2009 Perillo Taurasi Michele Perillo Riserva (750ml)

Michele Perillo and family continue a tradition of winemaking that dates back to 1887. The family estate is up in the tiny village of Castelfranci, an hour’s drive from Naples among the Irpinian hills 500 metres above the Calore river. Castelfranci has 65 ha of Aglianico (for Taurasi) vineyards, of which the Perillo family have 3ha. They still tend to old clone vines trellised in the traditional ‘raggiera’, tree-like way that produce high quality fruit perfect for long ageing wines.

The fruit for the Taurasi Riserva comes from the best maturing plots, is aged for 20 months in barriques and then 6 years in bottle prior to release.

"A 12-year-old, now medium-bodied aglianico that’s ready to drink now. Having said that, the fruit is still bright and intense with complimentary notes of walnut shell, tobacco, iron and orange rind. The tannins are still pitching in and flexing a bit of muscle. The finish is as long as your patience. This shows what aglianico from a good vintage is capable of. What verve! Hold at your leisure or enjoy now." 97 points - James Suckling (24 Aug, 2021)