Apulia

Made from the Negroamaro grape in the heel of Italy's boot.  Purple/ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice; dusty with cherries, tobacco, black pepper and anise.  Nice texture.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, flavors of black cherries with some chocolate and slight anise on the long finish.  This is nice on its own but better with food.  It needs full bodied food at this point and would work well with Orecchiette in a heavy sauce.  Drink over the next eight to twelve years.  

This is made from Primitivo grapes which is a close relative of Zinfandel in Apulia, Italy (the heel of the boot).  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with raspberries, cherries, bramble, orange peel and black pepper.  Soft texture.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black and red raspberries with a touch of milk chocolate.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This drinks well on its own but would be better with food.  A great choice for Pizza night.  Drink over the next few years.

This is a red from Apulia (Puglia) which is the heel of the boot of Italy.  The grape is Uva di Troia called Nero di Troia locally.  13.5% abv.  Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  A really interesting nose with raisins and baking spices but also raspberries and a bit of wild herbs.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  A good backbone of acidity.  On the palate, rhubarb, cranberries and toasted herbs.  This is a wine made for food.  It will work well with roasted meats (and even veggies).  Drink over the next few years.  

Tormaresca is an Antinori winery in Apulia in southern Italy.

This is a blend of 90% Negro Amaro and 10% Malvasia from Puglia, Italy.  It sells for $12 which is a great value.  Ruby in color although deeper purple at the core.  The nose has black cherries, with a nice earthy merde quality to it.  On the palate, this is cleaner with nice black cherry fruit.  Slightly bitter on the finish, this really needs some food.  Medium tannins.  It should be good for another few years at least.  Tasty wine that will be good for summer barbecues and casual evenings.  

This is a "Zinfandel" from Italy.  It retails for $20, and that is a very nice value.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has nice cherry, slight sour cherry and smoke.  On the palate, this has light tannins.  Nice cherry flavors with underlying char.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This is Italian all the way and would work great at the dinner table with a wide variety of foods.  This is drinking quite well now 

This was cool.  Although made in 1958 it had a screw top.  Metal on glass with no visible o-rings, etc.  The wine was a bit oxidized but really drinking quite well.  It is fortified.  Brown in color, somewhat like Vin Santo.  On the nose, this was like a liquified Tootsie Roll.  Chocolate, slight raisin, confectionery sugar.  Nice.  on the palate, this is fun.  Chocolate candy with good acidity, a bit of caramel.  Slightly sweet.  Nice finish.  Way above expectations and this seems like it has plenty of life left.  Well done.  

This is made from Primitivo.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has cherries and is a bit peppery.  On the palate, nice acidity.  Cherries.  Light tannins.  Medium bodied.  Better with food.  A nice food wine and should be under $15.