2014 Reale ‘Aliseo’

Region: Costa d’Amalfi < Campania < Italy 
Grapes: 50% Biancolella, 40% Biancazita, 10% Pepella
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Certified organic, volcanic soils, own-rooted 70-120 year-old vines, hand harvested, fermented in stainless steel. Just 200 cases produced.
Winemaker: Luigi Reale

Reale’s story reads like an Italian dream, from the family property located in a remote hillside town above Ravello on the Amalfi Coast, to the B&B/osteria they run there, down to the insanely small production of the wines they make. However, in reality, the Amalfi Coast is known as a region better suited to a luxurious vacation than serious wine. But Luigi Realie is the real deal, focusing only on the indigenous varieties that have been planted on the property for over 100 years, manually working all of the steep hillside vineyards, getting organic certification. Luigi’s wines are complex and intriguing examples of what is possible from this region and we’re lucky to get some of his rare juice in the states. This is a serious wine with potential for aging, but it is absolutely gorgeous now. Full-bodied, with a long core of acidity, evolving notes of lemon pith, unripe nectarine, white flowers, and a background of salinity and minerality. I just returned from the Amalfi Coast (and almost visited Luigi, until a Europecar issue spoiled that plan) – this wine captures the beauty of this special place, and takes me right back. So perfect with anything seafood.