Tenuta del Porconero IGP Campania Aglianico 2018

Alana L rated this wine as 88/100 with the following review:

Campania… Just writing this word brings me back to a part of the world that I adore. The people, the food, the wine, the spectacular Amalfi Coast, the Cilento park, the ruins of Paestum and Pompei, the chaotic beauty of Naples…

It is near the ruins of Paestum that the Pagano family has been making premium wines since 1988 at Azienda Agricola San Salvatore where they practice entirely organic and biodynamic viniculture in a terroir with optimal soil and climatic conditions, using a photovoltaic system that allows them to minimize the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, avoiding mono-culture by ensuring that more than three quarters of their estate is covered in olive groves, woods and orchards, and where… A herd of 450 buffaloes live on the land and roam amongst the vines, where, in addition to the famed mozzarella di Bufala, they supply the necessary fertilizers for the vineyards, fruit orchards and olive trees! The Pagano’s wines are renowned for their clarity and purity without losing authenticity and typicity.

Tenuta del Porconero is the Pagano family’s new series of modern, entry level wines from native Cilento wine varieties growing in the vineyards between Stio and Giungano in a hilly-mountainous terroir rich in minerals.

Made with 100% Aglianico, hand harvested, softly crushed, and fermented in steel tanks, this wine is full of freshness from the influences of the nearby sea. Deep red, with aromas of ripe black fruit (cherry and blackberry), spice, black pepper, savory game notes, and a bit of smoke and warm earth; the palate is juicy and full-bodied, with good acidity and continues the black ripe fruit, savory notes and ‘spicy’ character with pepper at the end. Full bodied, with a punch of (balanced, smooth) tannins and character, and a nice lingering finish. Would pair beautifully with red meat on the grill, hard cheeses and Italian sausage.

And for the story behind the name and label? Porconero, meaning ‘black pig’, is so named after an ancient Cilentan proverb ‘puorc nir’, core chin’: ‘black pig, heart big’.

David met the winemakers initially at the Dusseldorf Prowein Conference in 2019 and later that same year again at Vinitaly. Impressed by the quality of the wines, winemaking philosophy and practices, and feeling that wines from Campania were underrepresented in Quebec he chose to feature them in his portfolio (a decision proven right by his clientele as they are among his most sold wines). David carries a small, but beautifully curated and original selection of wines from Italy, Spain, Moldova and Quebec. He’s chosen each one for a reason and is more than happy to share the stories behind each as well as why they made it into his offering! I was lucky enough to meet him recently and to taste through a selection of wines that reflect what he does with his young (2 years) agency: have a limited, different, high quality selection of wines at price points ranging from $15 - $45.

Cheers!