d'Angelo Canneto Aglianico
d'Angelo Canneto Aglianico is a barrique-aged, 100% Aglianico del Vulture red wine from Basilicata, Italy, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. A Wine Spectator Top 100 selection in 2022 (ranked #49 on the list), Canneto stands as one of the flagship bottlings from one of Southern Italy's most historically significant Aglianico producers. Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5% | Origin: Basilicata IGT, Italy | 100% Aglianico del Vulture | Producer: Casa Vinicola d'Angelo Production & Heritage Casa Vinicola d'Angelo is widely recognized as a pioneer in the Aglianico del Vulture zone of Basilicata, credited as one of the first producers in Southern Italy to age wine in small French barriques. The Canneto bottling draws fruit from vines aged over 35 years, hand-harvested and vinified through a traditional medium-to-long maceration of 15 days in 8,000-litre vats. The wine then spends 18 months in French barriques before an additional six months of bottle aging prior to release — a regimen that brings structure and polish while preserving the volcanic character of the Vulture terroir. Tasting Notes Aroma: The nose is simultaneously floral and earthy, opening with roses and wild cherry before giving way to darker tones of fennel, licorice, soil, and tar. Baking spices, violet, and an earthy whiff of game add further complexity. Taste: Black cherries and blackberries lead the palate with generous ripeness, while a blast of mint and herbaceous fennel keeps the fruit from becoming heavy. The mid-palate is chewy and medium-to-full bodied, with ripe plum, new leather, and black pepper layered over a tangy crushed-stone minerality. Firm, grippy tannins provide a structured frame without overwhelming the fruit. Finish: The finish is long and persistent, marked by lingering notes of ash, balsamic undertones, and dried herbs. A dusty, mineral quality echoes through the close, reinforcing the wine's volcanic origins. How to Drink Canneto Aglianico This wine benefits from 30 to 60 minutes in a decanter to soften its firm tannins and allow the aromatic layers to fully unfold. Serving at cellar temperature, around 16–18°C (61–64°F), is ideal. Canneto's structured tannins and dark fruit profile make it a natural fit alongside braised lamb shanks with rosemary, slow-cooked ragù over pappardelle, or aged pecorino with chestnut honey. Grilled sausages with fennel seeds mirror the wine's herbal undertones particularly well. Best For Italian wine enthusiasts exploring beyond Barolo and Brunello Pairing with hearty, slow-cooked Southern Italian dishes Gifting to a collector interested in historically significant Southern Italian reds Building a cellar-worthy Aglianico vertical across vintages Frequently Asked Questions What does Canneto Aglianico taste like? Canneto Aglianico is a structured, medium-to-full bodied red dominated by black cherry, blackberry, and plum fruit, layered with licorice, black pepper, leather, and a distinctive crushed-stone minerality. Firm tannins and herbaceous freshness keep the ripe fruit in balance. How does Canneto Aglianico compare to Elena Fucci Titolo? Both wines are premium, single-vineyard expressions of Aglianico del Vulture from Basilicata, but they reflect different philosophies — Canneto is aged 18 months in French barriques with fruit from 35-year-old vines, giving it a more structured, oak-influenced profile, while Titolo tends toward a more modern, concentrated style from younger vines planted at higher elevation. Canneto carries additional historical weight as one of the first barrique-aged wines in Southern Italy. Is Canneto Aglianico good for aging? Aglianico is one of Italy's most age-worthy grape varieties, and Canneto's firm tannin structure, layered complexity, and volcanic minerality suggest strong cellaring potential across quality vintages. Most vintages reward five to fifteen years of additional bottle age. Where is Canneto Aglianico made? Canneto is produced by Casa Vinicola d'Angelo in the Vulture zone of Basilicata, a volcanic region in Southern Italy known for growing Aglianico at elevation on mineral-rich soils derived from the extinct Monte Vulture volcano. What foods pair well with Canneto Aglianico? Braised lamb shank complements the wine's earthy depth and firm tannins. Slow-cooked pork ragù with pappardelle mirrors its savory, herbal profile. Aged pecorino cheese highlights the tangy minerality. Grilled sausage with fennel seeds echoes the wine's licorice and fennel aromas. Wood-fired pizza with charred crust and sharp provolone also pairs naturally. What sizes does Canneto Aglianico come in? d'Angelo Canneto Aglianico is primarily available in the standard 750ml bottle format. Is Canneto Aglianico worth the price? Canneto positions as a mid-premium Aglianico del Vulture, and its inclusion in the Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2022 alongside critical scores in the low-90s place it among the best values in serious, age-worthy Southern Italian reds — particularly compared to similarly structured wines from more famous appellations in Piedmont or Tuscany. Why Canneto Aglianico? Canneto occupies a unique place in Southern Italian wine history as one of the first expressions to demonstrate that Aglianico del Vulture could stand alongside Italy's most celebrated reds when given the barrique treatment. That pioneering approach, now validated by decades of critical recognition including a Wine Spectator Top 100 placement in 2022, has not diminished the wine's identity — it remains rooted in volcanic Vulture terroir, with the tangy minerality and herbal complexity that distinguish the grape in this region. The combination of 35-year-old vines, traditional maceration, and 18 months in French oak produces a wine of genuine depth at a price point that still rewards discovery. For drinkers who know Aglianico's potential, Canneto is one of the benchmarks.