Cosimo Taurino 'Salice Salentino Riserva' Rosso 2013 (750ml)

Down in the heel of Italy, Puglia's warm Salento peninsula gives red wine a generous, sun-soaked character, and this Salice Salentino Riserva from Azienda Agricola Taurino Cosimo is built on the region's traditional pairing of Negroamaro with a measure of Malvasia Nera. The Negroamaro brings dark fruit and a faintly bitter edge (the name itself points to that), while Malvasia Nera lends perfume and softness; the Riserva designation means extra aging before release, which tends to round the tannins and settle the whole into something supple and ready.