Elena Fucci "SCEG" Aglianico del Vulture 2022
(Basilicata, Italy) - [WS 90]

About the Winery:
The Fucci family has lived on their estate in Basilicata since 1960, when Elena’s grandfather bought six hectares of vineyards at the highest part Contrada Solagna of Titolo, at the foot of Mount Vulture (an extinct volcano). Though it wasn’t until the 2000 vintage that the full potential of the domain’s 70-year-old Aglianico vines was properly explored. The family was going through the process of selling the estate when Elena made the last-minute decision to take on the property herself, with the intention of developing the vineyard and devoting herself to the land that she grew up loving so dearly. Simply walking through the vineyard rows at Elena Fucci is a fascinating history lesson; the terrain is volcanic, the soil is mineral, dark in color, and pozzolanic, which clearly catalogues in its layers the history and life of the Vulture volcano, visible just a few hundred meters away. This fascinating terroir translates to a fascinating wine in the glass.

About this Wine:

TASTING NOTES Fresh and well-balanced, this is a medium to fullbodied red with soft tannins. Intense smokey notes pair with minerality, ripe black cherry, dried thyme, fig cake, hints of ground cumin, and white pepper. On the palate the wine is round and finely balanced, with a long, lingering finish that echoes the spice and mineral elements.

CULTIVATION Vines are farmed organically and grown on guyot using lower yields which positively impacts grape quality. The soil is called pozzolana, a mix of ashes, lapilli, and clay.

VINIFICATION Grapes are harvested manually, collected in small baskets, and taken directly to the cellar for selection. Whole berries are macerated for 14 days and fermented in steel tanks.

AGING The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation and ages in 500lt new tonneaux for 12 months, followed by 6 months of bottle ageing before release.

Ratings & Reviews

90 Points - Wine Spectator:
"There's a sense of restraint to this fresh red, with notes of black raspberry, plum skin, singed orange peel and dried herbs tightly meshed with dense, fine tannins. Licorice, mineral and spice hints show on the finish, but this needs some time in the cellar to reveal its secrets. Best after 2027. 700 cases made, 500 cases imported.” – Alison Napjus (Oct 2024)