At a glance

Producer

Donato D'Angelo

Region

Basilicata, Italy

Grape variety

Aglianico

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

€16-€25 (retail, ex-Italy)

Tasting profile

Vivid black cherry, plum, wild herbs, violets, smoke, earthy mineral backbone; chewy structure.

Evolution: Will gain complexity: leather, tobacco leaf, balsamic, more integrated tannins and tertiary nuances.

At peak: Firm yet elegant balance, layered dark fruit, developed spice, velvet-textured tannins, persistent finish.

Structure

Acidity

High, typical of Aglianico from Vulture.

Tannins

Medium-high, moderately grainy, requiring time to soften.

Alcohol

Moderate to high (usually 13.5-14.5% ABV).

Aging potential

Strong; can age 10-15 years for peak character.

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2027 to 2032

Optimal window

2025 to 2035

Current status

Youthful and structured, suited for early exploration or medium-term cellaring.

Current condition

Firm tannic structure and fresh acidity; primary fruit dominates, integration underway.

Aglianico from Vulture has famously slow-maturing tannins and pronounced acidity, which means the wine drinks best after 5-7 years in bottle, when its structure loosens and complex aromas develop, peaking before significant tertiary fade sets in.

Food pairing

Rich braised meats (lamb, beef short rib), game, aged pecorino, wild mushroom risotto, smoked eggplant.

Serving

Decant

Yes (30 minutes) — The wine has medium-high tannins that are moderately grainy, which can benefit from aeration to soften and enhance its flavors.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 6/10

Donato D'Angelo employs traditional viticulture, favors minimal intervention, and uses sustainable cover cropping and native yeast fermentation. Limited mechanization in steep vineyards reduces fuel use, and there is some focus on water management. Packaging is standard weight glass; no light-weighting or recycled materials currently noted.

While Donato D'Angelo has a local, small-producer profile with hands-on vineyard practices and limited intervention, the lack of formal environmental certifications and standard packaging lowers the sustainability score. Vineyard practices are moderately progressive, but without eco-labeled bottling or quantifiable carbon offset measures, its overall sustainability is solid but not leading-edge.