Donato D'Angelo"Calice" Aglianico del Vulture 2021

Historically, the D’Angelo name is unarguably the most important in Aglianico – at least in its most important DOC, Aglianico del Vulture. Almost all references, whether decades-old or recent, reference the D’Angelo name and more specifically, Donato, as the master-maker of the zone. 

Donato D'Angelo's has been involved in the wine trade and the passion and love for wine all his life. He was born in 1953 in Rionero in Vulture, Basilicata, into a family of wine producers who sold bulk wine since the 1930's through the ventures of his grandfather, also called Donato.

In 1966, Donato left Basilicata to study Viticulture and Oenology in Conegliano Veneto, Italy. Simultaneously, doing an internship at Carpenè Malvolti, the famous producer of Prosecco.

During his studies he developed a passion for sparkling wine and for the Prosecco area, however, he chose to return home to Basilicata and experiment with the family wine making business. 

With his newly gained wine knowledge he instantly recognised the potential of the Aglianico grape and, although still very young, transformed the family winemaking business from making bulk wine to producing their own quality wine.

Not only was Donato d'Angelo one of the first oenologists in Basilicata, but he was also a pioneer in the introduction of using wood in Southern Italy and the first ever to export his wines from Basilicata to America.

In true styled Italian treachery, the D'Angleo winery was taken from Donato. When Donato’s brother and partner in the winery died prematurely, his clan used its majority ownership to force Donato and his wife Filena out of the picture, even though Donato was the founder and winemaker and even though he single-handedly revived the Aglianico del Vulture appellation. No love lost there!

In 2001, they set up the Donato D'Angelo winery and today, the vineyard is run by his three daughters Erminia, Alessandra and Emiliana.

There are some who say that Aglianico is one of Italy’s top grape varieties – the Nebbiolo of the south. 

10-day macerations in concrete tanks followed by about 18 months in large casks.

This wine has a gorgeous array of rose, cherry, red plum, raspberry, red flowers, a light dusting of choc powder, along with minerality. In the glass it evolves continuously.

Old spice flavours beautifully supported by mouth-coating tannins through to a long and strong finish. 

	Italy, Basilicata		13.5%
	Cork		In the next 5 years
	Red Meat, Hard Cheese, Game & Hearty Stews.		75cl
	Aglianico