Susumaniello 100%
Founded in 1665, Leone de Castris is one of Italy’s oldest family-owned wineries and a flagship producer of Puglia, based in the Salice Salentino area. This wine is a celebration of local viticulture, and a rare bottling of the native variety Susumaniello, a grape on the brink of extinction. The variety is thought to be named for the Salentino phrase "Susu lu somariellu!", or "Run, donkey!", as a nod to the grape's hardy vine and steady productivity even in a difficult vintage. The best examples, such as this offering from Leone de Castris, have bright high-toned red notes up front, overtop of dark, plush palates and a whisper of clove and licorice spice.