80% Negroamaro and 20% Malvasia Nera from Italy. Available for $5.99 at Trader Joe’s.
From the bottle:
A blend of Negroamaro 80% and Malvasia Nera 20%. Intense ruby red in color with orange reflections on the outside rim of the wine. Intense and persistent aromas of red, woodsy berries. On the palate the wine is dry, well balanced, and full bodied with a long finish. Serve at room temperature with rustic meat dishes. 13% alcohol.
This wine has blackberry and plum notes on the nose, a bit oaky and acidic on the palate, with a medium-long dry finish. Not fantastic, but pretty interesting in that it exhibits this much complexity at only $5.99. If it had less oak it could be really good. Another solid offering from Epicuro.
This was the first time I’ve had Negroamaro, which is grown in the heel of Italy. Makes me wonder how many other little known Italian grapes are out there — maybe we’ll have to do a first hand investigation some day!
