Although labelled as Aglianico there is a dolop (technical term!) of Merlot in there too just to soften it slightly. It's deep in colour (ruby red) with big aromas of blackberry, red currants and ripe cherries with plenty of spice notes too. Soft and well structured on the palate with oodles of fruit (cherries again) and soft, velvety tannis. Ideal with all red meats but really at home with game.
- Country: Italy
- Region: Campania
- Subregion: Avellino
- Vintage: 2013
- Colour: Red
- Grape Variety: Aglianico mainly with a touch of Merlot
- ABV: 13.5%
- Bottle Size: 75cl
- Closure: Natural Cork
- Style: Deep and flavoursome
- Organic: No
- Drink With: Red meats and game. well flavoured pasta dishes
The ancient Greeks planted the Aglianico vine - then called Vitis Hellenica - on the soil of Irpinia. This variety matures late and the higher altitudes of Irpinia's vineyards allows for warm days and cool nights, thus further extending the growing season. The vineyards are located on the hills bordering the Calore river giving an ideal situation for the maturation of the grapes.
The grapes were hand picked towards the end of October and into November and a strict selection was done before the grapes put into vats for a cold maceration, thus extracting greater colour and fragrance. Maturation took place both in stainless steel and oak casks (50/50) and after bottling the wine rests for a minimum of 3 months before sales begin.
To really enjoy this wine at its best, don't drink it too warm. 16 to 18 degrees C is best and if you can decant it, the rewards will be worth the work.
About the grower
The Pepe family is an historic wine family from Irpinia in Campania, around 40 kilometers from Naples. With 55 hecatres of vines and 11 hectares of olive trees, they represent the true face of Campanian agriculture.
Today, twenty one DOC wines are produced in Campania and of the four DOCG wines, three come from Irpinia, the birthplace of tenuta Cavalier Pepe.
Following his intuition and his love of the area, the entrepreneur Angelo Pepe worked tirelessly on his land to develop what is now a wine cellar, restaurant and bed and breakfast.
His merit and far-sightedness were appreciated so much that in 1998 his work was recognised by the President of the Republic by making him a Cavaliere della Republica per meriti sul lavoro - a Knight of the Republic of Italy. Today the estate is managed by his eldest daughter, Milena who studied viticulture in France and marketing in Belgium and who manages the estate with care and skill making it one of the foremost producers in this highly sought-after area.
Hard work and belief is the motto of the Pepe family and this follows through into the work on the estate. The high quality of the wines produced is mirrored by their dedication to high quality food (Slow Food) in their restaurant and should any of our clients want further information on eating or staying there, please don't hesitate to get in contact. You won't be disappointed and you'll eat and drink to the highest levels.