Review: Cantine Salice Salentino D.O.C. Riserva 2018

 Here, I review the Cantine Salice Salentino D.O.C. Riserva 2018.

The Salice Salentino D.O.C. is located in Puglia, on the East-central side of Italy. The D.O.C. was created in 1976, originally only including red wines, but the rules were modified first in 1990 and then again in 2010 to include other styles.

To be designated as "riserva", a wine must be a minimum of 80% Negroamaro and ageds 2 years, with at least 1 year in wooden barrels. This wine is 100% Negroamaro.

Negroamaro is a red grape varietal which is high in acidity with a full body, making it strong and worthy of aging typically. These wines are typically dry and full-bodied.

Grapes for this wine come from Guagnano in Lecce. The vines were trained to the spur cordon style and planted at approximately 4,500 plants per hectare, being harvested at the end of September.

Maceration occurred with skin contact for approximately 10 day and fermentation was carried out at around 25-26°. The wine was subsequently aged in old barriques for 6 months.

The wine presented a deep garnet in color and showed notes of sour cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, rose hip, licorice, and leather on the nose. 

The palate was relatively rich with additional notes of molasses, salted caramel, and cinnamon.

Overall, this was a fruit-forward and warm wine with light oak influence but clear restrained. The delicate body and smooth tannins were accompanied by bright acidity and decent length. This is a perfect Summer wine to pair with braised beef ribs or salumi.