Wines from Puglia

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

Dense wine with ripe, red fruit on the nose, rich cherry flavour, fine wood and leather notes, spicy. Juicy on the palate with tightly woven tannins, opens up on ripe fruit, slightly salty undertone, long final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Medium ruby colour with a garnet-red rim. Spicy nose of cayenne pepper, sweet cherry and black plum, a touch of leather. Polished on the palate, with a pleasant fruity flavour, rich, balanced and with a good flow." Falstaff

"Pomegranate, tea leaf, chocolate and wet earth on the nose. Juicy, sleek and nicely mellowed, with medium body and a creamy, tasty finish." James Suckling

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

"62 Anniversario" delights all the senses ... Deep dark colour, highly appetising bouquet with aromas of pomegranate, blackcurrant and a hint of cocoa butter. The palate is enveloped by expressive fruit in the purest harmony and fullness, fine tannins and a silky texture. The grapes from very old vines and the additional six months of ageing in barriques give the Primitivo Riserva incredible density, expressiveness and depth. A parade wine for all those who like it richer in extracts! SUPERIORE.DE

"A spiced nose of dark berries, smoked herbs and hints of mushrooms and moist earth. Full-bodied, dense and plush, with firm tannins and rich, almost sweet berry character." 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

Puer Apuliae (son of Apulia) is what the De Coratos call their elegant and outstanding quality wine made from 100% Nero di Troia. The flagship in the cellar delights with its balsamic aroma, in which there is room for spices, plums, pickled nuts and black sultanas. The flavour is very concentrated yet juicy, full-bodied and dense, with a long finish and a lovely hint of cranberries and tobacco. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, bright ruby red with a slightly brightening rim. Eucalyptus, cranberry, redcurrant and orange peel on the nose, with a hint of spice on the finish. Very fresh on the palate, salty and with fine-meshed tannins, cranberry is clearly evident, just as good length with a slight aftertaste. The bottle ageing has done it good." Falstaff

"Mulberries, figs, cinnamon stick, cedar and dried herbs on the nose. Savory, chewy and spicy, full-bodied, with excellent flavor concentration. Firm, dusty tannins." 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

"Sliced oranges, figs and strawberries on the nose, as well as molasses. It’s full-bodied, soft and ripe with a juicy finish. Nicely done." James Suckling

Charismatic Negroamaro in an accessible and modern style without gimmickry. In the glass, dark lines of blackberries, plums and blackcurrants with generous background notes of chocolate, Indian spices, teriyaki and smoky barbecue sauce. Noble tannins and ripe fruit flavours form a wine that is both contoured and soft and yielding. Masseria Maime is ready to drink at a young age, but can safely mature for another five years or more. SUPERIORE.DE

"The nose features an unusual duo of vanilla and dill, with undertones of meat, plums and wood. On the palate, the sweeter notes of plum and vanilla blossom continue, with the woodsy herbaceousness lingering in the background. Relaxed tannins create a round texture." Wine Enthusiast

Per Lui Rosso is a complex, spicy red with aromas of red and black cherries, flowers, sweet spices and tobacco. On the palate, this rare red displays a cosy breadth and beautiful fruit. 100% Ottavianello. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby colour with a fine garnet sheen. Opens with notes of cinnamon and milk chocolate, then rich plum, some wild raspberry. A little austere and austere on the palate, showing fresh acidity, but also clearly drying tannins, not long-lasting on the final." Falstaff

Orion is a very special Primitivo, always fresh and with remarkable persistence. Dense ruby red with a violet rim, the nose has intense aromas of ripe and fleshy red cherries, followed by spicy notes such as cinnamon and nutmeg. Powerful, smooth and very long in the mouth. Its clearly defined acid wire makes it fresh and pleasantly different from the sweet, jammy Primitivo monotony that is otherwise all too often on offer. SUPERIORE.DE

"The nose is simultaneously weighty, fresh and elegant, with aromas of black cherry, blackberry and dark chocolate, along with undertones of orange peel and stone. All of those notes reappear on a palate which is bitter, but friendly, as acid soars overhead." Wine Enthusiast

Deep purple-red colour, distinctive bouquet that does not deny the Apulian home of the Susumaniello and enchants us with a stimulating freshness. Hints of ripe black cherries and fine spicy notes on the palate, dense, harmonious, long-lasting and with beautifully integrated tannins. An original, rustic flavour experience! SUPERIORE.DE

"Intense, impenetrable ruby red colour. Aromas of black fruit unfold on the nose, accompanied by hints of cocoa, tobacco and leather. Fresh on the palate, with dense, sweet tannins and a long, fruity finish." Falstaff

Deep dark ruby red. On the nose, complex aromas of dark fruits, espresso, liquorice and herbal notes. Very classically taut on the palate, with finely honed tannins and a fresh, bright acid wire. An Apulian classic as it is written in the textbook. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich hints of tarry smoke and toast on the nose underscore baked strawberry and plum fruit flavors in this robust, full-bodied red. Tightly-knit and fresh, a stemmy touch of dried herb lingers on the grippy finish." Wine Spectator

"Aromas of nicely baked berries, dark plums, dried leaves and a twist of red dates and fine, savory cocoa beans. Full-bodied and lightly spicy with very compact, powdery tannins. Slightly bittersweet and savory in finish. Very tight now, but shows impressive tannin quantity and quality." James Suckling

