This wine, made from 80% Montepulciano and 20% Aglianico, is not for the faint of heart. The nose is a rich combination of cloves, blackberry, orange peel, and a bit of smoked bacon. However, much of the fruit and spice on the palate disappear, leaving a meaty, tannic red whose finish is smoky and fairly short. After a few minutes in the glass, deep plum and licorice flavors develop, but that’s the extent of the fruit. This is not a quaffing wine; the appropriate food does wonders: Game, rich or smoked meats, pork, and bacon would work well: an intellectual, somewhat rustic wine, but one that rewards the effort it demands.
