Ocone

CAMPANIA Taburno  – Organic and Biodynamic    

http://www.oconevini.it/inglese/winery.html

I’ve known Domenico Ocone almost since the beginning of my business when we stood next to each other at one of those old Sam’s Italian night tastings under the tent in the parking lot. Poor Domenico – with my excruciatingly limited Italian I was still the only person at the tasting he could talk to! We’ve been friends ever since.

I would see Domenico from time to time at VinItaly and taste the wonderful organic/biodynamic wines made from the most typical and ancient Campania grapes, but never quite could make the leap over the “Masoni-Dixoni” line to bring them here. Fate would have it that we ran into each other in Piazza Bra in Verona last year, the evening before my departure a day early from VinItaly. We had a coffee on the spot to catch up. When he told me he was now warehousing in New York with Villa Calcinaia I saw it as my chance to start slowly but at last to bring in his wines and expand my portfolio in a new direction. I look forward to a long and expanded collaboration with Domenico and his wonderful wines. And they’re right up my alley – “Tail of the Fox” and “Redfeet” – of course I had to have them! Along with the more famous Falanghina, Aglianico and Greco arriving late spring.

Ocone Vini celebrates 100 years of wine production in 2010. Congratulations Domenico!

OCONE	CAMPANIA Taburno  – Organic and Biodynamic
Coda di Volpe “Cerere”	“Tail of the Fox” after the shape of the bunches; dates from the Romans; great for savory (onion) tarts & soups; Cerere- goddess of the harvest – oh yes!
Falanghina “Diana”	Thought to be brought by the Greeks maybe as early as the 8thC BC; light, citrus, balance; a wine for all seasons. One case left!
Greco	“god of abundance;” 89pt WS Ancient grape possibly brought by the Greeks
Aglianico di Taburno “Apollo”	Classic red of the region; true to its variety, full flavored, medium tannins, no rough edges
Aglianico di Taburno Anastasi	Aglianico Riserva; only in exceptional vintages; 4 years ageing before release
Aglianico Vigna Pezza la Corte	Aglianico Risreva, single vineyard; power without weight, elegant!
Piedirosso “Plutone”	“Red feet” after the reddish stems of the vines;  bursting with flavor