Don Anselmo Aglianico del Vulture

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Mar/2024

2018 -

"Crushed black cherries, steeped plums and cloves come together with a dusting of cocoa and brown spice as the 2018 Aglianico del Vulture Superiore Don Anselmo wafts up from the glass. It’s soft and supple with velvety textures. Masses of mocha-tinged black fruits meet complicating saline minerals and hints of blood orange. It finishes long and staining with sweet tannins and notes of dark chocolate that rest under an air of violet inner florals."

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Jul/2021

2016 -

"The 2016 Aglianico del Vulture Don Anselmo opens slowly at this young stage, yet it’s quite intense all the same. Fans of pungently ripe cheeses and earthy funk will find a lot to like about the initial burst that wafts up from the glass. However, swirling brings forward a captivating display that mixes incense and rose with exotic curries and currants. The velvety textures soothe the palate with a polished display of dark fruits, as bright acidity and minerals add a tactile grip toward the close. Through it all, there’s a coating of gruff tannins that slowly take hold, clenching the palate with youthful grip, while leaving bitter herbal and cedar tones and hints of tobacco resonating through the finale. It will take years for the 2016 to soften and come fully into focus, but it will be worth waiting for."

Wine Spectator, Jun/2020

2016 -

"A rich, savory red in a fresh, full-bodied frame, featuring pretty notes of ripe cherry, black raspberry and licorice, layered with finely meshed threads of tarry smoke, saline and cured tobacco. Dense, fine-grained tannins provide definition, but remain well-swathed by the detailed flavor range. Best from 2022 through 2032."

Wine Enthusiast, May/2021

2016 -

"Enveloping aromas of cherry coulis, pomegranate molasses, anise seed and blood orange carry over to the rich yet deftly balanced palate. There's intense energy to the coiled red-berry flavors, with a mineral zip propelling it along while polished tannins firmly wrap it all up. Drink now–2030."

Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Oct/2019

2016 -

"This historic wine is something of a benchmark for Southern Italy, and it certainly is for the Vulture wine region of Basilicata. The 2016 Aglianico del Vulture Don Anselmo shows good balance and a dark bouquet with ensuing aromas of blackberry, black currant, spice, smoke and tar. It displays the power, determination and elegance of volcanic winemaking. The finish is restrained and compact."

James Suckling, Nov/2019

2016 -

"This is a very ripe, rich aglianico with dried spices, tea leaves and herbs, but there’s a fresher edge of orange rind and the dried-meat notes are complex and beguiling. Despite the prevailing dried-fruit character, the palate cuts a rather sleek shape through linear acidity and edgy, vertical tannins."

Wine & Spirits, Dec/2019

2016 -

"Notes of dark chocolate, licorice and pipe tobacco weave through this wine’s dried-plum flavors. The tannins are firm and chewy, and the wine takes on gamey notes toward the finish."

Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Nov/2018

2015 -

"The 2015 Aglianico del Vulture Don Anselmo sees fruit sourced from a 4.5-hectare single vineyard located at 600 meters above sea level. Soils are composed of compressed ash and crushed volcanic sponge rock. The wine opens to tangy fruit aromas that are brooding and thick. Background aromas of tar, smoke and cigar ash give the wine dimension and complexity. The wine is tight in terms of its texture and tannins and could use a few more years of bottle aging before you pop the cork. Fruit was harvested on the 23rd and 24th of October. Don Anselmo is fermented in equal parts steel vat and oak barrel. It then ages in wood for 20 months, followed by an additional six months in steel (that replaced older cement vats). The 2015 vintage is hitting the market now."

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Feb/2020

2015 -

"Medium red-ruby. A knockout nose showcases aromas of redberries, flint, earth, leather and wild herbs. Then silky in the mouth, with a crushed-stone minerality providing structure to the ripe raspberry, licorice and earth flavors. Juicy, sappy and edge-free, this dense, multilayered wine boasts an extremely long, refined finish."

Wine & Spirits, Jun/2019

2015 -

"The Paternoster family makes about 150,000 bottles a year from their 50 vineyard acres on the slopes of Mount Vulture in Basilicata. Don Anselmo is their top wine, made from the estate’s oldest vines, growing in volcanic soils at 2,000 feet of elevation. It’s dense and formidably tannic, its plum and raspberry flavors infused with notes of graphite and tobacco. Brisk acidity balances the wine’s smoky richness, keeping the structure lithe."

