Donnachiara Aglianico Campagnia IGT 2020

Winemaker Riccardo Cotarella is at the helm, an iconic winemaker Robert Parker Jr. called “one of the most influential personalities in the world of wine in the last 20 years.” The famous Italian consultant, largely considered to be the best in the country, manages more than two dozen projects a year, including his new gig at Sting’s Il Palagio Estate in Tuscany.

But his work at Donnachiara is particularly impressive and undoubtedly his most interesting project of all. For one, Cotarella has access to a brand-new, state-of-the-art winemaking facility paid for by a very wealthy family that will likely never see a return on their investment during this generation. Secondly, Cotarella gets to work with a fifth generation winegrowing family that is extremely passionate about their work on the estate. And finally, Cotarella gets to place his stamp on the most distinctive indigenous varieties in the country not tainted by international trends in style.

Today’s wine, his Campania Aglianico, is the perfect example. Sometimes referred to as “The Barolo of the South,” Aglianico was called the third of “three great Italian grapes” along with Sangiovese and Nebbiolo by Vinous’ Ian D’Agata. However, very few top notch examples are ever seen stateside. Today’s Donnachiara’s Aglianico is a rare exception.