Forte Canto Negroamaro Salento Rosso 2005 IGT tasting notes

This dark red wine from Monteroni di Lecce in Puglia was my first taste of a Negroamaro, which means "black bitter". I was caught by surprise (knowing it never touched wood) at how intensely flavorful this was. It's made from 100% Negroamaro grapes and grown in a red clay, sandstone and limestone soil, macerated in stainless steel vats on skins for 12 days, then straight to the bottle for 3 months. Again, it's not barreled and it's unfiltered, which really gives it weight. On the nose & palate are cola, blackberry, cherry pie and ripe plum. I'd decant this for at least an hour to get the full blast. This retails for about $14 and is well worth it.