Wines Aglianico del Taburno Col Orcia - 2018

Viniou Reviews

Aglianico del Taburno DOCG 2018 from Col Orcia is an expressive red wine showcasing the nobility of Aglianico, one of Italy’s grandest grape varieties, often referred to as the “Barolo of the South.” The 2018 vintage benefited from a growing season marked by balanced rainfall and moderate temperatures, ensuring a slow, even ripening of the grapes. Aglianico is renowned for its thick-skinned berries, yielding wines with deep colour, intense tannins, and remarkable ageing potential. Typically, vinification combines traditional maceration on the skins to extract structure and complexity, followed by maturation, often in large oak barrels, which polishes its formidable character without overpowering the fruit.

Campania’s Taburno area, located near Benevento, offers a unique terroir at the foot of the Taburno massif. The vineyards enjoy a continental climate drawn from altitude, with cool nights allowing for a slow, steady maturation, while calcareous-clay soils lend minerality and freshness to the wine. Viticulture here traces its roots to ancient Greeks and Romans, and the region is famed for producing some of southern Italy’s most ageworthy and complex reds. The local tradition values both the expressiveness of the grape and the patience required to let Aglianico show its best with time.

Aglianico del Taburno’s depth and structure make it a superb match for hearty Campanian cuisine. Try pairing it with brasato al Taurasi (braised beef with herbs and red wine), agnello alla scottadito (grilled lamb cutlets), or long-matured cheeses such as pecorino stagionato. Its firm tannins and bright acidity also make it a natural companion for classic pasta dishes like ragù napoletano, deeply flavoured with tomato and slow-cooked meats.

For optimal enjoyment, decant the wine for at least an hour before serving to soften its youthful tannins and allow its aromatic complexity to unfold. Pour at a temperature of 16-18°C to reveal its vibrant fruit and refined structure. This wine will also reward further cellaring, developing additional nuances over the next decade.