Wines from Puglia

Here comes one of Italy's favourite rosati: bright salmon pink, with a nose of peach, berries and hints of cherry. The flavourful finish is crisp and fruity. The "Anniversario" comes from vines that are around 50 years old and is the house's top Rosato. It was vinified for the first time in 1993 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Five Roses. SUPERIORE.DE

"Light baby pink with silver-coloured reflections. Elegant on the nose with notes of currant and blueberry, plus spicy notes. Fresh, precise and with compact fruit on the palate, juicy and powerful through to the lingering finish." Falstaff

Medium-bodied ruby red. On the nose, rich, dark berry fruit, forest floor and hints of chocolate. On the palate, it spreads softly and creamily, flanked by fresh berry aromas and a taut acidity that forms a wonderful harmony with the fruit and tannin. A drop full of character from an almost extinct, autochthonous grape variety. SUPERIORE.DE

Zecca's Primitivo from old vineyards is characterised by elegance and refinement, without the outrageous fullness of extract often found in Puglia. The bouquet opens with smoked spices, sausage, tobacco and candied fruit. Beautiful mineral nuances on the palate, a fine fruity texture and silky, extract-sweet tannins. SUPERIORE.DE

Our price-performance favourite at a high level: pure and juicy Primitivo with a shimmering purple, dark ruby red colour and the scent of cherries soaked in alcohol, chocolate and hazelnut. The full, warm and well-structured flavour has good length and pleasing, slightly sweet tannins. SUPERIORE.DE

"Ruby red with brightening edges. Forest berries and pomegranate on the nose, some dried thyme and rooibos. Initially light-footed on the palate, with fresh fruit and good juiciness, showing grippy tannins and fine spice on the finish." Falstaff

Conti Zecca's Liranu from Negroamaro shows typicity and refinement. The bouquet opens with smoked spices, sausage, tobacco and candied fruit. Beautiful mineral nuances on the palate, a fine fruity texture and silky, finely woven tannins. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bark, mocha, dates and chocolate on the nose. Full-bodied with nicely soft and plummy tannins and a tasty, chocolatey finish." James Suckling

Golden yellow with greenish reflections. Extremely pleasant aroma of ripe peach, elderflower, meadow flowers and warm cedar wood. Soft, supple and long in flavour, carried by a fresh acidity and subtle fruit sweetness. SUPERIORE.DE

"A richly spicy, full-bodied white showing cloves, chamomile, aniseed and dried mango on the nose. It’s layered, dense and oily in texture, with bright acidity to balance." James Suckling

Primitivo Felline smells of ripe berries, flowers, figs and sultanas. Its distinctly dense flavour is carried by present but sweet tannins and a fresh, tart plum finish. The classic of the winery. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red with a dark core. Initially mingled notes of sealing wax and beetroot on the nose, plus some malt, reverberating with milk chocolate. On the palate with lots of tannin and open-hearted fruit, reminiscent of pineapple, ferruginous, precise." Falstaff

The Negroamaro grapes for the extremely delicate Calafuria come from vineyards that stretch along the Adriatic coast in Salento. The region boasts a long tradition of producing rosé wines from Negroamaro, a grape variety that best expresses its potential near the sea. Pale pink in colour, the bouquet has fruity citrus notes of grapefruit and orange blossom and hints of jasmine. Pleasantly fresh on the palate with excellent aromatic persistence and a delicate flavour. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, sparkling apricot colour. Very fragrant and expressive nose of fresh apricots, raspberries and white flowers, also has some citrus fruit, light milk chocolate on the finish. Juicy, clear and accessible on the palate, with a dancing interplay of fruit and acidity, precise, with good length, accessible." Falstaff

"The 2023 Rosato Calafuria is simultaneously energetic and creamy, with a natural balance between tart stone fruit, ripe berries and round, almost smoky notes of candle wax and lanolin. Salty and addictive, I find myself reaching for the bottle again and again. A nice hint of mint lingers at the end. Delicious." Vinous

"The nose is all summery indulgence with watermelon and cherry blossom, cut with the freshness of pink grapefruit and salt. The palate leans into that citrusy salinity, while acid bursts overhead like a fireworks spectacular, to create a fizzy, undeniably delightful wine." Wine Enthusiast

Sparkling dark ruby red in colour, this rich Primitivo has a balsamic aroma of dark fruits, graphite and cherries. Lots of fruit on the palate, balanced and with a lovely length. SUPERIORE.DE

"Gently shining ruby with a garnet-red touch. Elegant bouquet of dark plum, cigar box and dark chocolate. Compact on the palate with ripe fruit, chocolate again, grippy tannins." Falstaff

