Vigneti del Salento Leggenda Vigne Vecchie Gold Series 2021
A seriously impressive old-vine Primitivo di Manduria, made from carefully selected Primitivo vines more than 70 years old in Puglia. Powerful, concentrated and luxuriously smooth, it delivers masses of ripe plum, black cherry and blackberry alongside tobacco, sweet spice, cocoa, coffee and vanilla.
At 15.5% ABV, this is unapologetically a big red, but its richness is matched by polished tannins and enough freshness to keep everything balanced. Six months in French barriques adds further depth and a smooth, warming character without taking away from the intensely ripe fruit.
For those who enjoy Amarone, rich Primitivo, Appassimento or full-bodied New World reds, this is an easy recommendation. It's the sort of wine for someone who wants something bold and impressive: rich, velvety, dark-fruited and powerful, with the old vines bringing a noticeable step up in concentration and complexity.
Italy
Puglia
Primitivo
750ml
15.50%
2021
DOP
Primitivo di ManduriaVigneti del Salento specialises in the indigenous grapes and traditional vineyards of Puglia in southern Italy, with Leggenda sitting towards the premium end of its Primitivo range.
The key to Leggenda is its Vigne Vecchie – old vines. The fruit comes from selected Primitivo vineyards more than 70 years old around San Marzano. These traditional bush-trained vines produce naturally low yields and small quantities of intensely concentrated fruit.
The wine is made from 100% Primitivo under the Primitivo di Manduria denomination. After vinification, it spends approximately six months in French oak barriques, adding vanilla, toast and spice to the naturally powerful dark-fruit character of the grapes.
The result is exactly what premium Primitivo does best: enormous fruit concentration and warmth, but with enough tannin, spice and savoury complexity to make it considerably more interesting than a straightforward fruit-driven red.
This is a big, rich and full-bodied red – definitely one for customers who like plenty of flavour in their wine.
Think ripe black cherries, plums and blackberries, with chocolate, coffee, vanilla and warm spice. It's smooth and velvety rather than aggressively tannic, despite its considerable concentration.
If you enjoy Amarone, Appassimento, Ripasso, Malbec or other rich Primitivos, Leggenda should be right up your street. Compared with an everyday Primitivo, however, the old vines give this considerably more depth and intensity.
In simple terms: big, bold, smooth and luxurious – a proper fireside red.
- Nose: Intense and complex, with ripe plum, blackberry and cherry preserve followed by tobacco, herbs, violet and gentle toasted spice.
- Palate: Full-bodied, rich and velvety, with concentrated dark fruit and beautifully smooth tannins. Plum and black cherry are joined by vanilla, cocoa, coffee and warming spice, giving the wine an almost luxurious texture.
- Finish: Long, warm and persistent, with ripe dark fruit gradually giving way to cocoa, coffee, vanilla and spice.
- Slow-Cooked Beef – Deep, savoury flavours stand up to the wine's concentrated fruit.
- Roast Lamb – Rich lamb works beautifully with its dark fruit and warming spice.
- BBQ & Grilled Meats – Charred flavours complement the wine's oak, cocoa and spice.
- Game – Its power and concentration make it an excellent match for richer game dishes.
- Rich Pasta & Ragù – Ripe fruit balances slow-cooked tomato and meat sauces.
- Mature Cheese – Strong, aged cheeses are an ideal match for such a full-bodied red.
- Serve at 16–18°C – slightly below room temperature helps keep such a powerful wine balanced.
- Decant for 45–60 minutes – worthwhile to allow the concentrated fruit and oak character to fully open.
- Use a large red wine glass – this gives its dark fruit, chocolate and spice aromas plenty of room to develop.
- Enjoy now or cellar – the concentration and structure give the 2021 good potential for further development; one specialist listing suggests it can continue evolving for around a decade.
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