WinemakingFrom a blend of rigorously selected Negroamaro grapes, with a touch of Malvasia Nera to add complexity and elegance. The grapes are hand harvested from the Giardinalli vineyard on Vallone's Iore estate in San Pancrazio Salentino, where deep chalk-clay soils predominate. Here the vines are on average 40 years' old and trained in the traditional bush system known as 'alberello' as well as 'spalliera'. Grapes are crushed and given 70 hours skin contact; free run juice and soft pressing only. The wine is matured for 8 months in 50 hectolitre Slavonian oak casks and filtered using natural decantation / refrigeration methods before bottling.Tasting NoteThe nose is ripe and spicy with herbal notes and hints of liquorice and raisins. Good concentration of wild plum and black fruit characters, nicely balanced by fresh acidity and a hint of bitterness, typical of the Negroamaro grape.Food MatchThe perfect accompaniment to Italian tomato pasta dishes. Also great with red meats, such as hot roast beef and grain mustard, or perhaps a bean and lentil casserole.
