Salice Salentino 'Passamante' Masseria Li Veli 2023

The Salice Salentino ‘Passamante’ is a pure Negroamaro with intense fruit made in the Salento area by Masseria Li Veli. The name ‘Passamante’ comes from the nearby forest of the same name located right next to the Negroamaro vineyards from which the grapes for this label are sourced. In particular, the origin of the name can be traced back to the fact that in ancient times lovers would often spend intimate moments right under the branches of the trees in this forest, composed of pines, broom, oaks, carob, myrtle, and juniper, plants of the Mediterranean scrub whose scents intoxicate the glass of ‘Passamante’.

The Negroamaro grapes intended for the production of Salice Salentino Masseria Li Veli ‘Passamante’ mainly come from young vineyards trained to a spurred cordon, although they are partially complemented by grapes from old bush-trained vineyards. The vines benefit from the characteristic ventilated Mediterranean climate of the Salento area, as well as the clayey and calcareous matrix that distinguishes the soils. The clusters are harvested in the second half of September and are then transferred to the winery for the alcoholic fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks in contact with the skins, with the temperature remaining between 22 and 28 °C throughout the entire fermentation process. Subsequently, the wine is aged in French oak barrels for several months until the final bottling.

The Salice Salentino Masseria Li Veli ‘Passamante’ has an intense ruby red color. The nose offers perceptions of leather and violet that blend with clear fruity hints of ripe plum, blackberry, and blueberry, all complemented by deep notes of licorice and coffee. On the palate, it is intense, never tiring, with silky tannins guiding the fruity and spicy persistence.