Leonetti Aglianico 2019 (Sommelier Club)

Leonetti Cellar Aglianico 2019 – Walla Walla Valley
A bold and soulful expression of one of Italy’s noblest grapes, Leonetti’s Aglianico captures the volcanic roots of Southern Italy through the lens of Walla Walla terroir—with ripe red fruit, deep tannins, and haunting complexity.

Taste | Penetrating crimson in the glass, this wine opens with intoxicating aromas of sun-ripened blackberries, bramble fruit, figs, leather, tar, and rose petals—laced with root beer and black tea. The palate is defined by luscious, ripe red fruits balanced by full, chalky tannins. Power and elegance walk hand in hand here, finishing with incredible length and depth.

About the Winery/Winemaker | Leonetti Cellar is a cornerstone of Walla Walla Valley winemaking, with winemaker Chris Figgins continuing the legacy started by his great-grandparents, Francesco and Rosa Leonetti, who immigrated from Calabria. Inspired by his Italian roots and a serendipitous encounter with Aglianico in New York, Chris planted this historic variety in their Serra Pedace Vineyard—named after his ancestors’ hometown. This bottling represents the ultimate homage to that lineage and a deep commitment to crafting soulful, age-worthy wines.

Why We Love It | It’s rare to find Aglianico outside Southern Italy, and rarer still to see it executed with this level of nuance and polish. Leonetti’s version marries its Old World soul with New World polish—resulting in a red that is powerful, structured, and endlessly captivating. A true collector’s wine and one of our favorite Leonetti reds since the 2015 vintage.

Technical Wine Notes

• Origin: Walla Walla Valley, Washington

• Varietal: 100% Aglianico

• Fermentation & Aging: 44 months in a mix of terracotta amphorae and new/neutral French oak; 2 additional years in bottle

• Vineyard: Serra Pedace Vineyard

• Alcohol: 14.8% ABV

• Style: Full-bodied, age-worthy, structured red

• Serving: Decant at least 2 hours before serving

• Production Notes: Last-picked fruit of the season, this Aglianico requires extended aging to allow its formidable tannins and acids to integrate fully.