James Suckling, Oct/2018

2015 -

"This is a delicious and exotic red with clove, tea-leaf and ripe-fruit aromas and flavors. Full body, soft tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Anise coming through at the end. Delicious finish."

Wine Spectator, Oct/2019

2015 -

"Creamy tannins firm this suave, medium- to full-bodied red, while lightly juicy acidity and a tang of tarry smoke mesh with flavors of wild cherry, fennel seed and tobacco. Offers a long, fragrant finish. Best from 2021 through 2029."

Wine Enthusiast, Jul/2020

2015 -

"Named after the founder of the winery, this is an effusive, rich and structured wine. An enveloping nose of blueberry tart, sour cream, iodine and crushed rock carries to the broad palate, with roasted hazelnut chiming in. The fruit feels rounded and lush but held in check by pulsing acidity and fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2030."

Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Nov/2018

2013 -

"The top shelf wine in the Paternoster portfolio is the 2013 Aglianico del Vulture Don Anselmo. This very attractive and elegant vintage reveals a beautiful bouquet with extremely chiseled and focused fruit. The cool growing season results in bright aromas of dark berry, spice, licorice and campfire ash. There is a tangy element, too, with grilled herb and rosemary essence. This full-bodied wine is robust and amply structured at the back. This vintage is superior to 2015 in terms of linearity and sharpness. The 2016 vintage should enjoy an exceptionally long period of bottle evolution and aging."

James Suckling, Nov/2019

2013 -

"Fascinating aromas of licorice, lavender and burnt orange follow through to a full body and firm, silky tannins. Vivid, intense finish. The tannins are almost resolved, the fruit fresh and the aftertaste complex."

Wine & Spirits, Jun/2018

2013 -

"Fruit for Paternoster’s flagship wine comes from low-yielding parcels on volcanic soils at 2,000 feet above sea level. The cool breezes at this altitude preserve acidity in the fruit and promote nuanced scents of rose petals and wild herbs. The tannins are plentiful but fine, polished by 20 months of aging in barrels, half barriques and half large Slavonian casks. A ferrous note streaks through the fresh red-plum flavors, its coolness set against notes of black spice on the way to a long, poised finish."

Wine Spectator, Sept/2018

2013 -

Gambero Rosso 2017

2013 -

3 Bicchieri

Bibenda Sept/2017

2013 -

5 Grappoli

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Apr/2017

2012 -

"Dark red with ruby tinges. Floral red cherry and raspberry aromas are complicated by Asian spices and tar. Rich, dense and multi layered, offering suave flavors of red cherry and sweet spices, all brought nicely into focus by harmonious acidity. Finishes long and complex, with rich, lingering red fruit, tobacco and Asian spice echoes. Knockout wine of rare grace and refinement for Aglianico del Vulture. First made in 1985, Don Anselmo was the Vulture's first wine to be produced from a selection of grapes. It is named after Vito's grandfather, Anselmo, whom Vito used to follow on walks throughout the vineyards. Don Anselmo was originally made with grapes from the Maschito area, but the parcels were sold to the D'Angelo winery, so the bulk of grapes for this wine now come from the high-quality Macarico subzone near Barile (the grapes are always harvested about four to eight days later than those used to make the Rotondo). Aged in large oak casks and in barriques (20 percent new)."

Wine Spectator, Mar/2017

2012 -

"An elegant medium- to full-bodied red, with impeccable balance and integration, this layers fine tannins and a subtle sanguine note with flavors of crushed cherry and raspberry, spice box and dried marjoram. Long, fresh finish. Drink now through 2027. 850 cases made."

Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Aug/2016

2012 -

"Paternoster releases another spectacular edition of their flagship wine despite the more challenging conditions of this hot vintage. The 2012 Aglianico del Vulture Don Anselmo is a fine specimen of Aglianico that offers a seductively dark and velvety appearance. The bouquet reveals dark fruit, spice, chocolate, grilled herb and black mineral. This is a full bodied red with well-managed tannins. This edition is not as long-lasting or deep as the excellent 2010, but it deserves positive praise nonetheless."

James Suckling, Nov/2016

2012 -

"A spicy red with clove, light pepper and nutmeg character. Medium body, firm and silky tannins and a flavorful finish. More balanced than in the past. Delicious aglianico. Drink now."