The colour is deep ruby. On the nose, it shows ripe plum, liquorice, orange peel and a touch of coffee. In the mouth, fresh thanks to the acidity and warmth because of the alcohol. Elegant with well-integrated, slightly drying tannins. The aftertaste is medium long.
This wine is made by Rivera using Aglianico grapes within the Castel del Monte DOC.
Founded in the 1950s, Rivera has become a benchmark producer in northern Puglia, known for elevating indigenous varieties through careful vineyard management and for combining regional identity with a refined, modern approach, while keeping oak use restrained.
In Puglia, Aglianico tends to express a warmer and more approachable profile than in cooler regions, offering dark fruit, firm tannins, and a distinctive savory-spicy character while preserving freshness.
Castel del Monte DOC is one of Puglia’s most distinctive appellations, shaped by altitude and limestone-rich soils. The denomination permits a range of grapes, with Aglianico, Nero di Troia, Bombino Nero and Bombino Bianco among the key native varieties, alongside limited use of international grapes.
I bought this bottle in Bari for 15.48 EUR, while walking from Benevento to Brindisi to complete My Way from Canterbury to Jerusalem.