2020 Torre Varano Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio

Community Tasting Notes (1) Avg Score: 89 points

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  1/30/2024 - bevetroppo Likes this wine: 89 Points

  In the old days of cellartracker it wasn't that uncommon to stumble on a wine that had thus far eluded the database, especially if you often drink off the beaten path. But as the site has matured, such an event increasingly became a rarity, and I don't think I've entered a new wine in a few years.
  
  Imagine then my surprise with today's specimen, which is apparently so obscure that even the importer doesn't list the grapes, and I only found them on a hopefully reliable retail site in France. It's actually a blend of 80% piedirosso and 20% aglianico, if you can believe them.
  
  The color is a pretty pale cherry with purple highlights. largely transparent. The nose is initially delicate and I find if I sniff at the rim vs. deep draughts there are delightful lifted blue fruits with floral underpinnings, followed by plum and cherry as I nose around a bit. It's at best medium-bodied, with a lovely initial entry full of red fruits, flowers and crushed stone, finishing with an acidic tang, cracked black pepper and telltale bitterness, not that I'm any expert on piedirosso. The tannins are persistent but relatively mild, although there's plenty of acid keeping things juicy. A lively 12.5% makes it rewarding right out of the cellar.
  
  Very cool wine, and fun to be here first. Good for 3-5 years, just be conscious of the bitter finish if that's not your thing.

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