Medium ruby red colour. Sweet and spicy aromas of raspberry, milk chocolate, red cherry, orange zest and violets. Complex and juicy, with very soft tannins, high but harmonious acidity and beautiful generosity and elegance to the red cherry, savoury and floral aromas. A deep, rich and yet very clear wine with supple tannins that are wonderfully harmonious after a short aeration. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, strong ruby red colour. Aromas of dark berries, herbs and forest floor on the nose. Present, fine tannins on the palate, light, pleasant fruit sweetness and a lingering, spicy final." Falstaff

"A fragrant version, showing notes of espresso, cured tobacco and dark chocolate, this creamy red layers supple tannins with flavors of baked cherry and plum fruit. Balanced, with a spiced finish." Wine Spectator

Under the name Askos, Li Veli summarises a project in which long-forgotten, indigenous grape varieties are rediscovered and cultivated on the ideal terroir selected for them. Pale yellow in colour with green reflections. Intense fruity aromas of tropical fruits, citrus fruits, pears and fresh spices on the nose. The palate is full, balanced with good acidity. Fruity, mineral and mildly spicy aftertaste. An exciting and dry Apulian white wine with a lovely length that you absolutely must try! SUPERIORE.DE

Under the name Askos, Li Veli summarises a project in which long-forgotten, indigenous grape varieties are rediscovered and cultivated on the ideal terroir selected for them. The red Susumaniello grape is said to originate from the nearby Dalmatian coast and is one of the most exciting grape varieties in Puglia today, even though it is rarely vinified as a single variety.

The Susumaniello Askos is a solid red wine with a rich bouquet of red cherries, plums, dark spices and red earth. These warm flavours combine with a medium intensity and full, round fruit to create an extroverted style that is both soft and pleasantly fruity. Tradition meets modernity - very successful! SUPERIORE.DE

"A fresh, chewy red, offering a brambly mix of mulberry and black raspberry fruit, dried sage and thyme, smoke, vanilla and milled pepper. Medium-bodied, with its light, pleasing plumpness carrying the profile on the finish." Wine Spectator

Selvarossa has been Cantine Due Palme's top wine for well over 30 years: deep red, sweet tobacco and fruit aromas on the nose, intense and generous on the palate with flavours of dark berries, plums and chocolate, supple and fresh at the same time, plenty of density and bite on the finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Ripe plums, dried cherries, dried flowers, herbs, spices and wet earth. Full-bodied with spiced, succulent fruit and fine tannins. Vibrant and fruit-forward, with a dark-fruited finish." James Suckling

Dark, rich ruby colour with violet shimmer. Finely characterised, appealing nose with notes of roses and dark cherries, fine spice in the background. Smooth on the palate, shows plenty of dark berry fruit, opens up with polished tannins, fine sweet melting flavour, chocolate final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark ruby red with violet reflections. Ripe wild berries, some honey and beeswax on the nose, also subtly reminiscent of apricots and aniseed. Makes room on the palate, shows firm pressure and juicy berry fruit, fresh and exciting, then a little rough and warming on the final." Falstaff

"This refined red wine has a dark core of ripe black plums, mulberries and sun-dried black cherries, supported by a lively acidity. Medium-bodied and balanced, with a fruit profile that is surrounded by fine, taut tannins and notes of bay leaf, black liquorice, minerals and sandalwood." Wine Spectator

Ruby-violet colour, powerful, accessible aroma with notes of plums and raspberries, very inviting. Discreet spicy aromas on the palate, opens with powerful, gripping tannin, long final. SUPERIORE.DE

Top Apulian wine from 60 to 70-year-old vines! Zinfandel Sinfarosa Terra Nera offers a bouquet of overripe fruit and tobacco with a captivatingly fresh yet dense flavour with lovely tannins and good persistence. SUPERIORE.DE

"Deep dark ruby-red centre with a brightening rim. A medicinal nose of iodine and varnish, with preserved cherries. Lush fruit on the palate, with a very juicy finish, well-integrated tannins, harmonious and of beautiful length." Falstaff

"Lots of chile and chocolate character to this medium-bodied primitivo, blending in with clean red fruit to give a tasty palate with velvety tannins and long-lasting interest. From organically grown grapes. Old-style feel to this, but fun to drink now." James Suckling

Cinquanta+ (fifty+) or in this case rather fifty/fifty, because it consists of equal parts of Primitivo and Negroamaro. Concentrated ruby garnet, opulent scent of overripe dark fruits and sweet oak barrel, very substantial texture on the palate. There is nothing subtle in this drop; simply full throttle from start to finish. And a powerful drinking pleasure! SUPERIORE.DE

