Guastaferro Primum Riserva Taurasi 2015

The 2015 Taurasi Riserva Primum is drop-dead gorgeous, while also being balanced to a tee. Here I’m finding a complex and layered bouquet, showing masses of black cherry offset by exotic, savory spice, that give way to smoky minerals, sage, rosemary, and a hint of animal musk. It floods the palate with velvety textures, before saturating red and black fruits make a dramatic entrance, encased in a complex web of acids and tannin, yet still somehow showing remarkably fresh and energy. The finish is long, displaying attractive ripe red and blue fruits, yet with a coating of grippy tannin that promises many years of development. All of this, and at 13.5%; what a stunning and perfectly balanced Taurasi. This is a beautiful expression of ancient vine Aglianico from Guastaferro.