94 points Wine Spectator
A dry and aromatic red, with accents of cured tobacco and pencil shavings to the flavors of baked raspberry, licorice snap and tarry smoke. Well-knit and balanced, this is full-bodied, with dense tannins firming the finish. Give this some time in the cellar to shine. Best from 2020 through 2031.
94 points Wine & Spirits Magazine
The Montemarano vineyard rises to 2,000 feet above sea level, where cool evening breezes tempered the heat at the end of the 2011 growing season to produce this intense riserva. The blackberry and plum fruit is loaded with notes of fennel and anise, the whole encased in rigid tannins and dark mineral tones, as well as vanilla notes picked up from 30 months in French oak barriques and Slavonian casks. Give this at least five years in the cellar before pouring with an aged strip steak.
94 points James Suckling
A beautiful red with blackberry, spice, oyster shell and hints of black pepper. Medium to full body, chewy tannins and a polished and pretty finish. Gorgeous. Made from aglianico. One of the best wines in years from here.
Mastroberardino, founded in 1878, is a protagonist in the story of fine wine from Campania in Southern Italy and of the region’s signature red, Taurasi, based on the Aglianico grape. Tenth-generation vintner Piero Mastroberardino helms the estate, working with winemaker Massimo di Renzo. Starting 20 years ago, the duo pursued a more robust style for their Taurasi, shifting gears again with the 2016 Radici Riserva to “the winemaking of my father,” says Mastroberardino. The focus here is on less extraction, with a relatively short, cool maceration of eight or nine days, followed by extended aging, including 30 months in large casks or used barriques and an additional three or more years in bottle.
