Copertino, Puglia, Italy
Folks, this is a ridiculously great wine, and it has been a bestseller over the past five years. The Cantina Sociale’s 2011 Copertino, the winery’s newest release, is fashioned from a core of Negroamaro (95%) seasoned by a dollop of Malvasia Nera. An orange-rimmed dark garnet color, the Copertino Riserva’s long ageing results in a kaleidoscope of aromas from leather to red currants, dried cherries, cinnamon, cola, mushrooms, and cured meat. Supple on the palate, the wine delivers gorgeously funky, leathery dried cherry fruit followed by brisk acidity, fine lip-dusting tannins, and notes of smoke, limestone dust and herbs. Long, lingering and with impressive staying power, the wine finishes with earthy mushroom notes alongside reprises of saddle leather, tobacco, game, and peppery salumi. You’ll want to buy this delightful wine by the case to serve with everything that calls for a lusty, earthy, soul-satisfying rosso: pizza, pasta in a sun-dried tomato, pine nut and olive oil sauce, grilled sausages, or marinated flank steak come immediately to mind. A great value!
A March 2021 newsletter selection
