ANNO QUINTO

Anno Quinto is the summit wine of the Vigne Brigante portfolio — the wine that represents the estate's most ambitious and most considered statement, requiring the patience of a full year of barrel ageing followed by a further year in bottle before it is ready to be shared. The name speaks of a fifth year, or a fifth element, or some fifth dimension of complexity that this wine aspires to and achieves — a label that suggests both the time invested and the result expected.

The blend of Gaglioppo (60%) and Greco Nero (40%) is a genuinely interesting compositional choice — combining the two great indigenous red varieties of the Cirò tradition in proportions that give the Gaglioppo primacy while allowing the Greco Nero to contribute its own specific character: a grape of different aromatic register, of warmer, softer fruit and a particular palatal richness that complements the Gaglioppo's mineral austerity.

The production process is one of the most intensive in the estate's range. After vinification, the wine matures for 24 months in a French oak barrel — a full two years of wood contact that integrates the tannins, develops the aromatic complexity, and imparts a layer of spice and structure that the two indigenous varieties alone could not achieve. Twelve further months in bottle follow before release, ensuring that the wine arrives in the best possible state of integration.

The result is intense and complex — a wine of remarkable aromatic depth that opens slowly and rewards the patience with which it was made. The 24 months in French oak leave their mark in the spice and vanilla notes that underlie the fruit; the Gaglioppo's mineral structure provides the backbone; the Greco Nero contributes warmth and generosity on the palate. It is a wine for significant occasions and the finest of tables.

Available through UniqueWines in carefully managed allocation.