The 2017 Taurasi is wild, with a seductively earthy bouquet. Cedar shavings and exotic spice complement citrus-tinged blackberries and minty herbs. It's surprisingly fresh yet potent, with an intense core of balsamic-tinged black fruits carried across a velvety textural wave. The 2017 tapers off with a mentholated freshness, leaving a pleasantly bitter sensation and a caking of fine tannins that tug at the cheeks. This is a classic Taurasi at its best. Of note, the grapes that would usually be used to create the single-vineyard Coste were added to the Taurasi due to the extremely low yields in 2017.

Another back vintage, the Contrade di Taurasi 2017 Taurasi Lonardo shows ripe, raisiny fruit and lots of sweet oak spice. The wine is heavy and loaded up front with the black and jammy flavors you expect from a scorching hot vintage such as this. It ends with thick textural fiber and chalky tannins. 5,000 bottles were released.