquid ages for 10 months in steel and 24 months in tonneaux and large barrels before being bottled without filtration or clarification. Poliphemo Vecchie Vigne literally fills the goblet with its inky, impenetrable mass. The nose, initially compact and austere, rises slowly as if it were the earth speaking, and the first suggestion is precisely that related to the soil. Slowly the liquid opens into an irresistible array of plum, bitter cocoa, underbrush and black pepper. In the mouth the wine is overwhelming, an impetuous sip where the tannin literally masters the scene and immensely lengthens the persistence of the liquid. Cyclone.