Amongst the list of high priced Tuscan and Piemontese wine that the Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate focus on these days it is hard to get any point scores to attract attention to lesser known wines or for not flashy wine regions. Fortunately you have me to ferret out these less well known and occasionally even bargain wines. The 2003 Le Fabriche Rosso Puglia $14.99 is a simply stunning blend of 40% negramaro, 30% malvasia nera and 30% primitivo. That would make this a Super Puglian if there is such a thing! Although I know many of you are fans of Italy but just in case you don’t know Puglia is the heel of the boot.

2003 has a bad reputation for being a super hot year and it was difficult for the folks in the north of Italy but global warming has been happening for a couple of millennia in Puglia, they know how to deal with hot weather and have already adjusted their canopy management and farming techniques to deal with their weather. In Piedmont if it doesn’t rain nobody knows what to do they’re so used to it raining all of the time, Puglia is like LA, it never rains!

The wine is luscious, however very well balanced. The negroamaro (it literally means black and bitter), is chock full of spice, herbs and has an earthy, gamey flavor which leaves sort of a sultry feel on your palate. A healthy portion of malvasia nera’s bright and more floral character seems to freshen the negroamaro’s earthiness and it lifts coaxes and then weaves the wine’s aromatics into a single yet complex bouquet. Add to that some primitivo that emulsifies the blend giving it a luscious, richness, which envelops your palate while still allowing the spice of the negroamaro and the floral malvasia nera to come through in the long and vibrant finish. Grilled meats (it is summer after all) go very well, or tomato sauced pasta or what the hell just drink it on its own, it’s really delicious.

Greg St.Clair