Region: Salice Salentino, Puglia, Italy

Varietal: 100% Negroamaro

Producer: Situated in the sun-bathed Salento peninsula of Puglia, Masseria Li Veli has emerged as one of the region’s most compelling interpreters of its native grape heritage. Under the guidance of the Falvo family, the estate has leveraged its deep local roots and modern mindset to elevate Negroamaro—the signature red of Salice Salentino—from everyday table wine to something of serious regional identity. The “Passamante” bottling honors a wooded strip (“Bosco Passamante”) adjoining the estate’s vines—a subtle gesture that connects wine, land, and myth, and positions this wine as an accessible yet distinctive expression of Salento’s terroir.

Vineyard & Winemaking: The 2023 Passamante is crafted from 100% Negroamaro grown in the estate’s vineyards around Cellino San Marco, planted on clay-rich and calcareous soils. The vines are trained under spur-cordon (and some alberello in older blocks) with yields restrained to boost concentration. Harvest occurs in mid to late September, followed by fermentation in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures of 22–28 °C. After primary fermentation, the wine spends approximately 6 months in French oak barriques to round off the structure and integrate subtle spice and complexity.

Tasting Notes: The 2023 Passamante shows a vibrant ruby hue and unfolds on the nose with aromas of ripe plum and blackberry, alongside Mediterranean underbrush—myrtle, juniper, and broom—that recall the bosco beside the vineyard. On the palate it is medium-bodied and polished, offering juicy dark fruit, a hint of licorice and cinnamon spice from the oak ageing, and clean, refined tannins. Bright acidity keeps the wine lifted, while a mineral streak and savory herb note add depth and length. Ready to enjoy now with grilled meats, mature cheeses, or hearty pasta, yet well structured to reward short-term cellaring.