"Ottagono" Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva DOCG 2015

One of the most fascinating wines from Puglia, if not from the whole of Southern Italy. The Castel del Monte DOCG, here in the Riserva ‘Ottagono’ di Torrevento version, is a red wine with great character that well embodies the essence of Puglia, a land of ancient winemaking traditions and fascinating landscapes. Produced exclusively with Nero di Troia grapes, it represents one of the most authentic expressions of the Apulian territory. In this case the grapes come from Contrada Pedale, located in the heart of the Apulian Murgia, at an altitude between 400 and 500 metres above sea level. This area is characterised by calcareous and rocky soil, ideal for growing vines. The octagon obviously recalls that of the nearby Castel del Monte, a famous 13th century residence and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nero di Troia, or ‘Uva di Troia’, is an indigenous grape variety with ancient origins shrouded in mystery. Appreciated for its high polyphenol content, which gives wines an intense ruby colour and an important tannic structure, in the past it was mainly used to strengthen lighter wines, but recently it has gained recognition as a single-variety vine, producing wines of great value. The Ottagono grapes are harvested late, at the beginning of November, allowing the grapes to reach a slight over-ripeness. The vinification involves a long fermentation with prolonged maceration on the skins. The wine is aged for 8 months in cement tanks and then for 12 months in large oak barrels, ensuring a balanced maturation and the ideal integration of tannins. Visually, Ottagono has an intense and impenetrable ruby red colour with violet reflections. The bouquet is full and persistent, characterised by scents of black berry fruit such as blackberry and plum, accompanied by slight spicy notes of black pepper and liquorice. In the mouth it is full-bodied, with a dense tannic texture and a full and decisive flavour, dominated by ripe red fruit. Thanks to its structure and the presence of well-integrated tannins, Ottagono has a remarkable ageing potential, evolving positively for up to 15 years. It goes well with roast red meats, mature hard cheeses and cold cuts. Its structure and complexity also make it ideal for accompanying the ‘robust’ dishes of the Apulian tradition, such as roast lamb or mature caciocavallo podolico cheese.