A great wine, complex and powerful. There's a mix of plum, strawberry and dried herbs on the nose, backed up by some cassia and white pepper. Some dried floral notes appear with some air, and despite the richness and volume of the wine, it is not heavy or dense. Plenty of fine tannin and brisk acidity keep things moving nicely.

Cantina Madonna della Grazie is an historical estate located on the now-flattened slopes of what was previously an active volcano, Monte Vulture. Here the focus is on the great red grape of southern Italy, Aglianico. The winery is named after the local church (Our Lady of the Graces) and there is indeed something religious about the love of the wines here - mysterious and wonderful all at once. That's part of the appeal of Aglianico; its wildness and its wonder. The winery is run by Paolo Latoracca, the family’s principal winemaker, along with his brother Michele, and of course, being Italian, watchful guidance from their parents Giuseppe and Irma. Both of the parents works in the winery and vineyard as youngsters, and still are involved in labelling and local sales. The winery is certified organic, and the current vines were replanted in the 80s, making them quite mature currently (the vineyards of the region are generally replanted every 30-40 years). The wines here are filled with personality, freshness and detail, and still manage to possess that wildness of spirit that encapsulates the region.