Winemaker Notes
Inexpugnable ruby red, notes of rose and violet emerge in a slow, long-lasting progression, giving way to wild fruit, dried fig preserves, and vanilla. Persistent flavors in the finish.
Pairs well with main courses of roasted or grilled meat, stewed meat, or game.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
Dark and brooding, the 2022 Amativo grumbles up from the glass with an array of exotic spices, dried violets, licorice and freshly split pine. It’s silken in feel, showing a burst of ultra-ripe wild berry fruits that's offset by brisk acidity and a tactile crunch of minerality. Hints of sour citrus emerge toward the close. Long, staining and well balanced, the 2022 tapers off with nuances of mint that lift echoes of tart blackberry. This will appeal to a wide audience. The Amativo is a blend of 60% Primitivo and 40% Negroamaro.
Italian Red Wine
While picturesque hillsides, endless coastlines and a favorable climate serve to unify the grape-growing culture of this country. The apparent never-ending world of indigenous grape varieties gives Italy an unexampled charm and allure for its red wines. From the steep inclines of the Alps to the sprawling, warm, coastal plains of the south, red grape varieties thrive throughout.
The kings of Italy, wines like Barolo and Barbaresco (made of Nebbiolo), and Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino (made of Sangiovese), as well as Amarone (mostly Corvina), play center stage for the most lauded, collected and cellar-worthy reds. Less popular but entirely deserving of as much praise are the wines made from Aglianico, Sagrantino and Nerello Mascalese.
For those accustomed to drinking New World reds, the south is the place to start. Grapes like Negroamaro or Primitvo from Puglia and Nero d’Avola from Sicily make soft, ammicable, full-bodied, fruit-dominant wines. Curious palates should be on the lookout for Cannonau (Grenache), Lagrein, Teroldego, Ruché, Freisa, Cesanese, Schiopettino, Rossese and Gaglioppo to name a few.