We have been carrying this traditional bottling from Li Veli for years, largely because it represents a beautiful take on one of Italy’s native grape varietals. Negroamaro is the main grape here (85%), softened nicely with Primitivo (15%). This bottle is a perfectly priced, delicious Italian wine that showcases what the Southern provinces of Italy are capable of producing with their local grapes. Negroamaro creates a medium bodied, darkly colored wine that is densely flavored...it comes right at you, forces itself on your palate, compels you to notice it, but it does not overwhelm you with weight, richness, and fullness of body. The flavors evoke dark plum, earthy, even stony associations, but with no hint whatsoever of over-ripeness or raisin flavors. The addition of Primitivo softens this wine in just the perfect way, by denying the Negroamaro of its roughness and tendency toward angular edginess.