Rocca Del Principe, Taurasi Aurelia (2016)

Product Description

Musky black cherry gives way to savory herbs and mineral tones, with balsamic spice. It floods the palate with silky textures, vibrant acids stimulate the senses. The finish is long and structured as its spicy red fruits slowly fade.

Producer Description

This small family winery was founded in 2004 by husband and wife team Ercole Zarrella and Aurelia Fabrizio, together with Ercole’s brother Antonio. The estate is located in Lapio, a small village near Avellino, on the green hills of Irpinia, a particularly ideal location for the Fiano grape. Having dedicated their lives to the land and vineyards of the area, in 2004 the trio began crafting and bottling their own wines from this unique territory. In fact, Ercole was among the first growers to believe in the potential of the Fiano grape, replanting his family’s old vines (despite their reservations) with this important white variety from Southern Italy. Despite its young history, the experienced team immediately commanded the attention of critics and consumers alike, boasting a plethora of awards. Rocca del Principe is most well-known for its Fiano di Avellino, but the estate produces wines from both the white Fiano and red Aglianico grapes, two varieties closely tied to the territory. Each of the wines released from this cellar features exciting aromatics, minerals and compelling nuances that are markedly unique to the region. Rocca del Principe owns about 10 hectares (25 acres) of land, 6 (14.8 acres) of which are planted to Fiano and 1.5 (3.7 acres) to Aglianico. Fiano vineyards are planted on two opposite sides (north and south) of the Arianiello hillside, one of the most suitable areas for this important white variety thanks to its proximity to the Picentini mountains, which help to regulate heat and emphasize the difference between day and nighttime temperatures. Aglianico is planted in the well-regarded Contrada Campore (1,640 feet a.s.l.), a location that has always given exceptional results for this red variety. The vineyards on the North hillside (Contrada Arianiello to Contrada Tognano) enjoy a cooler climate and a more marked day-night temperature range. The volcanic soil varies from silt and sandstone to clay, and the resulting wines are elegant and fine, yet rich in acidity and minerality. The vineyards on the South side (Contrada Arianiello, Contrada Lenze and Contrada Campore) tend to have a hotter and dryer climate, with calcareous clay soil, and wines tend to be richer and fruitier. The resulting wines from the vineyards of each side are then blended, creating a single harmonious Fiano di Avellino that highlights the best from each vineyard site.