Michelle Perillo has been tending his old vine (60-70 years) Aglianico since 1999 in the high altitude Taurasi sub zone of Castelfranci in Avellino. Aglianico plays third fiddle to Nebbiolo and Sangiovese in Italy, and unrightfully so in our eyes. This wine is thrilling and introspective. The nose alone keeps you coming back to the glass for another whiff of the mysterious and earthy notes of tar, ash, forest thicket, and brooding savory fruit. Such intensity can only be found in the most special of volcanic wines and this aged beauty does not disappoint. There’s great freshness from being a high altitude wine yet the fruit shows tannic grip with notes of burnt orange peel, wet earth, black plum, balsamic, licorice leather, and chestnut. Aged 18 months in large oak barrels. A wine that proves it should be taken seriously.

Pairings: Osso bucco, dry aged ribeye, hard aged cheeses