These Vestini wines have such a singular character when young, like a volcano turned to liquid form, but I knew nothing about how they aged so holding this was one of my cellar science experiments. This was one of the successful ones. It is coasting along wonderfully, with a still-vibrant ruby color and an aroma of rich, reduced fruit that actually feels sweeter than it did when young. The tannins have been largely absorbed so the fruit gives this a glossy sheen, but that tarry, volcanic element is still pulsing through it. The end result is something like a cross between Campanian aglianico and Barbaresco, with the volcanic earth of the former and the sporty contours and sappy grip of the latter. Not bad for an obscure, nearly extinct variety in a bottle that was 18 bucks on release.
Last bottle had a perfect cork that pulled cleanly. Heavy funk on the nose with earth, dark fruit, and tar. Medium body, acid, and finish, with flavors of black and dark red fruits, orange peel, and a dried tea/spice component. Tannins fully integrated and smooth. Definitely drink up on this one.
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Wow, "try again in 2 years" Sept. '15... pretty good on accidental timing there I guess. Well, the tannins are smooth and integrated at this point and this is probably on the downslope soon if not already, so I'd drink up at this point. The cork on this one totally broke apart, BTW. Still an opaque coloring with ruby at the very edges. Aromas of roses, tar, earth, dark and dark red fruits, and a melange of fresh herbs. Medium body, acid, and finish, with a smooth texture, and flavors of dark and dark red fruits, lemon and orange peel, and dried spices. Worked perfectly with my wife's Bolognese tonight.
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Nice, rustic Italian red that worked well with rosemary dijon marinated hanger steak tonight. First of three of these for me, and first with the variety. Dense, opaque coloring with ruby at the edges. Complex aromas of black and dark red fruits, smoke, tar, licorice, mint, thyme, and other herbs, and minerals. Medium body, medium+ acidity and finish, with flavors of black and dark red fruits, licorice, herbs, and lingering oak spice and minerality. I enjoy the restrained power and complexity to this and somewhat disagree with the "burly/manly" comment. Tannins are present and giving a bit of structure, but not really in the way; however, it's showing lightly grippy in the final, post meal glass. Try the next in 2 years.
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This is very structured and seemingly built for the long haul, but it has enough personality that there's some scientific value in trying one now. It's almost like a thicker, sturdier version of a Graves in the way it channels that asphalt-like, scorched-earth character, but this is Campania, so it has the powerful footprint and ruggedness you'd associate with something like an aglianico. It's a manly man wine. Grrrrr.
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4/29/2021 - Halfeel Likes this wine: 91 Points
Still very good here in 2021. So glad that orange piece of shit that was contaminating the WH is gone now as well.
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12/8/2020 - Keith Levenberg Likes this wine: 92 Points
These Vestini wines have such a singular character when young, like a volcano turned to liquid form, but I knew nothing about how they aged so holding this was one of my cellar science experiments. This was one of the successful ones. It is coasting along wonderfully, with a still-vibrant ruby color and an aroma of rich, reduced fruit that actually feels sweeter than it did when young. The tannins have been largely absorbed so the fruit gives this a glossy sheen, but that tarry, volcanic element is still pulsing through it. The end result is something like a cross between Campanian aglianico and Barbaresco, with the volcanic earth of the former and the sporty contours and sappy grip of the latter. Not bad for an obscure, nearly extinct variety in a bottle that was 18 bucks on release.
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11/3/2017 - studleytrey wrote: 90 Points
Last bottle had a perfect cork that pulled cleanly. Heavy funk on the nose with earth, dark fruit, and tar. Medium body, acid, and finish, with flavors of black and dark red fruits, orange peel, and a dried tea/spice component. Tannins fully integrated and smooth. Definitely drink up on this one.
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10/29/2017 - studleytrey wrote:
Wow, "try again in 2 years" Sept. '15... pretty good on accidental timing there I guess. Well, the tannins are smooth and integrated at this point and this is probably on the downslope soon if not already, so I'd drink up at this point. The cork on this one totally broke apart, BTW. Still an opaque coloring with ruby at the very edges. Aromas of roses, tar, earth, dark and dark red fruits, and a melange of fresh herbs. Medium body, acid, and finish, with a smooth texture, and flavors of dark and dark red fruits, lemon and orange peel, and dried spices. Worked perfectly with my wife's Bolognese tonight.
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9/26/2015 - studleytrey Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nice, rustic Italian red that worked well with rosemary dijon marinated hanger steak tonight. First of three of these for me, and first with the variety. Dense, opaque coloring with ruby at the edges. Complex aromas of black and dark red fruits, smoke, tar, licorice, mint, thyme, and other herbs, and minerals. Medium body, medium+ acidity and finish, with flavors of black and dark red fruits, licorice, herbs, and lingering oak spice and minerality. I enjoy the restrained power and complexity to this and somewhat disagree with the "burly/manly" comment. Tannins are present and giving a bit of structure, but not really in the way; however, it's showing lightly grippy in the final, post meal glass. Try the next in 2 years.
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3/28/2013 - Keith Levenberg Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is very structured and seemingly built for the long haul, but it has enough personality that there's some scientific value in trying one now. It's almost like a thicker, sturdier version of a Graves in the way it channels that asphalt-like, scorched-earth character, but this is Campania, so it has the powerful footprint and ruggedness you'd associate with something like an aglianico. It's a manly man wine. Grrrrr.
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