What kind of wine is Irpinia Campi Taurasini DOC 'Ion' 2019 - Stefania Barbot?

The Irpinia Campi Taurasini DOC 'Ion' 2019 - Stefania Barbot is a red wine produced entirely from Aglianico grapes, one of Campania's emblematic grape varieties. The name "Ion" derives from ancient Greek and means "violet," a tribute to the intense color and floral aromas that characterize this wine. Hailing from the hills of Irpinia, in the Campi Taurasini sub-zone, this red embodies the authentic soul of the territory: fresh, profound, and with great personality.

Vintage Details

The 2019 harvest was balanced and regular, with a climate that favored the perfect ripening of the grapes. The temperature swings between day and night helped preserve aromas and acidity, yielding an elegant and harmonious Aglianico. The vintage is distinguished by an excellent balance between structure and drinkability, making the wine already enjoyable today but also promising for future evolution.

Winemaking and Aging

Fermentation takes place in steel at a controlled temperature, with maceration—the contact of the must with the skins—lasting approximately two weeks, which helps extract color and tannins in a balanced way. After fermentation, the wine ages for one year in steel: a choice made by Stefania Barbot to preserve varietal purity and the most authentic expression of the fruit. This is followed by further aging in the bottle before commercial release.

Tasting Notes

The Irpinia Campi Taurasini DOC 'Ion' 2019 - Stefania Barbot is a wine with an authentic character, telling the story of the Irpinian territory with every sip.

Color

Visually, it presents a beautiful deep ruby red color with violet reflections, an explicit homage to its name and the wine's youth.

Nose

The aroma is intense and fragrant: it opens with notes of violet, cherry, and small red berries, followed by delicate spicy and mineral nuances. A fine yet decisive bouquet that invites tasting.

Palate

On the palate, it has a medium body, elegant, and balanced. The tannin—that sensation of very slight astringency typical of red wines—is dense but well-polished. The fresh acidity provides momentum and harmony, while the long, clean aromatic persistence speaks to the genuineness of the fruit and the precision of the interpreter.

Food Pairings for Irpinia Campi Taurasini DOC 'Ion' 2019 - Stefania Barbot

This Aglianico is best expressed with savory and succulent dishes. Perfect for accompanying traditional cuisine or grilled meats, it also finds balance and satisfaction with hearty pasta dishes.

• Grilled veal steak or beef tagliata
• Neapolitan ragù or meat-based sauces
• Aged or semi-aged cheeses
• Stews and braises with aromatic herbs

Served at a temperature of approximately 16-18°C (60-64°F), it best expresses its finesse and structure.

Storage and Aging

For those wondering how to store Irpinia Campi Taurasini DOC 'Ion' 2019 - Stefania Barbot wine, the advice is to keep it in a cool place, with a constant temperature around 14-16°C (57-61°F), away from light and heat sources. The bottle should be stored horizontally to keep the cork moist.

Thanks to its good structure and acidity, this wine can evolve for 5-8 years, developing more complex and softer notes over time. For those who love to grasp the vitality of the fruit, it is already a perfectly enjoyable red today, sincere and representative of Stefania Barbot's hand and the Irpinian terroir.