2001 Feudi di San Gregorio Irpinia Serpico- Italy, Campania, Irpinia (9/8/2013)
Decanted 6 hrs. Yes, this is clearly a modern take on Aglianico. The French oak and forward nature of the wine could be a slight turn off for those seeking something in the more traditional side, but I really dug this. Dark cherry and chocolate notes dominate initially, with the acidity and tannin somewhat in the back ground. Extraordinary how young this wine tasted. IMO, most wines that are structured this way might be a tad tired at 12 years age, but not a chance here; this was young and spry, and a lot of fun to drink, a very strong testament to the quality that this the Aglianico grape. By the second glass the fruit tasted more plum like, layered and complex. Oddly, with a fresh bite of food, the chocolate notes returned, no matter, it worked either way. Aglianico is no doubt the world’s best value at the high end level, just need to be patient with them. As much as I like this, the 99 Piano di Montevergine is still the best wine I have tasted from Feudi. (94 pts.)
Wow, great notes, big score. Serpico is one of those wines that HAS to be from a good vintage, apparently, and then it absolutely kills. I’ve had several in weaker vintages and it’s meh at best.
Thanks for the great note. I have not had many Aglianico wines, but everytime i have one i say to myself that i need to explore this grape much further.
I had bottles of the 1999 and 2000 Cantine del Notaro - Aglianico del Vulture - Il Repertorio on separate occasions a couple of years ago and was pleasantly surprised to find out how nicely they had developed. Those were very spoofified/international-style/oaked when young, but made for very enjoyable (though not extra special) drinking.
Sounds like I’m in the same boat as a few of you guys. I bought 6 on release, tried one young-big waste. Then buried the others in offsite storage. I dug one out recently and it was a nice surprise. Very nice now with room for upside
thanks for the note
Has anyone tried the Luigi Tecce Irpinias that Chambers Street has been touting? The sub-$20 one was sold out when I went there Saturday. I bought the $40 one, and their web site says they’re down to one bottle now. The $80 bottling was too rich for my blood.
2010 Feudi di San Gregorio ‘Serpico’ [Irpinia] This is a pre phyloxera, 100 year old vines Aglianco bottling that gets a modern level of new oak, and overall - fashioned in an international style. I’ve had prior vintages, in their youth, and they were powerful and impressive. This was an Italian gray market import, and given the years/rackspace/money…leaves me underwhelmed. This surprised me given prior examples. The first night was just popped and poured, and there were graphite, licorice elements on a higher acid body. On the second night more flavors emerged: fruitcake, ashes/smoke, minerals/volcanic?, and again more acid that has gotten ahead of the fruit and structure. The color is a dark ruby, and its full bodied. I tried it out of glasses intended for Burgundy and Rhones; I didn’t detect any glaring difference. It was well regarded by professionals on release, and I’ve had stunning examples when this was a more popular name around the turn of the century, but I’d slot this into the B zone, maybe a B+. I’ll save money Italian lira for more typical examples of national varietals like Sangiovese and Nebbiolo.
Wow blast from the past, I hadn’t thought about the Seprico for quite some time, thanks for posting. It is tricky navigating higher end Campania reds, but I’m an optimist, and there are some really good producers that can show case Aglinicos unique qualities. Cantine Lonardo is one of my favorites among with a few others.
