Summary
Terroir: The Castello Monaci Artas Primitivo is sourced from vineyards newar Manduria; Italy's top Primitivo climate. The dry, limestone based soils combine with alberello-trained vines and the hot arid climate to produce remarkably low yields and extraordinarily rich wines.
Vinification: Harvest is done at night to avoid exposing the picked grapes to the intense heat of the southern sun. The grapes are macerated at cold temperature for 15+ days with frequent pumping over of the must to encourage rich extraction of flavor and color. Following fermentation the wine is aged for 12 months in French oak followed by an additional 6 months in bottle prior to release.
Notes
The wine has very expressive, complex aromas of wild berries and forest fruits, along with spicy, balsamic notes. The flavor is full and opulent, with soft tannins. There is an aftertaste of red fruits.
Blend: Primitivo: 85%, Negroamaro: 15%
Score: 91 Points
The 2007 Primitivo Salento Artas, the estates top bottling, is a gorgeous, opulent wine that impresses for its effortless layers of fragrant, spiced fruit. Plums, cinnamon, new leather, flowers and licorice are some of the nuances that emerge from this rich, yet beautifully balanced red. Primitivo is the Italian equivalent of Zinfandel. The Artas does show slightly pronounced alcohol in this vintage, but not enough to detract from its overall balance. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2015.Click Here
"WINES SCORING AROUND 9"
The Balanced fluent Primitivo Artas has won 3 glasses for four years now. Its a wine that may run counter to the growing trend in Puglia for fullness and alcoholic richness, but it is very easy drinking and the bottle soon empties. The 2007 version has blackberry fruit and printers ink aromas, and a taut, full flavored palate with nice acid tension and a long, well-sustained finish.
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