2003 Epicuro Salice Salentino Riserva
Price: $4.99 @ Trader Joe’s imported by D’Aquino Italian Imports
What They Said:
Per snooth.com “A great value, I’d be happy to drink this on a regular basis. It’s a blend of 80% negroamaro and 20% malvasia nera, with mineral and berry notes. It is dry, and light-bodied for a red wine. Some may find this a little watery, but it has a flavorful finish. No heavy alcohol fumes or need to breathe first, like so many wines at this price point.”
What I Think:
After trying their Aglianico I was willing to try the rest of their offerings. Like the previous bottle and the Nero d’ Avola I’ve previously enjoyed this wine was also from southern Italy. This one was a blend of 80% Negroamaro, 20% Malvasia Nera which immediately sends me to Wikipedia as I have heard of neither. Negroamaro is grown almost exclusively in Puglia which is also the home of Primitivo (a relative of Zinfandel) which I have much enjoyed. All signs seem to be pointing in this ones favor.
On opening my interest is piqued. The nose was full of earth and herbs. On the palate more of the same, very earthy and robust with hints of cherries. The finish was long and flavorful, with fruit tailing off to a woody, smoky ending. Another keeper from southern Italy which has clearly put itself on my map.
Rating: Buy It
How do you rate it?
(5 votes, average: 3.8 out of 5)
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February 2nd, 2008 at 11:22 pm
I updated this per my second bottle, much more favorable…
February 19th, 2008 at 4:26 am
Eric brought over another bottle of this the other night. Still finding this one interesting, good thing as I still have two bottles in the rack!
February 21st, 2008 at 1:09 am
Thanks for navigating these waters…this was a great find!!
September 29th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
I’m enjoying some of the ‘04 vintage right now and am very impressed! It has the earthy aromas and rich, ripe mid-palate flavors I usually find in my favorite Spanish wines. I think I like this better than the Epicuro Aglianico!
October 8th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Thanks for sharing this wine with my pizza recipe Jason!
December 13th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
My first bottle was lovely. The next bottle, I will pay more attention and register the various pleasures. All I remember is a pleasant nose, reasonably complex mid-taste, and enough finish to remind me that I’m drinking a wine good enough to serve with aplomb.