Sergio Arcuri, Aris, Cirò Classico Superiore, Calabria, Italy 2020

An exemplary Cirò from Sergio Arcuri, this is one of the best in the DOC. Arcuri believes that the finest wines of the area come from coastal bush vines planted at high density – up to 10,000 vines per hectare. This is from two vineyards rich in clay, near the Ionian coast, and undergoes four days of skin contact followed by two years’ maturation in concrete, and six months of ageing in bottle before going on sale. There’s real fruit and juiciness here, which is something few achieve with Gaglioppo, but the grape’s signature aromas of terracotta, dried strawberry, spiced cherry, sweet leather and membrillo are still present. The grainy, textured tannins indicate this will continue to develop well in bottle.