Pian del Moro (2015)

About this wine

Pian del Moro is Musto Carmelitano’s Aglianico del Vulture from the estate’s oldest vineyard, rooted on the slopes of extinct Monte Vulture in Basilicata. This 2015 shows the grape’s classic mix of deep fruit and structure, with black cherry, plum, violet, and a touch of smoke moving through the glass. There is also a savory side that feels stony and earthy, which is part of what makes Aglianico del Vulture so distinct from other southern Italian reds. The texture is powerful but not heavy, and the finish carries notes of licorice, blackberry, and dried herbs. Aglianico has been part of southern Italy’s story for centuries, and in the Vulture zone it takes on a particularly volcanic, dark toned personality that feels both rustic and polished at once.

About the grape

Aglianico is an ancient southern Italian grape believed to have Greek roots, and it has been the backbone of Aglianico del Vulture for centuries, where growers prized its ability to age and develop complexity. On the volcanic slopes of Monte Vulture the variety thrives in deep volcanic soils and cool night temperatures, and producers often use old bush vines or guyot training with careful clonal selection to manage its naturally firm tannins and late ripening. In the Pian del Moro bottling Musto Carmelitano sources fruit from their oldest estate vineyard, harvested in the first decade of October and managed with organic practices to preserve vine balance and site expression. Winemakers in the Vulture zone tend to use long macerations and extended cellar aging for Aglianico to tame its structure, practices reflected in how this single varietal wine is produced.

Quick facts

• 🌳 Pian del Moro is a single‑vineyard cru taken from the estate’s oldest plot, with many Aglianico vines planted around 80–100 years ago.
• 🌋 The vineyard sits on the slopes of the extinct Mount Vulture, and the wine is celebrated for a distinctive volcanic minerality tied to those ancient soils.
• ⏳ Pian del Moro traditionally follows a long ‘12-12-12’ rhythm—about 12 months in steel, 12 months in large French oak, and extended bottle ageing before release.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The wine marks a generational comeback: the Musto Carmelitano family moved from selling bulk grapes to crafting estate bottlings when siblings Elisabetta and Luigi revived the old family vineyards in the 2000s.
• 📜 The name Pian del Moro literally references the local place name (often rendered as “dark/plain of the Moro”), giving the wine a strong sense of local identity and storytelling on the label.

Palate profile