2022 Paolo Leo Passitivo Appassimento Primitivo

Deep ruby red

Nose

Pronounced ripe cherry and black cherry, with spicy notes and hints of coconut and chocolate

Producer

The cellars occupy a total area of about 24,000 square meters. The first is located in the heart of the Salice Salentino DOC (San donaci) the second, inaugurated in August 2020, is located at the gates of the Primitivo di Manduria DOC (Monteparano).

They are equipped with a state-of-the-art winemaking plant, a large barrel cellar and a modern cutting-edge bottling line capable of reaching 7000 bottles per hour. The winery is flanked by the farm Masseria Carritelli that is surrounded by vineyards.

Viticulture

A superb full-bodied wine which is made from the Primitivo grape variety which have been dried slightly using " il giro del picciolo" technique where the stems of the grape bunches are twisted so that they no longer receive nourishment. 

The grapes are left on the plant for approximately 12 days and lose around 25-30% of their weight in water, concentrating their flavours before harvest. After de-stemming, the grapes are not crushed, allowing them to remain intact, reducing damage to the skins and optimizing colour extraction.

Fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature of 28-30c for 8-10 days. Frequent remontage and delestage are carried out in the early stages of fermentation in order to achieve soft extraction of aromas and gentle tannins. After racking, malolactic bacteria are added to induce malolactic fermentation. Approximately 25% of the wine is aged for 12 months in French and American barriques.