GUASTAFERRO
Guastaferro is located right in the heart of the commune of Taurasi. The grapes are farmed from seven and a half hectares of prime Aglianico vineyards that young Raffaele Guastaferro has had the good fortune to take over from his father. The first vintages under the Guastaferro name were in the early 2000s, prior to that the Guastaferro family sold fruit to big Taurasi wineries, such as Feudi di San Gregorio. Two and a half hectares consist of these massive, pre-phylloxera vines between 175 and 200 years of age. They are a sight to behold and recall some kind of mythical past.
Guastaferro’s ancient vines ©Raffaele Guastaferro
vines that produce the Memini grapes
The remaining vineyards have been planted with cuttings from those old vines and are – so Guastaferro has all pre-phylloxera stock even though not all pre-phylloxera era. This fact is significant since the conversation of grape biotypes is extremely relevant when we talk of Italian wines. This Aglianico biotype is not only specific to the commune of Taurasi, but to the Guastaferro estate! Pretty cool stuff. It’s no wonder why Raffaele’s wines are so distinct. They offer enormous depth of flavor and aging potential.
Raffaele offering us some perspective ©Raffaele Guastaferro
The family produces Taurasi, Taurasi Riserva, and Irpinia Aglianico (and a very small amount of Greco di Tufo, but that is not imported. We’d have to get to Italy to taste it, and I’m certain it’d be worth the trip). The Taurasi Riserva is vinified exclusively from the ancient vines (175+ yrs).
The Memini is an Iripinia Aglianico, but all grapes are sourced from within Taurasi, so it serves as an excellent introduction to the Taurasi terroir. The grapes for Memini come from Piano del Angelo and Contrada San Marco.
