Il Medaglione Primitivo Salento IGT - Leone de Castris

In the glass, Il Medaglione Primitivo Salento IGT - Leone de Castris unfolds a bright ruby red with distinct purplish reflections. The dense color already hints at how juicy and fruit-driven this red wine seduces the palate. When swirled, the wine shows slow church windows, suggesting good body and ripe fruit. On the nose, this single-varietal Primitivo from Apulia presents itself as very inviting. Ripe blackberries form the opening, closely interwoven with dark cherries and a hint of plum. In addition, the typical raisin notes appear, reminiscent of slightly dried grapes and lending the bouquet a warm, sweet-seeming depth. A delicate note of vanilla adds elegance, joined by hints of cocoa, cinnamon and a touch of black pepper. In the background there is a subtle hint of licorice, some dried thyme and a touch of tobacco. On the palate, Il Medaglione Primitivo Salento IGT - Leone de Castris appears juicy, round and very accessible. Dark berry fruit clearly takes center stage, especially blackberry and black cherry. Raisiny nuances create a flattering, almost opulent mouthfeel without the wine losing its freshness. The tannins appear ripe and soft, with a fine grip that gives structure and support without dominating. The acidity remains moderate and lively, carrying the fruit and ensuring drinkability. In the medium to long finish, vanilla and cocoa once again come to the fore, accompanied by spicy notes of cinnamon, clove and some sweet tobacco. A hint of balsamic spice echoes on and rounds off the flavor profile. The style is clearly fruit-driven, warm and yet harmonious, with a soft body and a dense, charming character. This Primitivo radiates the sunny energy of Salento and brings the southern flair of Apulia into the glass. Typical for Primitivo from Salento, this wine shows intense, dark fruit, combined with pleasant spice and soft tannin. The grape variety originally comes from Croatia and found a new home in Apulia. In the hot, dry climate of the heel of the boot, the grapes ripen very well and offer concentrated aromas. In Salento, surrounded by the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, there are many sunny days but also fresh breezes that ventilate the vineyards and cool the grapes at night. The soils in Salento often show red, iron-rich clay with limestone components. This combination shapes the minerality and depth of the wine and supports the typical spiciness. Il Medaglione Primitivo Salento IGT - Leone de Castris clearly reflects this Mediterranean terroir with its dark fruit, warm spice notes and its harmonious, full-bodied presence. Various strengths of this wine come together to create the impression in the glass:

• Intense aromas of blackberry, cherry, raisins and vanilla
• Soft, ripe tannins with a velvety mouthfeel
• Warm, Mediterranean character with spice and depth
• Juicy, dry style with a persistent finish
• High drinking pleasure with hearty dishes and convivial gatherings

The wine accompanies moments of enjoyment with calm power and clear stylistic character. For a quick sense of the wine’s profile, the following overview helps:

1. Color: bright ruby red with a purplish core
2. Nose: blackberry, raisins, vanilla, cocoa, spices
3. Palate: dry, juicy, soft, fruit-driven
4. Body: full, round, with supple tannin
5. Finish: spicy, fruity and persistent

Production of Il Medaglione Primitivo Salento IGT by Leone de Castris

The grapes for this single-varietal Primitivo come from Salento, the southern part of Apulia. The climate is warm, sunny and strongly Mediterranean in character. Hot days meet cool nights that bring fresh sea breezes. In this way the grapes ripen intensely and still retain a lively structure. The soil of red clay, sand and limestone stores heat and water, but offers enough drainage for concentrated berries with thick skins. In Apulia, Primitivo shows ripe, dark fruit, high extract levels and soft tannin. In this wine, the variety emphasizes its charming, juicy side. The grapes reach the Leone de Castris winery in Salice Salentino fully ripe. Selective harvesting separates weaker berries from the best grapes. Only fully ripe fruit thus reaches the fermentation vessel, which enhances the purity of the aromas and supports the dense structure of the wine. In the cellar, gentle maceration fermentation is carried out first. The destemmed grapes go into the tank, and the skins remain in contact with the must. Regular pump-overs extract the rich ruby color and the tannin structure. Fermentation takes place under temperature control so that the fruit aromas of blackberry and cherry clearly take center stage. Excessive temperatures risk burnt notes, so controlling the fermentation temperature serves the wine’s elegance. After fermentation, the young wine remains on the fine lees for a while. This contact brings more fullness and a creamier texture on the palate. Depending on the desired style, Il Medaglione matures partly in stainless steel tanks and partly in wood. The use of wooden barrels lends vanilla, delicate roasted aromas and light cocoa notes without overshadowing the fruit. This creates the typical combination of dark berry fruit and gentle, sweet spice. Leone de Castris has stood for a commitment to quality in Salice Salentino for generations. The estate focuses on clear origin, characterful grape varieties and a style that makes the sun of Apulia tangible. With Il Medaglione Primitivo, the focus is on drinking pleasure, soft structure and authentic Salento fruit. Every step, from vineyard care to bottling, aims at a balance between power, warmth and elegance.

Serving recommendations for Il Medaglione Primitivo Salento IGT by Leone de Castris

This Primitivo from Salento pairs ideally with robust, hearty dishes. Its dark fruit, gentle tannins and warm spiciness harmonize perfectly with grilled meats. Juicy beef steaks, lamb chops with rosemary or grilled salsiccia unfold a particularly dense aromatic dynamic with this wine. Il Medaglione also shows its strength with classic Italian cuisine. Pasta with rich tomato sauce, ragù alla Bolognese or lasagna enter into a very harmonious dialogue with its blackberry and cherry aromas. Pizza with spicy salami, pancetta or hot ’nduja topping finds a fitting partner in this red wine, which picks up the spiciness and complements the roasted notes from the oven. Those who enjoy dark poultry can serve the wine with braised duck leg with herbs or oven-roasted chicken with bell peppers and olives. It also goes well with sautéed mushrooms, oven vegetables, ratatouille or a Mediterranean vegetable bake with zucchini, eggplant and tomatoes. The wine underscores the sweetness of braised vegetables and contributes its spicy notes. Cheese lovers will also reach for Il Medaglione Primitivo Salento IGT. Aged Pecorino, medium-mature Parmigiano Reggiano, tangy Provolone or a semi-hard cheese with herb crust engage in a delightful interplay with the raisin and vanilla aromas. For an uncomplicated wine evening, antipasti platters with air-dried ham, salami, olives, sun-dried tomatoes and stuffed peppers are ideal. As a companion for an evening with friends, this red wine creates an inviting, warm atmosphere. It suits a night by the fireplace just as well as a barbecue on the terrace. It also makes a very good gift for lovers of Italian red wines, as it combines regional typicity with direct, charming drinkability. The ideal serving temperature is around 16 to 18 degrees. Served slightly cooler, it shows more freshness and structure; served slightly warmer, the dark fruit emerges even more softly. A short time in a decanter helps the aromas to fully unfold and makes the tannins appear even gentler. A bulbous red wine glass with a slightly tapered rim is best suited, as it gives both fruit and spice enough room. With proper storage in a cool, dark place at a constant temperature, Il Medaglione Primitivo Salento IGT by Leone de Castris will continue to mature harmoniously for a few years. In the first three to five years after harvest, it shows particularly vibrant fruit and juicy energy. Over time, more spice, vanilla and cocoa come to the fore, while the tannins appear even rounder.

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