Cantine
del Notaio
Debuting in 1998, Cantine del Notaio has become one of
only a few producers credited with signifying the largely
unrealized potential of the Basilicata region (which had,
for all intents of purposes, been a two-producer zone since
the inception of the renowned houses of Paternoster and
D’Angelo in the 1920s). Indeed, it was the intention
of founder Gerardo Giuratrabocchetti (who inherited the
estate of Cantine del Notaio) to undertake formal study
of the Aglianico grape as represented in the Aglianico
del Vulture appellation. To this end, he sought out the
expertise of Luigi Moio, a professor of Oenology, who provided
invaluable assistance in both revitalizing the operation
of a series of ten linked cellars and selecting high-quality
vineyard sources. Cantine del Notaio’s holdings comprise
26 hectares, representing five vineyards.
Cantine del Notaio produces two Aglianico del Vulture
bottlings—La Firma and Il Repertorio. The former,
as its name suggests (La Firma means “The
Signature”), is the estate’s premier bottling.
An extended maceration period of 25 days and aging in one-
and two-year-old French barriques accounts for its
intense expression and substantive, though elegant tannin
structure. Il Repertorio (“The Repertory”)
exhibits less complexity, as its grapes are harvested earlier
and receive a shorter maceration period, as well as aging
in slightly older barriques (two- and three-year-old).
While the white Moscato and Malvasia varieties are fairly
ubiquitous in Basilicata, very few white bottlings are
exported, given their lack of distinction. However, Cantine
del Notaio brings these aromatic varietals together in
a sweet wine that offers a highly concentrated aromatic
profile. The estate also fashions two grappas from the
pomace of Aglianico grapes.
Giuratrabocchetti’s educational objectives remain
ongoing, conducted via a formal Aglianico project dedicated
to realizing the height of Aglianico del Vulture’s
expression.
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