Great Apulian aroma cinema of black cherries, dark berries, caramel, lovage, leather and toast notes. Just as typical on the palate: full, lush, very concentrated and with multilayered, sweet fruit in the long juicy finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark shining ruby red. Expressive on the nose, of cherry syrup and dried tomatoes, sage and mint, plus fine floral hints. On the palate with a creamy, melting entry, plus plenty of grippy tannin, punchy, savoury on clear fruit on the final." Falstaff

The grapes from vines over 35 years old give this dense Primitivo strength and finesse. Deep dark in colour, the bouquet has strong nuances of sour cherry, ripe plum and dark jam, with chocolate and coffee aromas in the background. The pronounced fruity flavours continue in the full-bodied taste. Soft and sweetly melting, balanced and long. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, bright ruby red colour. Fragrant on the nose with fine hints of milk chocolate and malt, dried rose petal, rich cherry fruit and strawberry, tobacco. On the palate with grippy tannins, deep and rich." Falstaff

Nero has been one of Puglia's most interesting and sophisticated wines for many years: this dark ruby red wine is full of cherry and blackberry flavours with a hint of vanilla and tobacco. On the palate, it is spicy with elegant tannins and good structure and impresses with its extraordinary depth and personality. SUPERIORE.DE

"A rich and warming red with aromas of orange rind, mulberries, hot chocolate and spiced cherries. Full-bodied, ripe and mellow, with velvety tannins and a caressing finish." James Suckling

An impenetrably dense ruby red colour, the nose is dominated by a variety of ripe fruit aromas of sour cherry and black berries. The herbal flavours typical of the Negroamaro variety, its lively acidity and sweet tannins are well interwoven. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark ruby red with brightening edges. Intense aroma of ripe plums, blackberries and sweet tobacco, cloves. Medium structure on the palate, fine fruit flavour and well-integrated tannins, lingering, fruity final." Falstaff

"The nose balances aromas of rich, dark berries with a fresh, medicinal herbaceousness, while overtones of pepper and cola provide sparkle. The interplay between fruit and herbs continues on the palate, before a chocolatey finish that's framed by firm but round tannins and a strong ripple of acid." Wine Enthusiast

The grapes for "del Fondatore" are harvested from historic Apulian Alberello vineyards in the Cellino San Marco region, which were planted in 1968 and are personally tended by President Angelo Maci. The carefully selected Primitivo and Aglianico grapes are harvested by hand in crates. Some of the grapes are dried in a well-ventilated drying room, and the high concentration of juice inside the grapes gives it extra body and an excellent structure. This exceptional wine, whose labels are numbered consecutively, matures for 9 months in new barriques and is further refined before being released in the bottle.

Deep, elegant wine with an intense red colour with violet reflections. The bouquet is complex and of great finesse, revealing almost explosive notes of roasted coffee, ripe cherries and plums, combined with woody and spicy vanilla notes. On the palate, it is harmonious and velvety, with delicate tannins, full-bodied and with the typical characteristics of grapes dried using the appassimento method. 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. 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

Deep dark ruby with radiant edge. Animating bouquet of red berries, cherries and exotic herbal spices. On the palate a captivating tension between extract sweetness, acidity and a surprisingly cool fruit component, which gives this exceptional wine an impressive personality and elegance. Blindly tasted, this red wine would hardly be identified as a typical Primitivo di Manduria - here the team around Gregory Perrucci has succeeded in creating a great wine! SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, bright garnet red. Tender nose, ripe raspberries, some pomegranate. Smooth and round on the palate, unfolds with unexpected elegance, fine-meshed tannin, reverberates for a long time. Falstaff

"Very pale and sweet and charming. Very Pinot-esque – quite different from other wines. Red cherries and ripeness. 2010 saw lots of sirocco and bigger grapes and high yields. Lisa Gilbee admires his courage and experimentation. The fact that the wine was on the skins for so long may have reabsorbed the colour – a technique usually used for Nebbiolo." Jancis Robinson

"Good deep, bright red. Sexy red cherry, iron, violet, earth tones, and Asian spices on the captivating nose, with a mineral component building with air. Sweet and plush but with penetrating, harmonious laser-like acidity really lifting and extending the red cherry, sweet spice, and floral flavors. A beauty, finishing long and smooth as silk; so light on its feet it is almost Pinot Noiresque. This was the first vintage ever of this wine, created to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first ever Primitivo made by Felline; it has been made only a second time since, in the 2016 vintage." Vinous

The grapes for the Vigna Pedale come from vines that are over 30 years old. The vines are planted in a sapling system, which allows only a few grapes per vine. The harvest does not begin until mid-October, which is very unusual for this location so far south. Purple dark red colour. Spicy aroma of cherries, thyme, wild mushrooms and earth, the typical, unadulterated flavour is strong and concentrated with a subtle sweetness. This wine is already a great pleasure today, but still has potential for the coming years. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby colour with a fine garnet sheen. Opens with a bouquet of spices, lots of cloves, cardamom and bay leaf, then dark blackberry fruit, some dark olive paste. Characterised by grippy tannins on the palate, fine cherry fruit." Falstaff

"Rippling dark cherry, pomegranate and redcurrant aromas offset by a lifted fennel and mint energy which spills out over the lively acidity and dark chocolate tannins. Textbook." Decanter