Wines from Puglia

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 hue, surprising intensity of aromatic richness, ripe black berries, cherry jam, thyme, dark chocolate and cocoa. Also very dense and full-bodied on the palate with silky tannin and a very long, aromatic finish. SUPERIORE.DE

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

"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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 red with a drop of violet. On the nose with nuances of Amarena cherries, beetroot, also with great spice, like mustard seed, after a little time then on noble wood nuances, appears stony. Clear juiciness on the palate, with plenty of fruit at the core, cool finish, balanced and with race, firm pressure on the final." Falstaff

"The nose is warm, sweet and savory, as aromas of strawberry rhubarb pie waft above a foundation of fresh brewed coffee and earth. The palate leans into that subtle sweetness, with milk chocolate and more coffee grounding wild cherry and strawberry flavors, against flexible tannins and a persistent stream of acid." Wine Enthusiast

"On the nose, smoky spice notes to the ripe raspberries with hints of roasted chestnuts and dried herbs. Medium to full-bodied with fine, slightly dry tannins and a bright bead of plum skin and raspberry fruit that combine for a tight, fruity finish. Lasting. Flavourful and entertaining." 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

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

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

"The nose of this wine exudes potting soil and pencil shavings, with quieter aromas of cherries, strawberries and a brief hint of violets; on the palate, the berries and petals are given more space, carried by structured tannins and plenty of acidity and warmth." Wine Enthusiast

"Delivers a beam of cherry reduction accented by lavish hints of licorice and vanilla, all wrapped around a core of grippy tannins. This firm, fresh red is medium-bodied overall, showing a savory side toward the finish, with notes of tobacco, coffee and mineral." Wine Spectator

Se is a pure Primitivo, from somewhat younger vines than the Es and is the youthful-fresh, but no less elegant counterpart to the Es. Se smells very aromatic of cherry, strawberry and maple blossom. Modern style on the palate, juicy texture, all components fascinatingly coordinated, long and lively. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark bright ruby red with a slightly lightening rim. Intense nose of ripe plums and blueberries, black elderberries, Mediterranean herbs, reverberating with cinnamon and black pepper. On the palate very juicy and with good drinking flow, fine and well integrated tannin, ends on spicy tones in the long final." Falstaff

Brilliant, elegant ruby colour with a delicately brightening rim. Dense and opulent on the nose with aromas of plum liqueur, ripe red cherry, milk chocolate, tobacco, cedar and a hint of cinnamon. Like velvet and silk on the palate, finishing with noble, sweet tannins, a fine salty vein and great length. Quite astonishing splendour and yet never fat or saturating. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling ruby colour with a slightly light rim. Expressive nose with notes of fresh plums, mulberries, blood orange and lots of cloves. Rich, dark berry fruit on the palate, opens with dense tannins in fine layers, again emphasising spicy components on the final." Falstaff

"Flavours of cola, leather, fruit salad and salted chocolate, but on the palate the soft texture and medium body are supported by a refreshing, almost crisp acidity." James Suckling

Bright, rich ruby red colour. Elegant, concentrated bouquet with spicy notes of blackcurrant, chocolate and tobacco. Compact on the palate, excellently structured and very well balanced with noticeable acidity and pleasant tannins. Long and very fruity. A seducer with great elegance and a terrificfinish. All our respect for this great wine from Apulia! SUPERIORE.DE

"Powerful ruby colour with a fine violet sheen. Very intense and appealing nose of ripe blackberries, some blueberries, plus smoke, cloves and cardamom. Lots of fine-grained tannins, coated in fine enamel, firm pressure on the final, rich earthy notes." Falstaff

"A very intensely fruity wine with a multi-layered profile that ranges from sweet blackcurrants to crushed roses, black cherries and a hint of spice. On the palate, it is dry to semi-dry, full-bodied, soft and supple. For its opulence and moderate acidity, it is easy to drink. A polished yet warming finish." James Suckling

This is how Aglianico from Apulia goes: Star Oenologist Renzo Cotarella and his team impress with their quality offensive in the extremely dense and very complex Bocca di Lupo. Deep dark colour and just as aromas of liquorice, tar, black cherries and berries. Tightly woven tannins and a lively acidity give the wine power and potential for a little eternity. One of the greatest red wines of southern Italy! SUPERIORE.DE

"Fresh and harmonious, with a frame of fine-grained tannins creating plush texture for concentrated flavors of ripe black cherry, dried sage leaf, iron and ground anise and white pepper, which echo on the long, sculpted finish." Wine Spectator

Light yellow in colour with greenish reflections. On the nose, it captivates with aromas of white peaches, broom blossom and orange blossom; floral and persistent mineral notes are accompanied by sweet hints of hazelnuts and vanilla. On the palate, it is opulent and refined, yet fresh, mineral and of marvellous depth and complexity. One of the great white wines of southern Italy that will continue to develop brilliantly. SUPERIORE.DE

"Aromas of glazed apples, lemon pith, walnuts and light spices. Medium- to full-bodied with vivid acidity and a fresh, fruity character. Creamy and a little nutty at the end." James Suckling