SThe 2024 edition of Campania Stories concluded last May, which saw Il Sannio, to be precise at Tenuta del Gheppio in the municipality of Dugenta (BN), as the host location for the event. As usual, on the occasion of the opening of the event, the location chosen for the next edition was announced, which will see the Vesuvius area as the protagonist of the event; a place full of charm and history, with its crater and the many archaeological sites that distinguish it.
Before getting into the heart of the wine tastings, the importance of field visits must certainly be underlined, rewarding in a particular way the collective ones, initiatives that manage to give a greater overall vision and comparison not only to the press, but in my opinion also to the producers themselves, who should take advantage of these shared moments also to better understand the direction in which they want to go.
As already highlighted in the article on the white wines tasted, the 2023 harvest left its mark with many difficulties linked in particular to the red grape varieties, which were significantly affected by the climatic situation.
In any case, despite the difficulties and even if for several years Campania viticulture has stood out for its white wines – on which qualitative growth is undoubtedly now a certainty – during the tastings dedicated to red wines, we were pleased to note the growth of some denominations and also a clear improvement on others.
An overall positive picture on average, to the detriment of the white berry, where, especially in the areas of excellence, such as Irpinia, several out of the ordinary notes were found.
Around 148 samples were tasted, which also included sparkling wines and rosés, with diversified vintages, from the aforementioned 2023, up to samples that in specific situations touched vintages such as 2016 or 2013.
The hard rock remains in particular the Aglianico grape variety, which still cannot find its expressive identity, either because of interpretative methods that tend to weigh it down, or certainly because it is not an easy variety to manage, even if in this edition of Campania stories, especially the Taurasi in the 2020 and 2019 vintages have demonstrated character and a beautiful expressiveness. The Taurasi fields are less exciting, with due exceptions.
Similarly, the lightness and elegance of varieties such as Piedirosso have demonstrated that they have found their right direction, which sees them increasingly centered and legible.
Below are the tastings that convinced us the most:
Fosca Tortorelli and Monica Coluccia tasting
Campania Piedirosso Igp Volcanic Sand – Agnanum
Expressive nose, with predominant fruit notes, from black cherry to blackcurrant, combined with floral hints that give it momentum. Tasty and graceful in the mouth.
Campi Flegrei Piedirosso Dop – 2023 Agnanum
We find a fruit with darker shades, such as blackberry, combined with notes of graphite. Of medium length in the sip, pleasant and discreet overall.
Campi Flegrei Piedirosso Dop Colle Rotondella 2023 Astroni
A redfoot that plays on expressive elegance, with a floral imprint and a fruity flavor that is not at all intrusive. Deep and at the same time agile, with good taste tension; worth mentioning among the best tastings of this varietal.
Campi Flegrei Piedirosso Dop Settevulcani 2023 Martusciello Salvatore
Here too we find a good expressive precision both on the nose and on the sip, which turns out to be tasty, fresh and clean.
Campi Flegrei Piedirosso Dop Terrazze Romane 2020 Cantine Del Mare
Thin and delicate, with fruity hints of cherry and floral notes of violet; momentum, elegance and length on the palate, a very enjoyable wine.
Campi Flegrei Piedirosso Dop 2020 Contrada Salandra
A more spontaneous and discreetly complex profile, with spicy and citrus hints of blood orange in the background. Fresh on the sip and medium-bodied.
Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio Dop Munazei Red Organic 2023 Casa Setaro
Enjoyable with a well-developed and precise tannin, pleasant and dynamic.
Pompeian Red Igp Agathos 2022 Bosco De’ Medici
The nose is characterised by floral notes and stone fruit, while the sip plays on depth, with well-developed tannins.
Vesuvio Rosso Dop Vesuvio 2022 Cantine Olivella
Delicate and floral on the nose, well balanced on the palate between freshness and flavour which characterise the long persistence.
Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio Rosso Superiore Dop Vigna Lapillo Bio 2020 Sorrentino Vini
Deep nose, with dark notes of fruit and spices that also return on the palate. Powerful and warm.
Dop Costa d’Amalfi Rosso Riserva Furore 2020 Cuomo Marisa
Dark fruit and dynamic sip, good drinkability, pleasant and well managed.
Amalfi Coast Ravello Red Reserve Dop Selva delle Monache 2019 Sammarco Ettore
Good and pleasant fruity sensations, juicy, with hints of spices. Full and structured, definitely worth waiting for.
Terre del Volturno Casavecchia Igp 2022 Vigne Chigi
Pleasant and discreet on the nose, with tannin present but well managed on the palate.
Terre del Volturno Casavecchia Igp I Calaia 2021 Masseria Piccirillo
Fullness in the fruit and good persistence, pleasant and well defined in the sip.
Falerno del Massico Rosso Dop Colle Castrese 2019 Villa Matilde Avallone
Light and slender, a pleasant wine, smooth and delicate on the palate.
Falerno del Massico Rosso Dop Teseo 2019 Tenute Bianchino
Subtle and pleasantly floral on the nose, precise and delicate on the palate.
Falerno del Massico Rosso Dop 2017 Torelle
Pleasant hints of black cherry and dark fruits, with a raspberry chocolate finish. Discreet in drinking.
Paestum Aglianico Igp Eighteen 2022 Zoe’s Tempa
Juicy, enveloping and spicy, with notes of myrtle, raspberry, pepper and balsamic hints, with present but delicate tannins.
Campania Aglianico Igp Core Red 2021 Montevetrano
It releases aromas of violets, blackberries and spices on the finish. Elegant, warm and broad on the palate.
Taurasi Dop Taurasi 2020 Donnachiara
Light and subtle, with pleasant floral and chocolate notes in the aftertaste.
Taurasi Dop Vigna Carrani 2020 Tenuta Madre
Juicy, fresh, light and enjoyable.
Taurasi Dop Taurasi 2020 Scuotto Estate
Decisive in the expressiveness of the fruit that is well delineated. Caressing on the palate with well-managed tannins.
Taurasi Dop Taurasi 2020 Feudi Di San Gregorio
Fruity on the nose with light spiciness, pleasant on the palate with well-developed tannins.
Taurasi Dop Cevotimempo 2019 Torricino
Pleasant in its taste-olfactory texture, with good acidity and a slender sip.
Taurasi Dop Taurasi 2019 Villa Raiano
Pleasant to sip and pleasant to the nose. It expresses notes of black pepper, nutmeg and dark fruit. Incisive, graceful sip with a long finish.
Taurasi Dop Taurasi 2019 De Gregorio Estate
Juicy and elegant, dry and precise in the sip. Pleasantly spicy on the finish.
Taurasi Dop Four Cerri 2019 Masseria Della Porta
The fruit integrated with the spice is good, an enjoyable and dynamic wine.
Taurasi Dop Organic Coasts 2018 Taurasi Districts
It opens with a good intensity olfactory profile, with floral notes followed by hints of dark pulp fruit and a delicate nuance of medicinal herbs in the finish. The sip is pleasant, with a tannic texture present.
Taurasi Dop Pietrafusa 2018 Villa Matilde Avallone
Pleasant freshness, a slender and flowing wine, accompanied by delicate floral nuances.
Taurasi Riserva Dop The Knight’s Lodge 2016 Tenuta Cavalier Pepe
Fruity and spicy character, endowed with grace and elegance; subtle, well managed and pleasant to drink.
Taurasi Reserve Dop Taurasi 2013 Tenuta Del Meriggio
Pleasant and elegant in the sip which is smooth and very drinkable.
Taurasi Dop Taurasi 2013 Perillo
Beautiful complexity and great freshness, a wine of great length and personality with extremely pleasant light spicy notes.
Fosca Tortorelli
