Region: Campania, Italy

Varietal: Pallagrello Nero with Casavecchia

Tasting Notes: A deep ruby in the glass, the 2020 ‘Settimo’ opens with aromas of black cherry, dried rose petals, crushed graphite, and a touch of wild herbs. On the palate, it strikes a balance between richness and lift—silky yet structured—with flavors of dark plum, cocoa, anise, and a hint of black pepper. The tannins are fine but present, giving the wine a quiet grip that carries through a long, savory finish. It’s a wine of nuance and depth, ideal for lovers of elegant reds that reward attention and evolve beautifully in the glass.

Producer: The story of Pallagrello Nero is one of near extinction and remarkable rediscovery. Once a favorite of the Bourbon royal court at the Palace of Caserta in the 18th century, this ancient Campanian variety vanished from vineyards and memory for over a century. In the 1990s, it was revived through the efforts of a few visionary producers—chief among them the Alois family—who recognized its historical and viticultural value. With “Settimo,” Alois pays homage to this noble legacy, naming the wine after the family’s founding patriarch. The wine is a modern expression of a lost varietal, linking the depth of southern Italy’s past to its dynamic future.

Vineyard & Winemaking: Alois farms organically in the volcanic soils of the Caiatini Hills in northern Campania, where Pallagrello Nero thrives in the warm, dry climate tempered by mountain breezes. Grapes for “Settimo” are hand-harvested and fermented in stainless steel before aging in a mix of French oak barrique and tonneaux. The winemaking is intentional but restrained, focused on preserving the grape’s natural structure, aromatic complexity, and elegant tannins. The result is a wine that showcases both the rustic charm and quiet refinement of Campania’s indigenous varieties, with a character entirely its own.