2018 Paternoster ‘Synthesi’ Aglianico del Vulture DOC

WSI93 VIN90 The 2018 Aglianico del Vulture Synthesi is dark and brooding in the glass, mixing black currants with flowery underbrush, ash and nuances of blood orange. It washes across the palate, pure and lifted in style, with nervous acidity that further accelerates the expression, as mentholated herbal tones give way to tart wild blueberries. The 2018 tapers off with tension while taking on more of a floral profile, and it leaves the palate pleasantly refreshed. 13% alc.
Estate Notes: A vibrant ruby red in color, it displays an ethereal, fragrantly fruity bouquet of blackberries, blueberries, wild berries and pepper. On the palate it is dry and velvety, with well-integrated tannins; it revealsgreat balance and a persistent aftertaste. Variety: 100% Aglianico del Vulture. Fermentation: In stainless steel tanks for 12-15 days, with periodic pumping over and punching down of the cap. Aging: 12 months in large Slavonian oak (80% of the wine) and 14 months in barriques (20% of the wine). Alcohol: 13.0%

Aglianico grapes are typically grown in the Campania region of southern Italy, where they have been an important grape varietal since the height of the Roman empire. The Romans adored their deep garnet coloured wines, and the Aglianico grape provided a beautiful colour along with high acid levels and a strong tannin content, which made it wildly popular both then and today. Nowadays, the finest Aglianico wines are usually aged in wood to soften their strong tannins, and this process allows the grapes to reveal their complex flavours of plum and chocolate, along with plenty of pleasing dark fruit and berry aromas. Often, Aglianico grapes are blended with Bordeaux varietals to make a wonderfully balanced wine. The varietal thrives most successfully in hot and dry regions, and has a particular affinity for volcanic soils.

Volcanic wines are currently a hot topic among wine critics and enthusiasts worldwide, and Paternoster is very much of the moment: it is a volcanic wine in the literal sense of the term and stands on an extinct volcano. The Paternoster estate encompasses 50 acres of black soil of volcanic origin in different wine growing districts in the countryside of the small town Barile, including the prestigious crus Don Anselmo and Rotondo. The wines age in traditional Slavonian and French oak casks, where they develop important aromatic notes, color nuances, and complexity. The estate is part of the Tommasi Family Estates collection of wineries; the family has focused on quality production, organic practices, and eco-sustainability.

Why the name Synthesi? This is an introduction to understanding Aglianico, the exquisite volcanic terroir and how that translates in the cellar and in your glass. Taste the innate qualities of this little known noble Italian variety, starting from the primary notes of intense black fruits, pepper and a walk through a forest. Aglianico, often harvested well into November, is a grape that is extremely high in acidity with grippy tannin. We love how the Paternoster tradition uses wood-aging artfully to tame the proud Aglianico into a wine of extraordinary harmony and balance. If you don’t know the cellar-worthy Aglianico del Vulture, Synthesi is the place to start.

The vineyards that ultimately lead to the creation of Synthesi are located at between 1300 to 2000 feet above sea level. The Paternoster estate encompasses 20 hectares (50 acres) of black soil of volcanic origin in different wine-growing districts in the countryside of the small town Barile. All of the vineyards lie on a natural terrace overlooking Mount Vulture, an extinct volcano, and have black soils of volcanic origin.
The grapes are typically harvested around the middle of October, and crushed, destemmed and vinified in stainless steel tanks. 80% is typically aged in large Slavonian oak barrels and 20% in French barriques.