Impressive not only for the beauty that lies within the bottle, but also for their statuesque appearance - the muscular bottles weigh a hefty 1.2kg when empty.
Feudi di San Marzano Sessantanni Old Vines Primitivo di Manduria DOC 2004
So the bottle is massive but the wine is massive too. Vivid purple red with prune and raisin aromas and sweet, jammy, spicy flavours with a smoky richness, chocolate and even a hint of tobacco. Hugely concentrated black and purple fruits fill the palate with a mouthfilling ripeness, a touch of liquorice, smooth flowing tannins and a sweet spicy finish with a succulence to the aftertaste that just goes on and on. 100% Primitivo. 14.5% alcohol. Cork closure. NZ$47.99.
I think this Puglia wine is magnificent and Neil rates this as "just about the best red wine" he's had this year.
http://www.feudisanmarzano.it
Farnese Edizione Cinque Autoctoni 2006
Fantastically appealing and super tasty with an alluring pink-black colour, smoky Christmas cake scents, juicy flavours and a lasting finish. Super ripe fruit is balanced to savoury, spicy, oak with supple tannins that can only be described as ‘easy’. This impressive blend is rich, juicy and flavoursome and just so seductively delicious. Grapes are sourced from Colonnella, Ortona, Sava and San Marzano districts and comprise Montepulciano (33%), Primitivo (30%), Sangiovese (35%), Negroamaro (7%) and Malvasia Nera (5%). 14.5% alcohol. Cork closure. NZ$46.99.
I love the way the Farnese website calls this 'meditation wine'. What a great excuse to drink it.
http://www.farnesevini.it/eng/main.asp