Rotondo Aglianico del Vulture

Wine Enthusiast, May/2021

2017 -

"Rich aromas of anise, cola and cigar box combine into the dense brandy-soaked cherry on the nose. It's creamy and full on the palate, with luscious berry fruit wrapped in warm, toasty spices. There's a polish to it all, with racing acidity driving it along. Drink through 2030."

Wine Spectator, Feb/2022

2017 -

"Bright acidity enlivens the expressive range of ripe black cherry and black raspberry fruit, melted licorice and wild sage notes of this red, while a tar-tinged underpinning gains momentum and lingers on the chewy finish. Best from 2023 through 2032. 333 cases made, 300 cases imported."

Wine Spectator, Aug/2020

2016 -

"Savory tarry smoke and sweet melted licorice notes play off of each other in this fresh, harmonious and full-bodied red, layered with flavors of baked black cherry and Earl Grey tea. The firm tannins are fine-grained, defining the finish. Drink now through 2031. 333 cases made, 300 cases imported."

James Suckling, Nov/2019

2016 -

"Glazed cherries and dried, dark plums work very well with overtones of aniseed, cedar and tar. Medium to full body, ripe but nicely edged-out tannins and a fruit-driven yet steely finish. Drink from 2021."

Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Oct/2019

2016 -

"Paternoster is one of the benchmark states of the Vulture volcano that now works in partnership with the Tommasi family in the Veneto. The 2016 Aglianico del Vulture Rotondo is a dark and nicely concentrated expression of Aglianico that opens to ripe notes of blackberry and black currant with campfire ash, mesquite and smoked spice on the close. The bouquet is very distinctive and very volcanic in personality, so you might need to pair this dish with some sweetness like a dish with cream sauce or béchamel."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Oct/2019

2016 -

"Paternoster is one of the benchmark states of the Vulture volcano that now works in partnership with the Tommasi family in the Veneto. The 2016 Aglianico del Vulture Rotondo is a dark and nicely concentrated expression of Aglianico that opens to ripe notes of blackberry and black currant with campfire ash, mesquite and smoked spice on the close. The bouquet is very distinctive and very volcanic in personality, so you might need to pair this dish with some sweetness like a dish with cream sauce or béchamel."

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Feb/2020

2015 -

"Good full ruby-red. Very deep, bright, aromas of dark berries, black cherry and licorice; this has a darker cast to it than does Paternoster’s other top Aglianico del Vulture bottling, the Don Anselmo. Sweet, sappy and youthfully chewy, offering a wonderfully pliant texture for young Aglianico from a rather warm, structured vintage. On the long finish, primary dark fruit flavors are accentuated by herb and licorice undertones."

Wine Enthusiast, Jul/2020

2015 -

"Heady tones of violet and rose ride over a dense wild-berry core in this wine sourced from the contrada Rotondo near the town of Barile. The medium-bodied palate is driven by lots of tangy crushed stone energy, with tightly coiled red fruit hiding behind it all. There's a real sense of hidden power to this wine, which needs time to unwind. Drink 2022–2030."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Nov/2018

2015 -

"The 2015 Aglianico del Vulture Rotondo is a soft and slightly more contemporary and accessible expression of the Aglianico grape. This is a medium to full-bodied red that possesses dark fruit, dried cherry, sweet spice and toasted oak. The wine stands out thanks to the richness of its texture and the suppleness of the tannins. This is a structured wine for sure, but the tannins have been well managed to show no sharp edges."

Wine Spectator, Oct/2019

2015 -

"A fresh, firm and densely knit red, offering an up-front waft of warm brown bread, ground pink peppercorn and anise. This full-bodied version opens in the glass, revealing aromatic hints of violet and marjoram that accent the ripe mulberry fruit, iron-laced mineral and dried fig flavors as they echo on the supple finish. Best from 2022 through 2029. 550 cases made, 100 cases imported."

James Suckling, Oct/2018

2015 -

"Rather traditional here with lots of fruit that verges on being jammy and big, chewy tannins. Yet there’s freshness to this full-bodied red. Drink now."

James Suckling, Oct/2017

2013 -

"This is a solid red with spice and berry character. Chewy tannins. Lots of walnut and sandalwood. Medium to full body. Flavorful finish. Drink now or hold."

Wine Enthusiast, Jun/2017

2013 -

"Aromas of espresso, spiced plum and whiffs of oak-driven spice take center stage on this structured red. The firm elegant palate doles out black cherry, raspberry jam, cinnamon and licorice set against assertive fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. Drink 2018–2028."

Wine Spectator, Sept/2018

2013 -

James Suckling, Nov/2016

2012 -

Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Aug/2016

2012 -

"The 2012 Aglianico del Vulture Rotondo is a delicious and succulent wine with a nostalgic twist. The wine evokes some of the most authentic Aglianico aromas with dark fruit and volcanic ash. The label depicts a little row of pine trees that frame an abandoned house and the drawing renders an almost Tuscan-like dreamy fantasy world. Those of us who are familiar with the area know that a massive volcanic cone was cut from the frame. The reality is another. In the mouth, this wine shows tight tannins and considerable power."

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Apr/2017

2012 -

"Deep ruby. Black cherry, camphor, licorice and sexy Asian spices on the nose. Rich and dense in the mouth; tangy acidity lifts the rich red and black fruit flavors. Finishes long, spicy and smooth. This wine is made from different parcels of grapes grown on four hectares around the Villa Rotondo. The average age of the vines is 30 years (one hectare of particularly beautiful vines is 50 years old). Maceration on the skins and fermentation last roughly 20 days at a maximum of 82 degrees farenheit (28 degrees celsius) on average. Aged 18 months in barriques, of which 20 percent are new (the first vintage of this wine was the 1997, and at that time it was all new oak). This was meant to be a DOCG wine, but Vito Paternoster, who is extremely unhappy with the guidelines of the new DOCG, has decided against it."

Wine Spectator, Feb/2017

2012 -

"This harmonious red is fragrant, with savory notes of tarry smoke, wild herb and leather, layered with sculpted tannins and flavors of dried cherry, orange peel and ground white pepper. Delivers a long, lingering finish. Drink now through 2027. 600 cases made."