2020 Grifalco 'Grifalco' Aglianico
Normal Price: $30 on 1
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Where does a Tuscan winemaker go in search of inspiring terroir, the kind that pulls you away from one of the most established regions in the winemaking world? North to Piedmont and the crus of Barolo or Barbaresco, or more northern still, to the alpine slopes of Alto Adige? Nope. That Tuscan travels Southward down the coast, landing firmly in the volcanic black earth of Basilicata. Campania. Aglianico country.
When the Piccin family relocated from their native Tuscany to Basilicata, it was because they believed in the promise of the volcanic soils of Campania. The landscape of Basilicata is arresting, etched along the steep slopes that stretch from the Ionian Sea. Winemaking in the region dates back to the Romans, but the inhospitable terrain of these terraced vineyards made them impossible to work with increasingly mechanized production, and deeming them too difficult to maintain, the historic sites were largely abandoned. Where others saw an impediment, the Piccins saw opportunity. The soils here are uniquely composed, layers of volcanic ash, sand, and basalt soils combining to imbue in the wines an intense graphite core and biting minerality. These are hardworking vines, and in their struggle to ripen, the tannins and darkly composed fruit concentrate powerfully, producing striking wines in every way equal to Barolo and Barbaresco.
When the family named Grifalco, their flagship cuvee, after their winery itself, the reason was simple—*this* was the best expression of the terroir and chief varietal of their adopted home, a snapshot of Aglianico unadulterated. Sourced from each of their four estate vineyards and vinified entirely in stainless and cement, this bottling represents, in Lorenzo Piccin's mind, what Aglianico del Vulture is capable of: sweet black cherry, wild fennel, and spicebox aromatics, firm tannins and bright acidity throughout, built on a foundation of flinty, volcanic minerality. Platonic, pure Campania.
The wine on its merits is compelling enough, but fans of Aglianico know that the best bottles regularly retail north of $50. Here's a rare opportunity to explore top class Aglianico for half that: normally retailing for $30 a bottle, we're offering Grifalco 'Grifalco' at $24 on bottle 1, $22 for the 3-pack, and $19 for a 6-pack. That's a 20%-37% savings. And in case you're wondering.....this is a perfect turkey wine!
2020 Grifalco 'Grifalco' Aglianico
Normal Price: $30 on 1
For the Aglianico fanatics, we also scooped up both of their single vineyard bottlings - one from the iron-rich Damaschito Vineyard, rich with sweet tobacco and licorice, the other from Ginestra, where clay soils draw out violet and cinnamon-spiked plums ($45). Add a bottle of their single vineyard Aglianicos to your order and get 10% off of the bottle!