D’Angelo, Aglianico del Vulture DOC (Basilicata, Italy) 2013

 The volcanic soil of a region where the winters can be harsh and the summers extremely hot may not provide the most hospitable environment for you and me, but it certainly seems a good place for D’Angelo’s Aglianico grapes to grow.  The wines are dark ruby red and intensely flavored.  In youth the tannins can be off-putting, but give them a few years and they become more polished and refined, and with a little more time they’ll develop a velvety texture, with flavors that are rich and penetrating.