Alpha Box & Dice, 'Xola' Aglianico 2018

Immediate nose of beetroot juice poured over graphite shavings sets you up for quite a journey. The palate shares the same dense minerality and graphite texture as the nose with a quiet but growing presence of forest floor and frozen berries. On opening, this fruit thaws to release fresh summer pudding and cream served in a pencil case. Bonkers!

The Xola is our study on duality in wine. In the South American Andes the concept of Yanatin abounds with the indigenous people adhering to a philosophical model based in what is often referred to as a dualism of complementary terms or, simply, acomplementary dualism. As William Blake says, Opposition is true friendship¦ The opposites of existence, dark/light, male/female, inner/outer are viewed as interdependent and essential parts of a harmonious whole. Tannin is the dark; the masculine¦ in its youth Aglianico (ahl-YAH-nee-ko) certainly has it's fair share of tannin heft and muscle, requiring an extended time in seasoned oak barrels to relax, become comfortable with itself and display the harmonious characters we seek.

This wine is suitable for consumption by Vegetarians and Vegans.