Li Veli "Askos" Susumaniello Salento IGT 2022

The Li Veli "Askos" Susumaniello is a captivating and relatively rare offering from the sun-drenched vineyards of Puglia, Italy, spotlighting the Susumaniello grape, a varietal with deep roots in the region's winemaking history. This wine is a deep, intense ruby red in color, signaling the richness and depth of flavor that awaits. Its complex nose unveils a bounty of dark fruits, such as ripe blackberries and plums, elegantly laced with notes of spice, licorice, cocoa, eucalyptusand a hint of Mediterranean herbs, reflecting the unique terroir of the Salento peninsula. On the palate, the Li Veli Askos Susumaniello is full-bodied and robust but not heavy, with a velvety texture and well-integrated tannins that envelop the mouth, leading to a finish that is both long and harmoniously balanced, showcasing the grape's potential for elegance and longevity.

Produced by Masseria Li Veli, a winery committed to reviving and honoring native Apulian grape varieties which were otherwise near extinction, this Susumaniello is part of their Askos project ("Askos" meaning wine decanter in ancient Greek), which aims to highlight the region's indigenous varietals. The winery employs sustainable practices and meticulous attention to detail in the vineyard and winery to ensure that each bottle expresses the purity and intensity of the fruit.

The vineyard is located in Cellino San Marco, Brindisi within the Salento IGT, and the vines grow upon beds of clay-limestone. The grapes are manually selected on a rolling table before de-stemming and crushing. Fermentation is done under controlled temperature between 27° and 31°C, to preserve as much as possible the original aromatic qualities of the fruit. Malolactic fermentation occurs in oak, and the wine ages in oak for nine months before bottling.