Region:  Salento, Puglia, Italy

Varietal:  100% Susumaniello

Tasting notes: Deep ruby red. A wine with great character on the nose: sensations of black and red berries are backed by spicy notes, hints of licorice and cocoa and notes of eucalyptus. It is a full-bodied but not heavy wine, extremely satisfying and easy to drink. The alcohol percentage is well-balanced. Delicious now, it will age well.

Producer:  Masseria Li Veli is an imposing building on the southern most slopes of the Murge hills in the Salento peninsula, also known as the “heel of Italy”. The project is the realization of the Falvo family (previous owners of Avignonesi in Montepulciano, Tuscany) who have strong ties to the region. Today, the estate comprises 35 hectares of vineyards, planted with the traditional Apulian varieties: Negroamaro, Primitivo and Malvasia Nera. The family's vision is to establish a new quality benchmark in the region both through vineyard management and vinification. Applying the knowledge and expertise gained at Avignonesi, the effort is to realize the ultimate potential for the local varieties with wines that have more primary fruit, freshness and structural acidity while still maintaining the character this dry, hot Mediterranean land provides.

Vineyard and Winemaking:  The bottling name, Askos, is greek for Decanter and was named as such to showcase a selection of ancient Apulian grapes which are almost disappearing, cultivated in their most suitable terroir. The vineyard is located in Cellino San Marco, Brindisi within the Salento I.G.T., and the vines grow upon beds of clay-limestone. The grapes are manually selected on a rolling table before de-stemming and crushing. Fermentation is done under controlled temperature between 27° and 31°C, to preserve as much as possible the original aromatic qualities of the fruit. Malolactic fermentation occurs in oak, and the wine ages in oak for 9 months before bottling.