L’Archetipo Mistico Primitivo Salento 2022

L'Archetipo is the family estate of Francesco Valentino Dibenedetto in Castellaneta, in Italy's heel, who farms the vineyard as a living ecosystem under biodynamic and synergistic principles. Mistico is made from Primitivo, the southern variety that ripens early and richly in Salento's hot Mediterranean climate, on soils that hold the heat and push the grapes to full maturity and high sugars, here giving an alcohol of 15.5%. This is a natural wine with minimal intervention. It ages for around 18 months in stainless steel followed by 24 months in oak, a long elevage where slow oxygen exchange softens the tannins and integrates the alcohol while the extended ageing builds savoury, spiced complexity. The colour is deep ruby. The nose shows ripe plum and dark cherry with black pepper, liquorice and dried herbs, and a cocoa edge from the long ageing. The palate is full bodied and warming, with concentrated dark fruit, soft tannins and a savoury, earthy finish that carries the ripeness in balance. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees. It is built for rich, hearty food.