Leone de Castris

Susumaniello nearly disappeared. This ancient grape variety, which grows exclusively in Apulia, had been forgotten by the region's winegrowers for decades – until it was officially authorised for cultivation again in 2003. What followed was not a quiet return, but a minor renaissance: Il Lemos demonstrates why this grape variety deserves to be saved. Vinified as a single variety, macerated and fermented at 20 to 22°C for 10 to 15 days – enough time to fully extract colour and character without sacrificing freshness. Intense violet-red. The bouquet offers ripe fruit, blended with spicy notes of clove and liquorice. On the palate, it is dense and full-bodied, supported by lively acidity and firm, yet never overpowering, tannins. SUPERIORE.DE

1943: General Charles Poletti, responsible for supplying the Allies in southern Italy, ordered five bottles of Rosato – with an American accent. And so Five Roses became Italy’s first bottled rosato. Over eighty years later, it is still here, still true to itself. Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera, hand-harvested in early September, cold maceration at 10°C, gentle juice extraction, fermentation in stainless steel.

What began in 2004 as a commemorative wine to mark the 50th harvest of Salice Salentino – Leone de Castris has been producing this Apulian classic since 1954 – became an established tradition thanks to its resounding success. Since then, a new vintage of the "50° Vendemmia" has been released every year. A Riserva that demonstrates how Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera find their powerful yet elegant expression on the red soils of Salento. The blend of 90% Negroamaro and 10% Malvasia Nera di Lecce undergoes an 8- to 12-day maceration at a controlled temperature of 20 to 22 degrees following selective harvest, before the wine is aged for twelve months in 30-hectolitre oak barrels. A further six months of bottle ageing round off the wine's development.

In 1993, to mark the 50th anniversary of Five Roses, Leone de Castris decided that such a milestone deserved a wine worthy of the occasion. The Anniversario was born – and has been making history ever since. It has won Gambero Rosso’s Tre Bicchieri award on multiple occasions, as if it were routine. 80% Negroamaro, 20% Malvasia Nera di Lecce, grown on loamy-silty soils in Salice Salentino. Hand-harvested in early September, gentle destemming, cold maceration at 7–10°C, gentle must extraction without pressure, controlled fermentation in stainless steel. Simple, precise, uncompromising.

Manduria is one of Apulia's most prestigious Primitivo regions, and Villa Santera lives up to this reputation with international acclaim – a Primitivo that has made its mark on the global stage without losing its Apulian soul. The vines, averaging forty years old, are rooted in loamy-clay soil and trained using the spur pruning method, with 5,500 vines per hectare. Harvest takes place early, in the first ten days of September, with a deliberately low yield of 6 tonnes per hectare. Maceration and fermentation take place at 20 to 22°C to preserve the fruit and character without over-emphasising them. This is followed by a deliberate period of rest: six months in large wooden casks, where the wine gains depth without being dominated by toasty aromas, followed by at least a further three months in the bottle before it leaves the estate.

Gioia del Colle is not the Primitivo that the world thinks it knows. The Apulian Murgia plateau lies at an altitude of 380 to 400 metres – higher, cooler and windier than Salento, with stony, loamy soils, marked temperature fluctuations and a finesse in the Primitivo that would never emerge from the heat of the south. The DOC is regarded as one of Apulia’s most exciting premium regions and has attracted the attention of the international wine world in recent years. Amidst dry stone walls, cherry trees and limestone cliffs, Leone de Castris works here under the name ‘Masseria Donna Coletta’ – a project that is reinventing the centuries-old family without forgetting its roots.

An amazingly drinkyOttavianello that captures the wild character of Salento in a subtle way. The grapes come from old vines, selectively harvested and matured in barriques for twelve months. The colour in the glass is a light ruby with a transparent shimmer - light, yet full of expression. The nose is characterised by sour cherry, rosehip and delicate violet blossom, accompanied by spicy notes such as cinnamon and clove. Clear and fresh on the palate, with present but delicate acidity and silky tannins. The finish remains elegant, with spicy echoes and Mediterranean minerality. A bold representative of an almost forgotten grape variety - stylish, unusual, independent. For all those who are looking for the real thing and want to enjoy something beyond the usual. SUPERIORE.DE

Deep purple-red colour, distinctive bouquet that does not deny the Apulian home of the Susumaniello and enchants us with a stimulating freshness. Hints of ripe black cherries and fine spicy notes on the palate, dense, harmonious, long-lasting and with beautifully integrated tannins. An original, rustic flavour experience! SUPERIORE.DE

Gioia del Colle is an Italian municipality near Bari and probably the most famous DOC for Primitivo wines. The wines from this appellation embody a straightforward, fresh style and are far removed from the usual jammy suspects. The vines here grow at altitudes of up to 450 metres above sea level, the nights are cooler here than elsewhere in Apulia and the wines have a racier, tighter style and more structure than their namesakes.

The Donna Lisa vineyard is located in the heart of Salice Salentino. The Negroamaro vines are planted in the Pugliese Alberello – the old bush vine training style, which forces each vine to stand on its own. Around 7,000 vines per hectare, on average fifty years old. Those who have been standing in the Salento soil for so long have learnt to make a lot out of a little. Hand-picked at the end of September, maceration at a controlled temperature for at least 13 days, malolactic fermentation, then transferred to French barriques in spring – maturation for around 18 months, followed by at least six months in the bottle.

The Per Lui line does not begin in the cellar, but already on the vine. Before the harvest begins, the berry stalk of each bunch is tied off on the plant – the flow of juice is interrupted and the berry dries in a controlled manner on the living vine. An old Salento trick, here refined into a method: maximum concentration without a drying room, without intervention, just sun and time. 100% Primitivo, Alberello pugliese, argillo-limoso – loamy-silty soil that stores heat and releases it evenly. Vines around 35 years old, harvested in the second decade of September. Maceration for at least 20 days at a controlled 26–28°C, followed by several years in the bottle – no wood, only fruit.

A wonderfully matured Salice Salentino with character and depth: Per Lui Salice Salentino Riserva comes from selected Negroamaro vineyards that are deeply rooted in the iron-rich soils around Salice. Extended ageing in wood – partly in barriques, partly in tonneaux – lends the wine density and expression without compromising its balance. In the glass, it is a deep ruby red with a slight garnet rim. The nose is warm and complex: black cherry, plum, dried herbs, a hint of tobacco and a touch of cedar. On the palate, it is structured and powerful, with well-integrated tannins, juicy fruit and a spicy finish. An elegant, mature Salice Salentino that reveals its finer, more serious side – very much in the style of the great wines of southern Apulia. SUPERIORE.DE

Deep purple-red colour, distinctive bouquet that does not deny the Apulian home of the Susumaniello and enchants us with a stimulating freshness. Hints of ripe black cherries and fine spicy notes on the palate, dense, harmonious, long-lasting and with beautifully integrated tannins. An original, rustic flavour experience! SUPERIORE.DE

A wonderfully mature Salice Salentino with character and depth: "Per Lui" Salice Salentino Riserva comes from selected Negroamaro plots that are deeply rooted in the iron-rich soils around Salice. The long maturation in wood - partly barrique, partly tonneau - gives the wine density and expression without jeopardising its balance. Dark ruby red in the glass with a light garnet-red rim. The aroma is warm and complex: black cherry, plum, dried herbs, some tobacco and a hint of cedar. Structured and powerful on the palate, with well-integrated tannins, juicy fruit and a spicy finish. An elegant, mature Salice Salentino that shows its finer, more serious side - very much in the style of the great wines of southern Puglia. SUPERIORE.DE