Tagaro Passo del Sud Appassimento 2025

Tagaro works in Puglia, the warm heel of southern Italy, where Negroamaro, Nero di Troia and Primitivo make rich, full-bodied reds. This wine uses the appassimento method, in which the grapes are partly dried after picking so that water evaporates and the sugars, fruit and tannins concentrate before fermentation, giving the finished wine extra body, ripeness and a faint raisined sweetness. The hot, dry Mediterranean climate and the region's red, iron-rich and limestone soils already push ripeness to its limit, and the drying takes it further. Negroamaro brings dark fruit and a savoury, slightly bitter edge, Nero di Troia adds tannin and spice, Primitivo lends ripe sweetness and high alcohol, and Merlot rounds the texture. After fermentation the wine ages in oak, where oxygen exchange softens the tannins and adds vanilla and toast. The colour is deep, near opaque purple. The nose shows ripe plum, prune, dark chocolate, raisin and black pepper. The palate is full bodied and concentrated, generous and warming, with soft tannins and a long, spiced finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees with rich, hearty dishes.