April 6, 2013 - I had a bottle of this two years ago, and the initial taste was different from the previous -- not at all sweet, very dusty. Moreover, it did not improve much on day 2 or 3, although it was spectacular with some Spanish goat cheese (in that narrow domain 90+). Bottle variation?
June 3, 2011 - wel eerst ruim laten ademen
April 16, 2011 - A decent bottle, but not up to the other Salentinos I have had. A little too sweet (or perhaps not dusty enough) for me -- as suggested by some others. Maybe another year or so will help.
I left a half bottle on the counter and tried it the next day. What a difference -- much improved -- much more integrated. To me, this suggests some more time in the bottle. Also, Parker gave this a 90, which I initially thought was way too generous. Not so. Solid wine.
March 20, 2009 - Unremarkable brownish ruby color. Little fruit, not pleasant mouthfeel. Not a bad wine but will not a good QPR at $10.
December 30, 2008 - Nice pepper, sausage, and fennel flavors, with a tint of tobacco and mint. Great at this price point. Moderately long finish.
December 20, 2008 - I loved this wine. I don't have good notes, but I remember chocolate, a little cinnamon/vanilla, and blueberry. My first negroamaro. Not my last. Very nice wine, especially for the price.
October 2, 2008 - In glass one hour. Smells like a mix of chocolate pudding and mud pie. Very "dark" aromas... I can picture piles of ground up black stuff: graphite, dirt, chocolate, tar, and fennel. Not a very big nose, but deep and interesting. Medium - full bodied and creamy in the mouth with some leather and a bit of funk. Finishes very seamlessly, fairly sweet, and milky, showing butter, a brief zing of pepper and the chocolate pudding. No tannins to speak of. Interesting and yummy, and certainly worth the reasonable tariff, but nothing remarkable. The sweetness is a bit much as one continues to consume multiple glasses.
September 27, 2008 - Deep ruby colour. Aromas of blueberry and vanilla.Medium bodied and smooth with a nice acidity balance, slightly off-dry. Medium-short finish.