Azienda Agricola Natalino del Prete Il Pioniere - Negroamaro e Malvasia Nera Salento IGT

Possibly a flawed bottle but mushroom, barnyard and dirt with only whiff of fruit anywhere to be found. At times it smelled of cow dung. Re-corked and tried a day later after leaving in glass for a few hours. Didn't even finish half of a glass. Unfortunate as was first wine from Puglia and interested to explore. Oh well. Life is too short to drink bad wine.

Very lovely aromatics of fresh and pure dark fruits, and pine-like herbal tones. Highly perfumed, and sometimes veers into natural wine VA kind of territory, but doesn't ever get there in a negative way. Snappy and acidic on the palate with plenty more dark fruit, and also a pleasing rustic bitterness. Not a crowd pleaser I think, but lovely, and a good value at under $13.

Cloudy, brownish-purple, 1 cm clear meniscus. Aromas and flavors of dirt, bitter cherry, leather, walnut and iron. Did I say dirt? Light to medium bodied, nice drying tannins, nice acid, a touch of band-aid, good balance and a good clean mineral finish. Very much in the natural style and on this particular day, not what I am looking for. Drinks easily and there is no hint what so ever of its 14% alcohol. I would really like to try this …