Salvatore Molettieri Taurasi Vigna Cinque Querce 2008

Drink now or cellar for up to 15 years. Decant 1 hour before serving.

Salvatore Molettieri comes from a long line of grape growers in this charming corner of Campania to the west of Naples which is best known for its punchy Taurasi reds. In 1983 Salvatore decided to start making his own wines rather than sell his fruit to Mastroberardino. Before long he was joined by his son, Giovanni, who trained as an enologist, as well as his other three sons who help out in the family business.

The fruit for this magnificent Taurasi is sourced from the Cinque Querce vineyard which is set on clay and calcareous soils at 500 metres above sea level. The hot sunny summer days and cooler nights help to create lusciously ripe fruit which retain some aromatics and freshness.

Once in the winery the grapes are macerated on the skins for up to 20 days in 50% wooden casks and 50% stainless steel tanks. The young wine is then matured in a combination of 30, 50, and 80-hectolitre oak casks and smaller French oak barriques for 36 months. This lengthy ageing refines the wine, creating a surprisingly elegant yet powerful Taurasi that’s capable of ageing for at least another decade. Notes of plum, sour cherry, leather and dried herbs make it a great match for hearty game or red meat dishes like venison, partridge or even a fine ribeye steak.