If you're unfamiliar with this Italian wine, you're not alone, as I've never heard of it either, but what the heck, I'll try anything once. The wine hails from the Basilicata region of Italy, which if you think of the "boot" it's right between the heel and the toe, so it has the interesting position of touching two seas, the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west and the Ionian Sea (Gulf of Taranto) to the southeast. Being so far south from the more famous Italian wine regions, the Basilicata has some very interesting history. The region is only known for one kind of grape, Aglianico del Vulture, which derives its name from a bastardization of the word "Hellenic" or Greek, and Mount Volture. Interestingly enough, there are no grapes native to the region, but the variety so prominent here were planted by the Greeks when they settled the area in pre-Roman times, so these grapes have been made into wine long before the native varieties to the north!
Il Lagarino di Dionisio is primarily a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which certainly shows up in the color and flavor of the wine. It is during the second fermentation that Aglianico del Vulture grapes are added to the blend, giving it a unique character compared to similar blends. The wine is a deep ruby color with a nose of soft berries, chocolate and tobacco. The taste is dry, yet has a rather complex, nuanced flavors throughout, with rising fruit flavors intermingled with a spicy earthiness. The delicate tannins create a lush mouthfeel and smooth finish. This wine is not your typical Italian red, but I think it would go with a variety of Mediterranean cuisine, though tonight I think I'll enjoy it with some penne alla vodka, as the spiciness of the wine might be the perfect compliment for a sweet creamy sauce.
Overall I would rate this wine a solid 8.0, which would have easily been higher, but for the price at $14. So look for this one on WTSO, or at your local wine merchant and try a different taste of Italian wine!
First time I've ever seen your blog but I was blown away by the subject matter, "2007 Taverna II Lagarino Di Dionisio". This vineyard and winery is owned by cousins in Nova Siri (birthplace of my grandfather). I have been there 3 times and have also tried unsuccessfully to find a distributor for this wine in the U.S. All the documentation is done but no one seems to want to add another Italian winery to their catalog.
ReplyDeleteIn Italy, this wine sells for about 10 euros, so $14 is a really good price for this wine. Shipping, even by the container adds about $4 to each bottle, so without WTSO, this wine, I'm sure, would be closer to $20. This wine and their 100% Aglianico del Vulture are my favorites.
I would really like to know how WTSO got hold of this wine when it's not distributed here. Also, very dismayed because I missed this offering.
Jim Stigliano
jim@stigliano.us