Musto Carmelitano, Aglianico del Vulture (Basilicata, Italy) 2012

I have become a fan of the rustic, hearty red wines from this fairly obscure appellation in the arch of the foot in the Italian boot.  Grown in the rocky, lava rich soils of the extinct Vulture volcano, they have an intensity that Aglianicos from Campania often lack.  At the same time, though, they are earthier and hence less graceful.  This is an excellent example.  Taut and tannic, it offers well-integrated dark fruit and leathery flavors.  I suspect that the tannins will never really soften, so it is not a wine for folks who prefer their reds to be soft and supple.  But for wine lovers who want real guts in what they drink, this is delicious stuff.