The Italy Wine Project

Regions / Puglia

DOCGStill huntingModerate

Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva DOCG

The blended riserva sibling of the Nero di Troia DOCG: Nero di Troia leads but Montepulciano or Aglianico can round out the wine. Expect dark cherry, plum, dried violet, clove and a tarry, earthy undertone, with fuller mid palate than the pure Nero di Troia version and slightly softer tannin. Rivera's Il Falcone has been the benchmark since the 1970s and remains one of Puglia's most consistent cellar candidates.

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Bottles I'm chasing

ProducerWinePriceBuy
Rivera
Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva 'Il Falcone'
Nero di Troia with a dose of Montepulciano, black plum, leather, tobacco and licorice, firm tannins that reward five to fifteen years.
$25 to $32Wine-Searcher
Torrevento
Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva 'Vigna Pedale'
Single vineyard Nero di Troia riserva, blackberry, black pepper and dried herb, the everyday choice for the category.
$18 to $25Wine-Searcher
Cocevola
Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva
Andria estate with a modern, ripe style, mulberry and cocoa over fine tannin; scarce in the US, seen at specialist retailers.
$20 to $28Wine-Searcher