L’Archetipo Primitivo Aglianico Puglia 2020

L'Archetipo farms by synergistic agriculture in Castellaneta, in the heart of Puglia, a low-intervention approach that lets each process run its natural course. This wine pairs two of southern Italy's most structured grapes, Primitivo for ripe dark fruit and Aglianico for tannin and acidity, from the warm IGP Puglia zone. The Mediterranean climate ripens both fully, while Aglianico's late harvest and firm backbone give the blend ageing potential that Primitivo alone would lack. The 2020 was raised at length, twenty-four months in stainless steel followed by eighteen months in oak barrels, the slow time in wood softening Aglianico's grip and knitting the two grapes together through gentle oxygen exchange. The colour is deep ruby with garnet edges. The nose is dark and savoury, with plum, black pepper, liquorice and a touch of tobacco and leather. The palate is full bodied and firm, with dark fruit, dark chocolate, fine grained tannin and an earthy, lingering finish. At 14 percent it is a serious, structured red. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees, decanted, with roast beef, braised lamb or mature hard cheese.