The organically grown Castel del Monte Trentangeli is a "super Apulian" blend of 70% Aglianico, 20% Cabernet and 10% Syrah. A compelling and captivating wine with beautiful tones of damp earth and terracotta, followed by luscious ripe fruit, spices, bacon, blackberry jam, candied plums, rum cake and Indian spices. The wine shows an international flavour with lovely layers of oak that are well integrated. On the final, stately, soft tannins and a considerable length with a fine spicy note. Great! SUPERIORE.DE

"An elegant, round red wine with a medium body and a juicy blend of plump cherry, raspberry pulp, orange peel acidity and accents of graphite and garrigue. The finish is tightened by supple tannins." Wine Spectator

"The 2019 Trentangeli is dusty and floral in the glass with a dark mix of crushed wild berries and violette pastilles. It is soft and round with a tantalising, balancing acidity. Crisp red and black fruits spill over a core of savoury minerals. It leaves a web of fine-grained tannins that envelop the palate with youthful serenity. Tart red plums and a hint of sour citrus fruit mingle on the finish. The Trentangeli is very beautiful." Vinous

Negroamaro "F" stands for Falò (bonfire). And that's what it is! Black-red colour, surprising intensity of aromatic richness, ripe black berries, cherry jam, thyme, dark chocolate and cocoa. The flavour is also very dense and full-bodied with silky tannins and a very long, aromatic finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Roasted mushrooms, olives, baked black fruit and gravy on the nose. It’s full-bodied, lightly jammy and sweet-savory in character with well-integrated tannins. Mushroom notes linger." James Suckling

Sessantanni (60 years old) comes from vines at least as old and impresses with a deep garnet red colour and visibly high concentration. The bouquet is reminiscent of a rum pot, with beautiful primary and secondary aromas of black fruit and woody spice. The palate is dense, smooth, jammy and gently tannic. Long and sweet on the finish. Unique in its opulence and density and undisputedly one of Puglia's favourite reds. SUPERIORE.DE

"This bold and rich wine has intense aromas of mushrooms, currants, roasted cherries and cinnamon. It’s full-bodied with herbal undertones to the dried-fruit sweetness. Medium-chewy tannins match the flavor intensity." James Suckling

Pietrabianca offers a contrast between richness and freshness and seduces with a blend of white flowers, almond paste, wet stone and crushed red pears. Silky and supple, it caresses the palate with an elegant wave of ripe peach and nectarine. Lingers long, leaving a mineral and acidic tension as notes of candied lime fade. Not only is it stunning today, but it has a bright future. SUPERIORE.DE

"Intense straw yellow with sparkling reflections. Yellow peach, banana and orange blossom on the nose, with a subtle aftertaste of roasted almonds, cocoa butter and flint. Smooth on the palate, with a fine fruity flavour and subtle spiciness, soft and balanced, with a fine woody aroma and a certain saltiness on the final." Falstaff

"Fresh and graceful, with delicate notes of glazed apples, apricots and mandarins, with fragrant hints of macadamia nuts, honeysuckle and vanilla. Clean and slightly salty on the finish." Wine Spectator

"Lemon curd, honeysuckle, chopped apples and pears on the nose, plus some vanilla. It’s soft and creamy with medium to full body and pretty floral influences." James Suckling

Gioia del Colle is an Italian municipality near Bari and probably the most famous DOC for Primitivo wines. The wines from this appellation embody a straightforward, fresh style and are far removed from the usual jammy suspects. The vines here grow at altitudes of up to 450 metres above sea level, the nights are cooler here than elsewhere in Apulia and the wines have a racier, tighter style and more structure than their namesakes.

Colpo di Zappa is a beautifully articulated Primitivo that brings out the fruity richness of Puglia and the intensity of the dark fruit, but all with appropriate intensity. This is no easy task for a region where the ripening of the grapes is never a problem. The trick is to allow the ripening to proceed slowly in order to preserve the wine's more subtle nuances. Dark fruit with earthy tones of dusty terracotta and beetroot in the background, plus aromas of tar and liquorice. Solid and firm on the palate with flavours of dark cherries, wild roses and cassis. A terrificexample of Primitivo off the beaten track and anything but undemanding. SUPERIORE.DE

"Very spicy, almost peppery fruit notes on the nose that expand into juicy blackcurrants on the palate, with the peppery note persisting. Medium to full-bodied with very fine tannins that coat the lips and tongue and a bright and fruity finish." James Suckling