This bottle showed up in our house quite a few months ago, when I was hot on the trail of Aglianico-based wines. But as is often the case, our motley collection of wines grew haphazardly, my attention shifted from Aglianico, and this poor bottle languished in the shadows, waiting to be reconsidered. So as part of a recent push to drink the wine we actually have as opposed to buying new, we decided to open this bottle up the other night.

The Tari is Caggiano’s entry-level Aglianico wine. All of the grapes come from vines grown within the bounds of the Taurasi DOCG, but are considered too young by Caggiano to use in the Taurasi-labeled wine. Instead they use them to make this medium-bodied, more approachable wine. Aglianico makes up 80% of the wine, with Piedirosso adding 15%, and Fiano 5%. The Piedirosso and Fiano help to soften the wine considerably, and round some of Aglianico’s thornier edges. After fermentation the wine is aged 10-12 months in French barriques before being bottled.

The color of the wine is medium ruby red. The nose is intriguing with spices, tobacco, black cherries and dark red fruits. The palate is interestingly balanced, with an acidic undercurrent staged opposite a red fruit core. Some slight vanilla flavors emerge from the oak barrels, and lie alongside flavors of flinty menthol, grape skins, and black cherries. The wine is medium-textured and gentle, with some gripping tannins. The medium-length finish is all red fruit, with black cherries and raspberries kicking around.

A very pleasant, very drinkable red wine. It definitely displays some of aglianico’s characteristic elements, while still being very approachable.