DONNACHIARA TAURASI RISERVA
CAMPANIA, ITALY 2020
WHY BUY: 30% off a 95-point Aglianico Riserva with 5 years of bottle age from one of the great but undersung wine regions of Italy, Taurasi, and from one of our favorite small producers in Donnachiara. If ever there were a wine to lay in for a case of, this aromatic, energetic charmer is it, folks: a steal of a deal at $40 a bottle, and a wine that affirms just how vastly underrated Aglianico and Taurasi are.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: "So aromatic,” wrote James Suckling, in his ardent 95-point review, "with violet and lavender aromas, as well as raspberry and blueberry. A bouquet of flowers, too. Full-bodied and [with] chewy tannins, but polished and lively. Lots of fruit and tension."
OUR TASTING NOTES: Five years of bottle development has turned this Aglianico into something genuinely compelling; those violet and lavender aromatics that Suckling mentioned have deepened and become almost dusky, while the raspberry and blueberry notes provide a fruit-forward counterpoint that keeps things from veering into the too cerebral. What strikes you most here is the texture: those chewy tannins have softened just enough to feel polished rather than aggressive, yet they still provide the kind of structural backbone that separates a serious wine from a simple one. A final observation (and perhaps the most important one): for the price, you’d hardly expect to find a wine with this much energy and agility, and it’s this quality that stays with you long after you’ve taken your last sip. We have every expectation that it will age nicely … assuming you can keep your hands off of it.
THE STORY: Campania has pulled off one of the most impressive makeovers in modern Italian wine, transforming, in a little more than three decades, from viticultural afterthought to insider obsession. Within this southern region lies Taurasi, the so-called "Barolo of the South," which remains deliciously under the radar (and therefore a super smart buy for collectors) Local winemakers love to point out that their winemaking history predates Barolo's by centuries, though they're still waiting for the international recognition to catch up with reality. Donnachiara has been crafting wines in these Apennine foothills since 2000, and their portfolio continues to rack up accolades from major publications while maintaining the kind of low-profile pricing that makes you wonder how much longer this secret’s going to stay hidden.
FUN FACT: Donnachiara is not just a family operation but also an almost all-female venture. The CEO is Ilaria Petitto, who runs the operation with an assist from her mother, the matriarch, Chiara Petitto. A number of other women in the family serve in addition, in various capacities.
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Winter 2025 (Dec. 21st - March 20th, 2026). With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in CT, KS, MI, NE, NY, OK, or TN. This offer will expire on Monday, December 22nd, 2025.