La Guardiense Janare Lùcchero Aglianico 2022

Pronounced, dry flavor dominates the palate, with a pronounced barrel influence.

The cooperative La Guardiense is based in Campania and produces around 4 million bottles annually. The house style aligns with the Janare range, recognized by a lighter-bodied, fresher profile with lower alcohol content (13%). The wine's bracing quality is well-balanced, with a notable strength of red fruit notes, featuring cherry, raspberry, and tamarind. These accents are highlighted by a trace of bitterness, which is tempered by the wine's firm, food-friendly tannins. The tartness has mellowed slightly over time, revealing a more complex black cherry, raspberry, and blackberry flavor profile, with mild dried herb notes.

Rich, polished wine with a deep, opaque color. Its nose is dominated by a deep array of blackberry, black currant, cherry, and violet notes, with delicate nuances of oak and vanilla. The taste is well-balanced, with a refined follow through that persists with a touch of spice and a nuance of oak. The wine is full-bodied, with a mild level of tannins and a medium finish. Overall, a nicely-balanced wine, but one that may not be intricate enough to warrant a full 4⭐️.