Basilicata: I Sasssi Aglianico del Vulture

 Color: Darker ruby red with hints of purple.

Aroma: Blackberries, violets, earth. Rich and velvety.

Taste: Fuller-bodied with higher acidity. Ripe red fruit, cedar, and spice flavors.

Pairing: Game, roasted lamb, or stews.

The I Sassi Aglianco del Vulture is made in limited production by the prestigious wine estate Donato D'Angelo in the heart of the growing region of Basilicata, the nearly land-locked growing region wedged among Campania, Calabria, and Puglia. The name I Sassi comes from the name of the region. The capital of the province is Matera and the original settlement lies in two canyons carved by the Gravina River. This area, the Sassi di Matera, is a complex of cave dwellings carved into the ancient river canyon. Over the course of its history, Matera has been occupied by Greeks, Romans, Longobards, Byzantines, Saracens, Swabians, Angevins, Aragonese, and Bourbons.