Grifalco, Aglianico del Vulture 'Damaschito', 2019

“Damaschito” is Grifalco’s top bottling, sourced from a high-elevation, organically farmed vineyard in the shadow of Monte Vulture—an extinct volcano that defines the soils and identity of this rugged corner of Basilicata. The vines dig deep into volcanic tuff and basalt, yielding fruit with natural concentration and striking mineral edge.

The family behind Grifalco—rooted in Campania, now firmly planted in Vulture—takes a minimalist approach in the cellar: native yeast fermentation, long maceration, and aging in large neutral barrels. The 2019 is tightly coiled but unmistakably alive—built on structure and acidity rather than oak or extraction. It’s a wine that speaks of altitude, rock, and time.

This isn’t flashy Aglianico. It’s layered, serious, and built for slow unfolding. Drink it now with a long decant, or cellar it confidently for 10–15 years. If you love Barolo, Etna Rosso, or reds that prioritize place over polish, Damaschito belongs in the rotation.