About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
Serpico comes entirely from the historic Dal Re vineyard in the municipality of Taurasi. The five-hectare site lies at 365 metres above sea level on sandy, volcanic soils. Its pre-phylloxera Aglianico vines grow on their own roots and have an average age of 150–180 years. The plants are trained in the traditional a tennecchia system; individual vines reach about 2.5 metres in height and extend for 4–5 metres.
The old vines form part of the “I Patriarchi” research project developed with Professor Attilio Scienza and the University of Milan. The project studies the DNA and history of surviving pre-phylloxera plants and supports their preservation in a vineyard conceived as an open-air museum.
Grapes
Aglianico from the historic Dal Re vineyard’s century-old, ungrafted vines.
Vinification
Alcoholic fermentation and maceration take place in stainless-steel tanks for approximately three to four weeks.
Ageing
The wine matures for 18 months in French-oak barriques and medium-toast 50 hl casks, followed by 50 months of bottle ageing.
Technical data
Irpinia Aglianico DOC. The 2018 wine has 14% alcohol and is offered in a 0.75 L bottle. Recommended serving temperature: 18 °C.
Tasting profile
Ruby red. The complex bouquet combines cherry jam with sweet spices, liquorice, coffee and cocoa. The palate is balanced, distinctly mineral and marked by substantial persistence.
Serving and pairing
Serve at 18 °C. Pair with roasted red meats, noble poultry, game or aged cheeses.
Vintage notes
The 2018 growing season began with a comparatively mild first part of winter, followed by very cold, rainy weather in February. Temperatures remained below average into early April, when frost substantially reduced yields in the Dal Re vineyard. Persistent rainfall continued through the middle of spring, particularly in May. The first part of summer was only moderately warm, but from the second half of July an African anticyclone brought a prolonged period of hot, dry weather lasting until the end of August. September and October were more regular and slightly warmer than their seasonal averages. Occasional storms and pronounced day-to-night temperature variation supported the final stages of ripening. The Dal Re grapes were harvested on 11 October 2018.
The resulting vintage combines unusual softness with notable power and extraordinary ageing potential. The broader vintage character favoured wines valued for clarity, grace and ease of drinking rather than exceptional weight or breadth.
Label / history
Serpico expresses Feudi di San Gregorio’s work with Taurasi’s historic vines. It is made entirely from fruit produced by the century-old plants of the Dal Re vineyard, preserving material that represents an important part of Irpinia’s viticultural heritage.
