The wine has a lovely and intense ruby-red colour with a bouquet reminiscent of cherries, dried fruit, chocolate and prunes. On the palate it is full-bodied, soft and round, with a pleasant spiciness and an amazingly long and lingering finish.
Paolo Leo, the owner of a historic winery named after him, started his business in the heart of Salento in Apulia, which is considered southern Italy. Today the winery has become a modern company with a completely computerized bottling line that is able to bottle 6,000 bottles per hour. The Leo family has been able to build a cutting edge and innovative company that is not only famous in Italy alone but in the entire world.
The grapes are carefully picked by hand in early October. Approximately 60% of the picked grapes are placed in small wooden crates of 5 kg each. The crates are then placed in the fruttaio, a well aerated loft, and are left there to dry at a controlled temperature and humidity until December. During this appassimento the grapes will lose up to 50% of their original weight in water, thus concentrating their colour, substance and aromas. The grapes which are not dried are immediately vinified.
After de-stemming, the grapes are not crushed, allowing them to remain intact, reducing damage to the skins and optimizing colour extraction. In late December the dried grapes are vinified. After de-stemming, the grapes are crushed and placed in stainless steel tanks, where selected yeasts are added. In early February the two wines are blended together. 50% of this blend is placed in first and second passage American and French barriques, where it will stay for 12 months.
Country | Italy |
Region | Veneto |
Grapes | Merlot and Corvina |
ABV | 13.5% |
Suitable for Vegans | No |
Organic | No |
Standard Delivery
Mainland UK Orders over £150 | FREE |
Mainland UK Orders under £150 | £7.95 |
Scottish Highlands and Isle of Wight | £14.95 |
Scottish Islands | £19.95 |
Isle of Man and Isles of Scilly | £19.95 |
Northern Ireland | £19.95 |
Channel Islands | £24.95 |
Saturday Delivery
Mainland UK Orders over £150 | £6.95 |
Mainland UK Orders under £150 | £14.95 |
Store Pickup
Collect in store usually same/next day | FREE |