TENUTA COPPADORO PESCOROSSO 2006

I’ve dove head first into Palm Bay Imports Italian portfolio, and have come up with another beautiful expression of classic Italian wine with the Tenuta Coppadoro Pescorosso 2006 ($14.97) from Puglia (the “heel of the boot”).

Coppadoro is one of the latest projects involving superstar Italian winemaker Riccardo Cotarella (Falesco, Sportoletti, La Carraia). Mr. Cotarella is considered one of the top consultants in the biz (alongside Michel Rolland, Heidi Barrett, Helen Turley and Paul Hobbs). This winery is very young (founded in 2001), yet has risen to the top of the producers in Southern Italy.

This is a dark, brooding red blend of 75% Nero di Troia and 25% Aglianico that show of earthy nuances of currants and red berry, with notes of fresh, cracked pepper, cloves and roasted game. Its color is inky purple and the tannins are firm and potent, due to 20 days of maceration on the skins. Malolactic fermentation gives it a rich mouthfeel, and there is a long-lasting finish of peaty red berries and spice, which would be perfect with a meaty lasagna. Give this unique Italian red a try.