Contrada Taurasi 2016

Taurasi, Campania, Italy

Contrada Taurasi is a beautiful red wine gem of 100% Aglianico from the Taurasi appellation of Campania. Gerardo Contrada is one of nine children and he is the winemaker and manager of this estate. Organic practicing and natural, their hands-off approach gives each selection a true expression of the terroir in this area. Over 30-year-old vines grown in Castelfranci within the historic Taurasi zone, where the soils are a mix of chalk and clay. The vineyards are grown on slopes and are over 500m above sea level with a SW exposure. A long hang time for the grapes gives the wines full expression and perfect balance of sugar to acid. Hand harvest takes place into November, one of the latest harvests in Europe. Long maceration on the skins at controlled temperatures. Malo is done in barrel. 30 months of aging in combination French and Slavonian oak barrels. Minimum of 12 months in bottle in order to settle the wine.

Contrada Taurasi is a full-bodied red with silky tannins. On the nose it is classic Taurasi with tobacco and red berries. On the palate it is full, elegant with a long persistence. Plum, black cherry, strawberry jam, black pepper, leather and tobacco are some of the notes this wine expresses.

Enjoy Contrada Taurasi over the next 8-10 years. Roasted meats, game, spiced dishes, truffles and mature cheeses are classic pairings.