I Favati Cretarossa Irpinia Campi Taurasini 2017

The Favati family has made wine in Cesinali, in the hills of Irpinia east of Naples, since the early 1900s, though the modern cellar dates to 1998 and the first commercial release, a Fiano di Avellino, to 2000. All sixteen hectares are planted to Irpinia's indigenous varieties, and nothing leaves before the family judges it ready to drink. Cretarossa is a single-parcel Aglianico from the Campi Taurasini zone, grown at 450 to 500 meters on clay-limestone marl threaded with volcanic material and picked by hand in early November. It spends a year in stainless steel, more than two in French oak, and around five in bottle before release. Black pepper, black cherry, and anise frame concentrated fruit, fresh acidity, and tannins polished soft by all that patience. Aglianico with Taurasi bones, sold only when it is ready.