Aromas of fruit cake, dates, fig and berries. On the palate this is a full-bodied wine with flavors of plum, fig newton, dried fruits, cinnamon and clove. It is dense yet lifted and generous. It has a long finish.

WINE INFORMATION

This estate comprises 85 acres of sustainably-farmed vineyards around the masseria (renovated old stone farmhouse). The winery was started in 1999 and is owned by the Falvo family with Riccardo Cotarella as the winemaker. Li Veli produces quintessentially Puglian wines from mostly native grape varieties such as Negroamaro and Primitivo, as well as with several less familiar local native grape varieties such as Susumaniello, Verdeca, and Minutolo.

It is located in far southern Italy in the Salento peninsula in the “heel of the boot'', about 11 miles from the Adriatic Sea coast. The climate here is hot (regularly over 104 degrees and with 300 days of sunshine) and dry, but luckily the region enjoys cool breezes from the sea.

The grapes for this wine come from the Pezzo Morgana vineyard, planted using the ancient Settonce system based on hexagonal distribution rather than rows. The soil is composed of clay and limestone rock. This wine is a riserva, which requires at least 2 years of aging, including 6 months or more in wood.

Charcuterie, Cheese, Grilled preparations, Hearty stew, Mushrooms, Pizza, Pork, Red Meat, Roasted Root Vegetables, Sausage, Slow-smoked Barbeque/BBQ Sauce, Tomato Sauce