Elena Fucci
Aglianico del Vulture Titolo
The Fucci family has lived on their estate in Basilicata since 1960, when Elena’s grandfather bought six hectares of vineyards at the highest part Contrada Solagna of Titolo, at the foot of Mount Vulture (an extinct volcano). Though it wasn’t until the 2000 vintage that the full potential of the domain’s 70-year-old Aglianico vines was properly explored. The family was going through the process of selling the estate when Elena made the last-minute decision to take on the property herself, with the intention of developing the vineyard and devoting herself to the land that she grew up loving so dearly. Simply walking through the vineyard rows at Elena Fucci is a fascinating history lesson; the terrain is volcanic, the soil is mineral, dark in color, and pozzolanic, which clearly catalogues in its layers the history and life of the Vulture volcano, visible just a few hundred meters away. This fascinating terroir translates to a fascinating wine in the glass.
* Wine & Spirits Top 100 Wineries of 2022
Tasting Notes
Smoke leads to sandalwood and herb infused flavors of raspberry jam and green olives. A long finish promoted by volcanic soils and high altitude Aglianico vineyards offers the most complex varietal example from the region.
Cultivation
Positioned at the foot of Mount Vulture (an ancient extinct volcano), the vineyard is in the heart of production from the Aglianico del Vulture area. Manually harvested with small crates the last week of October and is normally one of the latest harvests in Italy.
Vinification
The Aglianico is de-stemmed and crushed in small batches and then fermented in stainless steel with a maximum temperature controlled to 22-24° C.
Aging
Malolactic fermentation takes place within 100% new French oak barriques and matured for 12 months. The wine is aged in the bottle for an additional 6 months before being released to the market.
Press
2020:
95 points - Antonio Galloni
91 points - Wine Spectator
2019:
94+ points - Antonio Galloni
2018:
93 points - Wine Enthusiast
92 points - Antonio Galloni; 2017:
93 points - Antonio Galloni
92+ points - Wine Advocate
2016:
94 points - Robert Parker
90 points - Wine Spectator
APPELLATION
DOC Aglianico del Vulture
VARIETAL
100% Aglianico
ABV
14%
ALTITUDE
650 meters
SOIL
Volcanic lava and ash mix
PHILOSOPHY
Organic
AVERAGE AGE
55-70 years
ANNUAL PRODUCTION
28,000 btls