Palama Negroamaro Salento "Arcangelo" 2011

As ardent champions of Puglia’s great Salice Salentino rosso, we were delighted to taste this 100% Negroamaro IGT from Palamá that spotlights the power and potential of this great varietal. The Palamá-Arcangelo shows all the lusty southern Italian charm that defines our favorite Salices, at a more modest price. Casting an opaque plum-ruby robe, the wine opens with spicy plum and black cherry fruit complicated by notes of dried orange peel, nutmeg and bitter chocolate. Clear and transparent on the palate, the wine’s saturated cherry fruit core is framed by firm, spicy tannins and suggestions of violets, figs, chocolate, menthol and cured meat. Long, lingering and truly delicious, this affordable wonder is a terrific call for hearty winter fare like stews and braises, but will pair equally well with bucatini all’amatriciana, pizza, burgers, grilled eggplant and roast pork shoulder. A fantastic value play in a ready-to-drink southern Italian red.

A December 2012 Newsletter selection.