Aglianico "Costetoste" 2015 Fontefico

Fontefico's 'Costetoste' red wine is made from pure Aglianico grapes, a rarity in the Abruzzo oenological panorama, since Aglianico is a grape variety mainly found in the central-southern regions of Campania, Basilicata and Puglia. It is a wine that is born on very steep terrain, with extreme agronomic conditions that are reflected in an equally extreme wine, capable of expressing the identity of the territory with authenticity and strength. "Costetoste" has a muscular structure and great body, combined with an original and decidedly aromatic bouquet, with Mediterranean balsamic notes and red fruits, as well as spicy notes. The grapes come from the Le Coste vineyard, which is characterised by an extremely steep, south-facing slope, more sheltered from the sea than the other plots. The soil is rich in skeleton, but there is also clay and silt, and the steepness and the presence of many stones make it difficult to work. The Fontefico winery is committed to organic farming, with the utmost respect for nature in the vineyard; this philosophy is also applied in the cellar, where the wine is left free to express its essence without invasive intervention. Each vintage gives 'Costetoste' its own unique personality, which is preserved and developed over time. After manual harvesting, the grapes are destemmed and crushed. The resulting must is left to ferment spontaneously with indigenous yeasts and then macerated with the skins in temperature-controlled steel vats for about 25 days. Such a powerful red needs an equally important ageing; this Aglianico is left to rest in steel vats for 10 months at the end of fermentation, after which it matures in wood for a good 20 months before being bottled and ageing in glass for a further 30 months before being released. In the glass, the red colour is deep and intense, the nose opens with a bouquet of intense and varied balsamic notes, dominated by aniseed and rosemary. It continues with the alternation of fruity aromas such as plums and sour cherries, enriched by accents of black pepper and more anise in the finish. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and mineral, with a high acidity that provides freshness and longevity, and a persistent finish with hints of cocoa beans. Its firm tannins and muscular structure make it an uncompromising red wine, ideal with game, fatty meats or very mature cheeses.