Wine of the Week 3/2/2018
The Story
My first wine of the week comes from Napa Valley. I was lucky enough to be selected as a fellow to the 2018 Symposium for Professional Wine Writers hosted by the Napa Valley Vintners Association. Throughout the symposium wines from Napa Valley Vintners members are poured. While I could go on about a number of spectacular, blockbuster cabernets this week's wine of the week resonated with me.
The Wine
2014 Benessere Aglianico
Aglianico is a dark skinned grape common to the southern Italian region of Campania. The variety produces wines showing firm tannins and high acidity. While there are a lot of Italian varieties grown in Napa, this is the only Aglianico available.
Grown in the Collins Holystone Vineyard in St. Helena, Benessere buys the entire production to make this intriguing wine.
Tasting Notes
Loads of dark, expressive fruit with a good bit of earthiness finishing off with a hint of floral notes. Aglianico from Italy can often be a little austere. Fruit from Napa balance that out Bright acidity and firm tannins are balanced by ripe Napa fruit. Tons of finesse. A great food wine. With only 136 cases made, you'll likely need to order this direct from the winery
Suggested retail price: $56
Final Thoughts:
At $56 a bottle this isn't an inexpensive wine. But what I find interesting about it is, that had it not been for the way in which prohibition reshaped the wine industry in California, this wine might be a typical wine from Napa today. It's tasty and fun.
Enjoy
