Terre degli Svevi “Vigna Serpara” Aglianico del Vulture Superiore 2013

VM 93 pts / 3 Glasses – Gambero Rosso

VM: Crushed blackberries, tobacco, sage, thyme and hints of smoked meat waft up prominently from the 2013 Aglianico del Vulture Superiore Serpara. It’s soft in texture and almost creamy in feel, with juicy acids maintaining balance as ripe black fruits and minerals sweep effortlessly across the palate. Its firm tannins make themselves known through the finale, yet as more of an accent that frames the experience well, while hints of dark chocolate and balsamic spices slowly fade out. The single-vineyard Serpara matures in a combination of 50% new and 50% used French Allier oak casks, which Re Manfredi has done a wonderful job of integrating here.

GR : Deep ruby red, rich and complex, with notes of bitter cherry and herbs. Warm and powerful, with silky tannins and a long finish that is creamy and fruity. Ageing : 12 to 24 months in barrels of Allier. The Serpara vineyard measuring about 6 hectares, three aged over 40 years, extends at 550 m a.s.l. in the Commune of Maschito in Potenza Province. It is here that the selections for the new vines are made and it is from these vines that the Masseria cru that bears its name is produced.