The Italy Wine Project

Regions / Puglia

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Salice Salentino DOC

The flagship Negroamaro appellation and the most exported DOC in Puglia, thanks to Leone de Castris, Taurino and Cantele riservas that have anchored US Italian lists for decades. The rosso is garnet tinged, with dried cherry, plum, tobacco, bay leaf, carob and a characteristic bitter finish (the grape's name is often read as 'black bitter'), medium bodied with moderate tannin and modest acidity. Riservas spend two years aging and pick up leather, fig and balsamic notes; the best drink well for a decade and cost under 25 dollars.

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Bottles I'm chasing

ProducerWinePriceBuy
Leone de Castris
Salice Salentino Riserva
The house that invented Salento rosato also makes the standard bearer riserva, dried cherry, leather, tobacco and bitter almond; Kobrand-era import now via Frederick Wildman.
$14 to $18Wine-Searcher
Cantele
Salice Salentino Riserva
Slightly riper and plusher, black plum, cocoa and dried herbs, very consistent and a fixture on US shelves.
$13 to $17Wine-Searcher
Cosimo Taurino
Salice Salentino Riserva
Old school and savory, dried fig, tar and earthy tannin, from the estate that also makes the cult Patriglione; the traditionalist's choice.
$13 to $18Wine-Searcher