Located in Montesarchio at the foot of Monte Taburno in Benevento, Campania, Masseria Frattasi has been producing wine since 1779. Today, the estate is run by Pasquale Clemente and his family who farm their vineyards with the utmost care and respect for nature and tradition. The estate consists of 30 hectares of vineyards grown between 500-920 meters (plus 10 hectares of ancient olive groves) mostly in the mountain wilderness of Montesarchio, though they also farm vineyards in Anacapri and Baselice. The estate is blessed with some of the oldest vineyards in Campania — many of which predate phylloxera — which Pasquale uses as genetic material for new vineyards, improving the quality of their vines while also saving many historic cultivars from extinction.

Masseria Frattasi's Caudium is 100% Aglianico grown in clay-limestone soils at altitudes between 920 and 1,574 feet, fermented in stainless steel and aged in second-use French oak barrels. The wine's name, Caudium, is the ancient capital city of Sanmium (present day Montesarchio), which defeated the Roman Army during the Second Samnite War in 321 BCE; this wine, supposedly, was the drink of the Samnite people! In the glass, Caudium shows a brilliant deep ruby color with explosive aromas of blackberries, blueberries, plums, earth and savory herbs. The palate showcases the power of Aglianico with firm, mouthcoating tannins balanced by a vibrant acidity and strong concentration of ripe fruit flavors complemented by just the right amount of oak. Frattasi's Caudium is a powerful mountain wine for sure, though there is restraint, harmony and balance that endow it with a familiarity for anyone who loves Italian or other full-body rustic wines. A perfect accompaniment to rich meat dishes!