One thing to be said about Italian wines is that they are rarely boring.
There are so many areas, styles and varietals to choose from that they keep surprising you.
It just happened to me a few days ago when I took a chance on a bottle of Synthesi 'Aglianico del Vulture' (2003).
So pleased was I upon tasting it that I almost felt like saying a prayer of thanks.
This Italian red is not just any wine, it is full bodied with a deep red robe and a velvety finish, 100% Aglianico del Vulture.
It comes from the town of Barile in the Basilicata wine region thanks to the good people at Paternoster.
The Vulture in this Synthesi comes from a nearby extinct volcano of the same name.
Grapes for this wine are grown on the slopes of this Vulture where the soil is ashes and lava rich.

Dylan York (Classic Wines) describes the Aglianico grape as "a dark, thick-skinned variety that is typically harvested as late as October or November. This makes it the latest harvested grape in Italy for a dry wine. Attempts to harvest Aglianico any earlier than this would result in a harsh, tannic wine".

The Corkdork tasted a glass and liked it so much that he ordered a bottle during a meal at A 16 in San Francisco. I don't know if I agree with the 'pleasant oaky-mossy-lilypad' attributes he gave it but who cares we both liked the wine.

Definitely worth the $19 paid for it.

Got 2 glasses from Gambero Rosso.

A pleasant surprise.

More Italian Juice: Off the coast of Le Marche, Fattoria Laila 'Rosso Piceno', Perfect Barbecue Wine