Amastuola 2021 Puglia Aglianico 750ml

The Montanaro family farms roughly 170 certified-organic hectares atop a 210-metre plateau at Crispiano, in Taranto's "hundred farms" country, looking out toward the Ionian Sea, where landscape designer Fernando Caruncho reimagined the vineyard in 2006 as undulating parallel waves running three kilometres, punctuated by 24 islands of ancient olive trees. Organics here isn't a marketing line but the whole philosophy: every parcel farmed without synthetic inputs, with part of the estate given over to research into how Puglia adapts to a warming climate. Altitude and sea breeze temper Mediterranean heat, granting this late-ripening variety the hang time it demands. Twenty-four months in oak follow.

Bright, full ruby. A penetrating, balsamic nose layers black pepper, mace and nutmeg over gentle toast, with black cherry, plum and dried herbs beneath. Warm and well-balanced on the palate, decidedly tannic, closing long and voluminous on a spicy, balsamic return. Decant an hour; serve 16–18°C.

Pairing: grilled red meat, game, aged cheeses.