2016 Feudi San Gregorio Irpinia Aglianico "Serpico", Campania - 750ml

94 Points – Wine Enthusiast

Serpico is Feudi di San Gregorio’s ambitious expression of Aglianico, produced in the high-elevation landscape of Irpinia from old vines and built for extended development in bottle. The 2016 is now beginning to move from its youthful dark-fruited intensity toward the smoky, earthy and savory complexity that makes mature Aglianico so distinctive.

Blend: 100% Aglianico.

Tasting Notes: Black cherry, blackberry and plum are joined by tobacco, leather and dark chocolate, with notes of smoke, dried herbs and earthy spice emerging with air. The palate remains fresh and mineral-driven, with dark fruit and savory complexity framed by firm tannins and a long, iron-tinged finish.

Structure: Medium to full-bodied, with Aglianico’s naturally assertive acidity and dense tannins providing considerable backbone. At ten years from vintage, the wine is beginning to soften, but its freshness and tannic structure suggest that the 2016 still has significant development ahead.

Drink Window: 2027–2038. The 2016 remains youthful and capable of further development, making additional cellaring worthwhile even though it can be approached now with sufficient aeration.

Decanting: If opening now, decant for approximately 60–90 minutes to help the still-firm tannins relax and allow the wine’s fruit, mineral and savory dimensions to emerge. Serve around 60–64°F in a generous red-wine glass.

Serpico demonstrates why serious Aglianico belongs among Italy’s most age-worthy reds, combining southern Italian fruit with formidable structure, freshness and increasingly complex tertiary character. The 2016 is particularly suited to collectors willing to give it time, or to a substantial dinner alongside braised beef, lamb, game, mushrooms or aged cheeses.