Always a landmark on the panorama of Campania reds, the Mastroberardino 2015 Taurasi Naturalis Historia delivers depth and generous density with dark fruit, dried blackberry, spice and campfire ash. Indeed, the oak spice and the natural mineral nuances of this wine intersect to reveal a smoky, mahogany-like ensemble of aromas. This vintage also delivers some tart cherry aromas backed by black olive and grilled rosemary. You feel the tart bitterness of the fruit tannins. Keep this wine in your cellar for a few more years.

This full-throttle, racy red leads off with minerally tar and saline notes before segueing into flavors of steeped cherry, cured tobacco, lavender, spice box and citrus. Well-built and compact without being weighty, this is medium- to full-bodied. Dense tannins emerge on the long, spiced finish. Best from 2022 through 2034. 530 cases made.??–AN??Region: Italy / South / Taurasi Select to Add

This is a powerful wine in most vintages that makes do with fruit from a difficult growing season in 2014. Many vintners were forced to abandon much of their grapes, thus reducing yields considerably in order to make the best quality possible. I'm sure that some of those hard decisions apply to the 2014 Taurasi Naturalis Historia. There is a dark core of black fruit here with side aromas of spice, tobacco and smoke. The oak tannins feel more prominent, and there is a hint of sourness on the compact and lean finish.

Fine and creamy, featuring a pleasing fleshiness that accents the flavors of baked black cherry and plum fruit, with hints of eucalyptus and tea leaf creating a fragrant, savory overtone. A tightrope walker, this balances a medium to full body with concentration and focus in a fresh, graceful manner. Drink now through 2032. 660 cases made, 30 cases imported.??–AN??Region: Italy / South / Taurasi Select to Add

The 2012 Taurasi Naturalis Historia opens to an inky dark and impenetrable appearance. The team at Mastroberardino have nailed the style and the intended personality of this wine in what was a hot and not always even vintage. Careful work has been achieved here to craft a powerful wine that almost goes overboard but that ultimately never crosses the line into heaviness or flatness. It offers dried blackberry, cherry confit, spice, Teriyaki smoke and campfire ash.