Li Veli Passamante, Salento Negroamaro 2004

~$10US, 100% Negroamaro, Salento, Italy

Incredibly floral and meaty on the nose, like a proscuitto that was aged in a country farmhouse surrounded by fields of wildflowers. Delicate and medium bodied. A little backwards but promising on day 1 – great aromatics, but tannins and acidity up-front, fruit behind.

On day 2, a different story. The nose still delivered, but the flowers and fruit married overnight. Gorgeous acidic lift on the backend. Tannins integrated with red and black cherries all over the place. Lush and inviting. Fruit and meaty iron notes on the finish. This has the feel of a solid Burgundy – and on the second day, this was drinking better than most of the Burgundies I’ve had (only deficient in length really). I just scratched my head, smiled, and enjoyed the hell out of if with a rustic roasted hen and white beans.

pssst….did I tell you it was $10!

If you see this wine, buy it.