TN: 2011 Contrade di Taurasi (Cantine Lonardo) Taurasi (Italy, Campania, Taurasi DOCG)

WINE TALK
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  • 2011 Contrade di Taurasi (Cantine Lonardo) Taurasi - Italy, Campania, Taurasi DOCG (3/4/2018)
    After having an exceptionally positive experience with Lonardo’s ‘Le Coste’ last summer, I was really anxious to try this straight Taurasi. Ian D’Agata had this pegged as a 94 in his write up and I don’t think he was too far off the mark. This got better by the hour in the decanter (6hrs) on the nose, and by game time, this was firing on all cylinders. Whereas the Le Coste was a more finesse / elegant fella, this was pure Agliancio muscle bound goodness, chisled in fact is how I would describe this. Pure red cherry and Iron - no wood or oak influence, wonderfully purity on display. For all its strength, its worth noting this balanced and overall fresh and seamless. Should age really well. If you haven’t tried this producer before, all three of this wines I have tried have been excellent, not to mention unique and full of character. (93 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

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I am interested in learning more about Taurasi. Thanks for the post. I have had one Taurasi from Cantine Lonardo and really liked it.

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Many thanks for the note and this does sound like it’s in my style slot - a few down there do indeed get a little carried away with the oak and occasionally the ripeness. A name I’ve seen around, but yet to taste one.

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Ian & Howard, thanks for the replies.

I should add the third wine was a white called ‘Grecomusc’ a grape that was thought to be extinct but they found some of it growing in one of their vineyards and brought it back from the dead. Similar in spirit to Greco di Tufo but perhaps a tad richer. A little out of season now, but when warmer weather kicks in it wold be great to have on the patio with fresh tomato salads or other lighter fare.

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I posted on the 2001 a week ago. Good stuff.

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Thanks for the note. I recently discovered this wine somewhat by chance after sharing a bottle off the list of a restaurant/wine bar in Santa Monica close to New Years.

My friend and I were quite surprised and pleased with just how good this was. She is quite experienced with wine but had never had an Aglianico previously.

It took 20-30 minutes in the decanter to really come alive but it was fantastic. I found it being sold at Wally’s here in LA and picked up a bottle for my cellar during their tent sale. I’m going to let it sleep another 5 years.

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  • 2011 Contrade di Taurasi (Cantine Lonardo) Taurasi - Italy, Campania, Taurasi DOCG (9/12/2024)
    Decanted 1 hr. Very much liking the evolution here, still a typical dense mass of structure and Aglianico tannin but some refine refinement is slowly creeping in around the edges. While it is dense, I don’t find it obtrusive at all, as it seemed the fruit and overall feel of the wine is in a cozy state of equilibrium. The finish had a taste of Tootsie Roll that wasn’t quite as sweet or candied as it might seem, but I couldn’t think of a better descriptor. I love Lonardo’s Taurasi’s and other single vineyard designates as they really showcase the potential of this grape without being dolled up to look to pretty. (93 points)
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