Winemaker Notes
An Homeric figure, Ajax Telamon, son of Telamon, is the “Great Ajax”. King of Salamis, he took part in the Trojan war, frequently distinguishing himself amongst the Greek heroes for his strength and outstanding bravery. Strong, imposing and very handsome, he was always composed and master of himself.
This wine is aged for 12 months in 1st and 2nd passage French Oak barriques followed by 12 months in larger French Oak barrels. Bottle refinement lasts for 6 months before release. Structured, fine and elegant, this full and round wine has a long lasting finish.
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Spectator
Plum cake and baked raspberry flavors are accented by oak spice and licorice snap notes in this grippy, medium- to full-bodied red. Bright and expressive, with a lingering, mineral-tinged finish. Best from 2019 through 2024.
While robust notes of dark fruit do characterize Negroamaro, its modern expression doesn’t quite live up to the dramatic meaning of its name, “bitter and black.” This dark-skinned southern Italian grape variety is found on the eastern half of the Salento peninsula, which is the backside of Italy’s “boot heel” and part of the Puglia region. Negroamaro forms the base, along with Malvasia Nera and Primitivo, for the best wine of the area, called Salice Salentino. It can also produce single varietal reds as well as some impressive aromatic rosé wines. Somm Secret—Negroamaro is truly an Italian wine – no propagation of the grape is found anywhere else outside of Italy.
Well-suited to the production of concentrated, fruity and spicy red varieties, Puglia is one of Italy’s warmest, most southerly regions. Its entire eastern side is one long coastline bordering the Adriatic Sea. About half way down, the region becomes the Salento Peninsula. This peninsula, bordered by water on three sides, receives moist, nighttime, sea breezes that bring a welcome cooling effect to the region, where little rain creates a challenging environment for its vines. In fact, the region is named for the Italian expression, “a pluvia,” meaning “lack of rain.”
Puglia’s Mediterranean climate and iron-rich, calcareous soils support the indigenous Primitivo, Negroamaro and Nero di Troia. Primitivo produces an inky, spicy, brambly and ripe red wine whose best expression comes from Manduria. Nero di Troia produces tannic, rustic reds from Castel del Monte DOC while Negroamaro, typically blended with Malvasia nera, plays a large part in may blends made throughout the peninsula.
Puglia produces a small amount of white wines as well, predominantly made of the fruity, Trebbiano Toscano, or light, Bombino bianco grapes.