Wine of the Month: Raffaele Guastaferro 2016 Taurasi Primum

There is a specific kind of magic that happens when a winemaker chooses to listen to the whispers of history rather than the demands of the modern market. Raffaele Guastaferro is one of those rare guardians.

Based in the heart of Irpinia, Campania, Raffaele doesn't just make wine, he is creating a legacy. His family estate in Piano d’Angelo sits on volcanic soils that are home to some of the oldest vines in the world, majestic giants that have stood for over 200 years. To walk through his vineyards is to walk through a living museum, and it is this profound connection to the past that defines his flagship expression: Taurasi Primum 2016.

While Taurasi is often called "The Barolo of the South" for its power and longevity, Raffaele’s approach brings a level of elegance and purity that is truly singular. Guided by a philosophy of minimal intervention and deep respect for the Aglianico grape, he and enologist Fortunato Sebastiano craft wines that feel both monumental and incredibly precise. The 2016 Primum is a masterclass in balance.

After years of careful ageing in large barrels and bottle, it has emerged as a wine of immense character. The first pour reveals a deep, brooding ruby. On the nose, it is complex and ethereal, a heady bouquet of dark cherries and violets layered with more soulful, earthy notes of wild mushroom, aromatic Mediterranean herbs, and a faint hint of tobacco. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and concentrated, yet it moves with a surprising grace. The tannins are rich but finely polished, supported by a seam of fresh acidity that carries the volcanic minerality through to a long, stately finish.

This isn’t a wine that demands your attention with loud, oaky flourishes. Instead, it captivates through depth and honesty. It is a wine that feels rooted in the earth, shaped by the sun, and refined by time.

With a tiny production of only 2,600 bottles, the Primum is a rare treasure. It is a bottle for the patient collector, the curious explorer, or anyone who wants to taste the "Olympus" of Italian red wines. It is a piece of Campanian history, bottled by a man who knows that some things are worth waiting for.

This rare wine is available exclusively at Baruccio. To order a bottle, please do not hesitate to contact us, here.