WTN: 02 Contado Di Majo Norante Aglianico del Molise

KABOOM! Big and huge wine made of 100% aglianico in the Molise region (not Campania or Basilicata!). Deep ruby red, almost purplish color. Barnyard and espresso machine wafts as the wine was poured, which made me think Bordeaux, or Cab/Merlot mix? Dark blackberry fruit. Aged in barriques and large casks for 2-3 years. Tannins tamed but very present. Dusty licorice finish - not very long. Maybe this wine will benefit from being in the cellar a couple more years. Very masculine wine.

I havent had the '02, Paulo, but my impressions of '01 and '00 are similar to yours here. A huge wine, but I didnt find the oak overly troublesome in years past.

I've had other Aglianicos that were a little more traditional and more subtle, but, I think, too, that the wine could use more time in the cellar. Canneto is a particular producer of this variety that I have enjoyed a while back that was more traditional using Slovanian oak as opposed to barrique barrel aging.