Taurasi DOCG - Cantine Lonardo

Grape variety: Aglianico 100%
Production area: Taurasi (AV)
Soil type: Of varying composition depending on the area: in some cases ash-rich, loose with moderately coarse grain, in others clayey-calcareous.
Rootstock: Virginia creeper
Vineyard exposure: South
Altitude of the vineyards: 400-300 m above sea level.
Training system: Spurred cordon
Planting density: 3000 vines/ha
Grape yield: 50 quintals/ha
Wine yield: 55-60%/Ql
Production: 4000

Description

The grapes come from 10-30 year old espalier vines. They have medium-sized bunches and spherical berries of very intense color, pulp rich in minerals and sugars (23-25%), thin skins with a high concentration of anthocyanins and tannins.

Winemaking

The grapes, harvested manually in the last days of October, are immediately transported to the cellar in 18 kg boxes and destemmed. The fermentation, grafted with native yeasts selected in the vineyard, takes place at a constant temperature of about 27°- 28° for 15 days. Maceration on the skins lasts from 15 to 60 days depending on the tank. Once the racking has taken place, the wine is stored in 5 hl and 15 hl oak barrels, none of which are first passage. The malolactic fermentation, which starts spontaneously, lasts about 13 days. The refinement lasts 30 months, of which at least 24 in wood. The wine is assembled in steel and bottled without the aid of filtration in July.

Tasting

Wine with an intense ruby ​​red color, it appears quite consistent. On the nose it is rich and persistent with hints of crunchy red fruit, floral elements, hints of graphite, with a light spiciness. On the palate it appears warm, with soft tannins and well blended into the body of the wine, without excessive drying, the freshness gives the wine vivacity and guarantees its longevity. It recalls aromatic and balsamic herbs in the aftertaste.

Pairings

It is certainly a wine for rich and unctuous foods based on meat, game, and winter dishes typical of mountain cuisine, it also pairs well with mature cheeses.