Hand harvested in the last week of August and first week of September the primitivo is picked early - fresh and fruity. In the last two weeks of September the negroamaro is picked - dark fruit and earthiness. The stark difference in time of picking lends itself to the wine in that the opposition makes it, well, very balanced. We were very excited to hear Li Veli was going to blend their two indigenous varieties together.
The result is a deep ruby colored wine with fresh fruit on the nose. When you drink it it has dark rich velvety fruit, great acidity and an elegant finish, as the Italians say, full of finesse.
It's a steal too. Toss it on the kitchen counter next to that zippy rose you bought last week.
Li Veli Primonero 2008 $12 a bottle
