Varvaglione Papale Linea Oro Primitivo di Manduria 2021

Drink it now or cellar for up to 10 years. It is recommended to decant it for half an hour. Located in Leporano, in the Apulian province of Taranto, the Varvaglione winery was founded in 1921 and is now run by the fourth generation of the family. The company, which owns approximately 150 hectares of vineyards and purchases grapes from other trusted local growers, focuses its production on indigenous grape varieties but with a modern approach based on experimentation. Papale Primitivo di Puglia is one of the winery's most iconic labels, produced with Primitivo grapes harvested from the bush-trained vineyards of Contrada Papale, so named because it was once owned by a pope. After harvesting and vinification at a controlled temperature, the wine ages in French tonneaux for at least eight months. The result is a rich, fruit-forward wine that reveals a brilliant, deep red color with violet reflections in the glass. Its aromatic profile is broad and fragrant with fruity notes of blackcurrant, blackberry, and cherry, followed by hints of licorice and cocoa. On the palate, it is concentrated and rich, round and smooth, with a fruity character and soft tannins. The finish is long and persistent, recalling hints of cocoa. Try it with pork belly, spicy grilled sausages, or a tasty beef stew with tomato sauce.