"Elena Fucci is a force." - Eric Guido, Vinous
It's been a slow, grinding but steady ascent for Italy's premier southern denominacions, and Aglianico del Vulture is at the head of the pack. Several producers are forging the region's modern path, but arguably none are as dynamic as Elena Fucci. Having taken over her family's estate in 2000 at a very young age, she has risen as the most prolific voice and advocates of Vulture, as well as one of its most talented winemakers. Her style has evolved over the years, blending forward-looking vision and rooted tradition. In short, it straddles a fine line between Old World and New World.
Her latest set of releases further confirm her as a must-know for any true Italian insider. Centered around the 7.5-hectare family vineyard of Titolo, these Aglianico wines are full of distinctive personality, reflecting in part her objectively great winemaking and in part the amazing volcanic terroir of the DOCG. The 2022 SCEG is a classic introduction to the varietal, made in an accessible style, which for Aglianico still means a few years in the cellar to show all its cards. Even today though, it's "savory yet cool-toned, with depths of dark red fruits and tactile minerality" that will offer loads of enjoyment.
The Titolo bottlings are the crown jewels, conveying the family estate and the varietal in its purest form. The 2021 flagship Titolo is "impossible to ignore," boasting a seamless, balanced, measured profile that earned 94 points from both Eric Guido and Wine Advocate's Monica Larner, who writes, "the 2021 Aglianico del Vulture Titolo is classic Elena Fucci and is the wine you should buy if you love her signature style." Elena's stylistic evolution is also fully evident in the 2021 Titolo by Amphora, which as one might induce, is done entirely in clay amphorae, which means it is pure varietal expression to the max. This double 94-point, "precious and limited release" is a fascinating counterpoint to the flagship Titolo, with "wonderfully soft contours and vivid fruit" that showcase the full potential of this fantastic estate.
Best of all, these wines are all tailor-made for the cellar, with potential lifespans that rival the finest red wines of Tuscany and Piedmont, for a fraction of their prices. If you're on the hunt for your next great discovery from the Boot, Elena Fucci should be top of your list.