Taurasi Riserva DOCG 2012 Donnachiara

Taurasi is one of Italy's great wines and yet it is still undiscovered by many wine lovers. Only a handful of wineries produce this high altitude red, and Donnachiara is one of the newest. Just profiled in Wine Enthusiast Magazine as a Rising Star, the vineyards are family owned and have been for five generations but the brand new, very modern winery was just established in 2005. Aglianico vineyards slope down the steep hillsides in this mountainous region of Southern Italy. Campania, where Taurasi is located is drenched in sunlight but the high altitude tempers the climate and extends the growing season, allowing the grapes to develop ideal balance of sugars, acids and tannins as well as take on complex flavors. Celebrated Enologist Ricardo Coltarella is now in charge of the process. This is a limited, 250 case production Riserva.

Wine Spectator also scored this 93 saying "A finely crafted red, with supple tannins providing a focused frame for flavors of ripe black currant and plum fruit, savory dried thyme, star anise and loamy earth. Medium- to full-bodied and elegant, presenting a lasting, fragrant finish. Drink now through 2030."

Wine Enthusiast Magazine scored this 93 points saying "Spiced plum, blue flower, vanilla, French oak and balsamic aromas lead the way on this firmly structured red. Full-bodied and elegant, the youthful, enveloping palate evokes blackberry, black cherry, pipe tobacco and ground clove framed in tightly knit fine-grained tannins. Drink 2020–2032."