MARCO TINESSA
Montesarchio
Campania
Marco Tinessa’s winemaking career grew out of an obsession with natural wine and a love affair with the Campanian denomination of Taurasi. His debut project began with the acquisition of a single vineyard of Aglianico near Montemarano. Ognostro came to be thanks to the help of Marco’s mentor and friend, none other than the iconic Frank Cornelissen, whose eponymous winery in Sicily has become a standard bearer for Italian natural wines. So close was this partnership that Marco in fact vinified all of his wines in Frank’s cellar right up to the 2017 vintage.
Marco grows Aglianico in astonishingly low yields and often harvests well into November. This allows him to develop good phenolic ripeness without compromising on Aglianico’s high natural acidity. Just like his mentor, Marco prefers fermentation in clay amphorae or high-density polyethylene tubs as they “prevents any influence on the wine and the terroir”.
In addition to his spectacular Aglianico, Marco today produces a rich and textural Fiano, a fresh and vibrant Falanghina, a Merlot and an entry level Aglianico.
Rubice
Vintage 2020
Style White
Region Taburno
Varieties Falanghina
ABV 11.5%
Soils Volcanic
Farming Organic
Winemaking A mix from a couple of vineyards located in Montesarchio and Castelvenere. Both planted at reasonably young vines, with a south exposure at 400mt above sea level. Fermentation with native yeasts and a brief one-day maceration takes place in fibreglass. This is followed by 7 months of ageing in stainless steel. A minimal 2g of sulfur are added after fermentation. The wine is unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note Fresh and energetic with a nose packed with citrus and fruity aromas. The palate shows riper tones, perfectly balanced by gentle bitter notes of toasted almond. It ends salty and mineral, with salivating acidity following through.
Bianco, Ognostro
Vintage 2020
Style White
Region Lapio
Varieties Fiano
ABV 13.5%
Soils Volcanic
Farming Organic
Winemaking It is obtained from old vines of Fiano planted at 500mt in the district of Lapio, within the Fiano di Avellino denomination. The vineyards are an average age of 30 to 60 years old. Grapes are de-stemmed and spontaneously fermented and macerated on the skins for two days in fibreglass and and concrete vats. Malolactic conversion occurs naturally and it rests on fine lees for a minimum of seven month in a mixture of ceramic amphorae and stainless steel tanks, followed by a further 6 months in bottle. The wine is unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note An harmonious white with an expressive nose displaying aromas of ripe yellow fruit, balsamic and spicy notes. On the palate the freshness combines gracefully with the aromatics, finishing frangrant and lifted on a smoky mineral quality.
Aglianico
Vintage 2020
Style Red
Region Montemarano
Varieties Aglianico
ABV 13.5%
Soils Clay, sandy loam, volcanic
Farming Organic
Winemaking This Aglianico is made from rented young vines on the volcanic soils of Montemarano. The vineyard is named Tocco and the vines average age is 15 years old. The approach in the cellar is very similar to the one for Marco’s top red. Grapes are hand-picked in October, followed by de-stemming and pressing. The juice is macerated on the skins for 2-3 weeks and fermentation takes place in fibreglass. The wine is then aged in ceramic amphorae for 18 months with an additional one year of maturation in bottle.
Tasting Note Fruit forward and generous on the dark fruit. It offers floral notes combining with myrtle and finishing on an herbal lift.
Sopale
Vintage 2020
Style Red
Region Lapio
Varieties Merlot
ABV 13.5%
Soils Clay, sandy loam, volcanic
Farming Organic
Winemaking From three small rows bordering Marco’s parcel of Fiano in Lapio, the old vine Merlot grapes are hand-harvested and undergo a maceration of approximately 30 days. Once pressed the wine is raised for just under a year in tank.
Tasting Note Brandy soaked cherries, fresh rose with lovely peppery tannins on the finish. Deep and concentrated but with juicy velvety intensity.
Rosso, Ognostro
Vintage 2019
Style Red
Region Montemarano
Varieties Aglianico
ABV 14.5%
Soils Clay, sandy loam, volcanic
Farming Organic
Winemaking De-stemmed, high-altitude Aglianico from two small sites between Montemarano and Castelfranci. The Montemarano site sees a north exposure and the average age of the vines is 30 years old. The Castelfranci vineyards range from 50-90 years old and face south. The latter 90 year old vineyards are Pergola trained. Grapes are hand-picked and de-stemmed and macerated on the skins for approximately one month, followed by pressing. These are spontaneously fermented in a mixture of concrete and stainless steel tanks and then raised in a combination of concrete and ceramic amphorae for 18 months. Marco does not like to use barriques in order to alter the taste and characteristics of the variety and on the other hand his production is way too small to age in the big barrels traditionally used for Taurasi.
The wine is unfiltered and unfined and and minimal dose of 1g of SO2 was added after fermentation.
Tasting Note Ognostro is not just a wine, but an expression of its origin. The wine is inky and dark with aromas of black fruits, citrus peel, and ginger. Drinks with surprising freshness considering its deep and brooding character.