Elena Fucci Titolo Aglianico del Vulture

Aglianico del Vulture, Italy

Italy's most celebrated southern red wine — a single-vineyard Aglianico from 40-year-old vines on Monte Vulture's volcanic basalt at 600m. Blackberry, dark cherry, tar, violet, volcanic ash, and iron with massive but fine-grained tannins. Demands 10+ years of cellaring. Italy's 'Barolo of the South' in its most complete form.

Pairing intelligence

• main: Basilicata's traditional lamb preparation and its greatest wine — the wine's volcanic iron character and structured tannins handle the rich braised lamb; wild herbs echo the wine's complexity
• cheese: Volcanic Aglianico and aged southern Italian sheep's cheese — the wine's tar and iron complexity matches the cheese's intensity; truffle bridges the volcanic mineral notes