Packaged in a very heavy glass bottle with a tiny metal sword affixed to the front, this late-release Aglianico wants to make a grand statement. Indeed, the Vesevo 2014 Taurasi Ensis is driven by oak in a rather excessive manner. Fruit from the cool 2014 vintage tends to show a more delicate or understated personality, and this could be one reason why the oak imprint feels so strong. Or it could just be too much barrel age. It finishes in specially selected French barrels for 16 months. The wine shows an inky dark appearance with baked plum, cinnamon, toasted almond and vanilla. Those sweet aromas cede to bitterness in the mouth. Production is 30,000 bottles.

The Vesevo 2013 Taurasi Ensis is a limited release wine with, presumably, the sword of Damocles ("Destrictus Ensis") affixed to the front label. This elaborate artwork sets the tone for a rich and brooding expression of Aglianico with plenty of plummy dark fruit and smoky tar or resin. Fruit comes from 40-year-old vines planted very high at 500 to 700 meters above sea level where cool nighttime temperatures and diurnal shifts keep the wine's acidity freshest. Thanks to four years of oak aging, you can also expect lots of extra spice, toast and sweet oak cinnamon.