Galadriel Terra di Lavoro 2013

Antonio Galloni’s Vinous said, “It’s hard not be a huge fan of Galardi, whose Terre di Lavoro wine has long been one of the quality benchmarks of Campania. Though in some years I have found the blend to remind me only distantly of its 80 percent Aglianico and 20 percent Piedirosso mix, there’s no arguing with the fleshy, ripe, ageworthy aromas and flavors this very famous wine always exudes. While I was disappointed by the 2014 (a rainy, difficult year), the Terre di Lavoro 2013 is an epic wine in the making.”

This small project was hatched back in the early 1990’s by a group of cousins with green thumbs. They wanted to make a wine off their family’s minute 0.5 hectare plot of land on Roccamonfina, an extinct volcano Northwest of Taurasi.

They really felt like had hidden treasure under them in the unique soil, so they enlisted the advice of Italy’s most famous and respected winemaking consultant, Riccardo Cotarella. So enamored with what he saw, he not only agreed they had something truly special, but he even agreed to be the winemaker for a small fee – right there on the spot. And just like that, what may have seemed like a long shot had the blessing of an icon.

Over the next 30 years, the tiny estate has produced an enormous reputation despite their miniscule production. Results have been absolutely stunning. Every year, a number of expert reviewers drop big scores on the wine, with the slowly aging Aglianco produced off this tiny vineyard, amongst the most interesting wines made anywhere.