Capitanio Brindisi Riserva is a Brindisi DOC Rosso Riserva red wine from Puglia, Italy, bottled at 12.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 93 points by Italian critic Luca Maroni and a 90-point Gold Medal from Gilbert & Gaillard, this Riserva bottling demonstrates the depth that extended aging draws from southern Italian grape varieties. Quick Facts: ABV: 12.5% | Origin: Brindisi DOC, Puglia, Italy | Riserva | Producer: Casa Vinicola Botter Production & Heritage Casa Vinicola Botter is a family-owned winery founded in 1928 by Carlo and Maria Botter, headquartered in Fossalta di Piave near Venice. The Brindisi Riserva is built on a blend of Negroamaro, Sangiovese, and Malvasia grapes sourced from the warm, sun-drenched vineyards of the Brindisi appellation in Puglia. The wine spends 12 months maturing in oak barrels before an additional three to four years of bottle aging, a regimen that softens tannins and develops significant complexity before release. Tasting Notes Aroma: The nose opens with warm, inviting waves of ripe cherries and dried apricot. Bay leaves, cedar, and a subtle toasty quality emerge with time in the glass, adding herbal and savory dimension. Taste: The entry is silky yet thick-textured, with cherry and plum flavors anchoring the mid-palate. Orange zest, root spices, and fennel weave through the fruit, while notes of pipe tobacco and fine liquorice develop toward the peak, giving the wine a layered, contemplative quality. Finish: The finish is long and warming, with lingering blackberry, cedar, and gentle toast. Tannins are well-integrated after years of bottle age, leaving a smooth, spice-tinged conclusion. How to Drink Brindisi Riserva This wine benefits most from being served at 16–18°C (61–64°F) in a large-bowled glass; decanting for 30 minutes will further open its aromatic layers. A Negroni Sbagliato works well here, as the wine's dark fruit and spice hold up against the bitter Campari and sweet vermouth. A simple Kalimotxo (red wine and cola over ice) plays off the cherry-cola profile for a casual warm-weather drink. A red wine Sangria loaded with stone fruits and cinnamon echoes the wine's natural dried-fruit and spice character. Best For Dinner parties centered on Italian regional cuisine Gifting a red-wine lover who appreciates southern Italian wines Building a collection of Puglia DOC expressions Pairing with hearty autumn and winter roasts Frequently Asked Questions What does Brindisi Riserva taste like? The dominant profile is rich dark cherry and plum layered with orange zest, fennel, pipe tobacco, and fine liquorice. Extended oak and bottle aging lend a silky, thick texture with well-integrated tannins and a cedary, toasty finish. How does Brindisi Riserva compare to Salice Salentino Riserva? Both are Negroamaro-driven DOC Riserva wines from Puglia, but Brindisi Riserva typically incorporates Sangiovese and Malvasia in the blend, adding a brighter fruit lift and aromatic complexity. Salice Salentino Riserva often leans darker and more tannic, with heavier concentration of Negroamaro character. Is Brindisi Riserva good for sipping neat? Yes — the combination of 12 months in oak and three to four years of bottle maturation produces a smooth, approachable wine that rewards slow, contemplative drinking without requiring further cellaring. Where is Brindisi Riserva made? The grapes are grown in the Brindisi DOC appellation of Puglia in southeastern Italy, a region known for warm Mediterranean climate and Negroamaro-dominant red wines. It is produced by Casa Vinicola Botter, a family winery founded in 1928 near Venice. What foods pair well with Brindisi Riserva? Slow-braised lamb shank mirrors the wine's rich spice and dark fruit. Orecchiette with sausage ragù complements its Puglian roots and fennel notes. Aged pecorino cheese echoes the wine's savory, toasty qualities. Grilled eggplant parmigiana works with its silky texture and herbal aromatics. Dark chocolate desserts highlight the liquorice and cedar on the finish. What sizes does Brindisi Riserva come in? Capitanio Brindisi Riserva is available in the standard 750ml bottle format. Is Brindisi Riserva worth the price? This wine positions as a mid-range Puglia DOC Riserva, and its 93-point Luca Maroni score and Gilbert & Gaillard gold medal indicate strong critical recognition at its price tier. The extensive aging regimen — over four years total before release — adds genuine value relative to many competitors at comparable levels. Why Brindisi Riserva? The defining feature of this bottling is its aging protocol: 12 months in oak followed by three to four years of bottle maturation, a commitment that few wines at this price tier receive. That patience translates directly into a polished, complex wine where tannins have fully resolved and secondary flavors — tobacco, cedar, liquorice — have emerged naturally. Recognition from both Luca Maroni (93 points) and Gilbert & Gaillard (90-point Gold Medal) confirms its quality across different critical palates. For anyone exploring the depth that Puglia's Negroamaro-based wines can achieve with proper aging, this Riserva is a credible and rewarding example of the Brindisi DOC at its most serious.
