Those two Italian specimen come from a tasting pack that I have recently ordered at www.vinonostrum.net. I wanted to try another tasting pack, using a 15% off voucher that was offered via their weekly newsletter. I decided for the Carbone Vini tasting pack, consiting of 3 different Aglianico reds (steeltank, big barrel & barrique), 2 Aglianico blanc de noir and 1 Fiano di Avellino white. I am a big fan of Aglianico! I was very curious so of course it did not take long until the first bottles were opened. It was very hot so I went for the Fiano and the blanc de noir. The facts are these…
Name: “Rosa” Aglianico / Fiano de Avellino
Producer: Carbone Vini
Region: Italy (Basilicata)
Type: blanc de noir (according to the website) / white
Vintage: 2013
Variety: 100% Aglianico / 100% Fiano de Avellino
Vinification: steeltank
ABV: 13.5% / 13%
Style: dry
Seal: composite cork
Source: www.vinonostrum.net
Price: 13€ / 14€
“Rosa” Aglianico
1st bottle of the Carbone tasting pack, an Aglianico blanc de noir, “from young vines on volcanic soil, this comes just from soft pressing, without any skin contact”.
Eye: Pale orange-salmon colour, slow legs.
Nose: Nose of wild strawberry, rose petal & other floral notes, med intense. (11.5/15)
Palate: Fresh palate, spicy, subtle herbal notes, salty, saline/marine touch, light berry aromas, med+ acidity. (11.5/15)
Body/Balance: Med body, med concentration, good balance. (7/10)
Finish: Med-long salty finish with sublte berry notes. (7/10)
Overall: Overall very good, nice play between saltiness and subtle berry fruit.
11.5+11.5+7+7(+50) = 87/100p
Fiano de Avellino
Very interesting wine. At the beginning I wasnt sure about it, so strange in smell & taste. One day later things were clearer.
Eye: Pale golden colour, oily rims.
Nose: Unique style, slightly oxidized smell, dried apricots & raisins, mineral freshness entering your nose, med intense. (11/15)
Palate: Intense palate, very concentrated, ripe, rum raisins, dried figs & yellow stone fruit. Dominating med+ acidity, very mineralic, salty. (11/15)
Body/Balance: Med body, good concentration & balance. (7/10)
Finish: Lasting dry finish, refreshing, some alcoholic heat. (7/10)
Overall: A bit heavy actually, a good wine though. Special.
11+11+7+7(+50) = 86/100p
Conclusion:
Both have that distinct salty touch which is surely an expression of the terroir. Entry level wines, not cheap nor expensive. But for sure you get a nice piece of artisan winemaking and a real tasting experience! I never had comparable wines so far.
Pairing:
The Aglianico It is said to be a super match with pizza. Lucky me my neighbours invited my for dinner, I brought this bottle and guess what they made. 😉
The Fiano would be better as food wine with some fatty/creamy pasta dishes or fish. Could imagine it to be a top partner for tagliatelle with salmon in cream-lemon sauce.