Luigi Tecce, 'Puro Sangue', Taurasi Riserva, Italy, 2016 "Aglianico"

Overview of the Wine
A visit to Luigi Tecce can get you emotional. Luigi himself is a ball of them, and his Aglianico from Taurasi elicits them. His grandfather’s masseria (farmhouse) and vineyards are located in the Taurasi subzone known as Sud-Alta Valle (South-High Valley). It’s one of Taurasi’s high-altitude growing areas, having a soil that’s layered with sand, limestone and Vesuvius’ pumice; it’s also the dwelling of Luigi’s 80+ year old vine-trees. There’s no enologist and no agronomist, Luigi works in relative solitude. Maybe that’s why there’s such an affinity between him and the wines: exuberant and guarded, archaic and immediate, literary and literal; there’s something theatrical in their pleasure. The wines come from the tradition and grandeur of Mastroberardino’s Taurasi bottlings, but I feel Luigi’s one of a very limited group of Taurasi producers that are eclipsing the old master.

Fermentation takes place in large chestnut tini and the wines age in large oak vessels (botti grande), that fully highlight the qualities of the unique volcanic terroir. 

Puro Sangue is Tecce’s Taurasi Riserva bottling of pure radiating medieval pleasure; the chalice of wine as the blood of Christ. There’s nothing archaic here like in the Poliphemo bottling, but the wine is just as serious, with length tapers endlessly, offering generous fruit and spice, but also maintaining tension (we are still in the high-altitude Taurasi growing area of Paternopoli). The tannins are more honed here than in Poliphemo, making this wine seems somewhat more ceremonial tone.

Luigi practices organic farming and no sulphur are added to his wines.

Grape / Blend
Aglianico

Origin
Taurasi, Italy

Tasting Notes
Deep plummy purple in the glass the Luigi Tecce Taurasi Riserva Puro Sangue blooms with a nose of ripe beach plums, violets and earthy thyme. On the palate there is a dynamic structure of grippy tannins and a lively acidity that gives this versatile wine a freshness.

Product size: 750ml