Castel del Monte Aglianico Bocca di Lupo 2018

Bocca di Lupo red wine is one of the greatest wines of the Tormaresca winery, it is a pure Aglianico cultivated in a context different from that of the volcanic soils of Campania or Basilicata. Aglianico is a late ripening grape variety, typical of southern Italy, characterized by its richness in tannins and acidity. Aglianico wines are predisposed to long aging. Aglianico Bocca di Lupo is an evolved and structured wine but above all a classy wine, elegant and austere at the same time. The production area is that of the DOC Castel del Monte, in the Murgia in the province of Bari. Monte Vulture is not far away, but here the soil is formed by a large, deep, karst limestone block, particularly draining; the vineyards rise between 250 and 300 meters above sea level and the microclimate of the vineyards is affected by the winds that blow from the two seas: the Ionian to the west and the Adriatic to the east. Bocca di Lupo is also the name of the estate which has 140 hectares of vineyards surrounding a picturesque cellar built like a fortress with tuff walls.

The 2018 vintage is distinguished by a cooler climate; for the territory of Puglia this is by no means a disadvantage. Average summer temperatures were only slightly lower than usual, but with no much rain in the summer days. The grapes ripened in a healthy and balanced way.

The grapes were hand-picked, de-stemmed and the berries selected on a sorting table. Only healthy and perfect grapes are used for the production of Bocca di Lupo wine. The fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature with a maceration of 15 days. During maceration, part of the grape seeds are removed to avoid extracting bitter tannins. After racking, the wine ages for 18 months in French oak barriques.