4-Bottle Red Case Wine Description - September 2025
AMANTIS MONTECUCCO SANGIOVESE DOCG
Pronunciation: “San-joh-veh-zeh”
Grape
100% Sangiovese
The iconic red grape of Tuscany, Sangiovese is celebrated for its bright acidity, firm structure, and expressive red fruit aromas. In Montecucco, it develops a particularly elegant profile, combining ripe cherry, plum, and subtle floral notes with hints of spice and earthiness.
Region
Produced in the Montecucco DOCG, located in southern Tuscany near Maremma. The vineyards are situated on gentle hills with calcareous clay soils that provide excellent drainage and allow the grapes to achieve full ripeness while maintaining freshness. The region’s microclimate, influenced by proximity to the Tyrrhenian Sea and the southern Apennines, enhances aromatic complexity and balance.
Tasting Notes
The wine shows an inviting bouquet of ripe red cherries, wild berries, and soft floral hints, with subtle spice and earthy undertones. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with silky tannins, refreshing acidity, and a persistent finish that reflects both fruit and minerality.
Vinification & Ageing
Fermentation occurs in stainless steel with selected yeasts, followed by ageing in a combination of large oak casks and tonneaux to preserve freshness while adding structure and complexity. The careful vinification enhances Sangiovese’s aromatic purity and elegant tannic profile.
Ageing Potential
Enjoyable upon release, yet capable of developing additional depth and complexity over 5–8 years, revealing richer tertiary notes of leather, tobacco, and dried fruit.
Food Pairing
Pairs beautifully with roasted or grilled meats, pasta with tomato-based sauces, aged pecorino cheeses, and traditional Tuscan dishes such as wild boar ragù or pappa al pomodoro.
Fun Fact
With only about 70 producers cultivating roughly 800 hectares of vines, Montecucco maintains a boutique scale, ensuring meticulous care and quality.
Discover more about the producer: Amantis
CARVINEA MERULA IGT SALENTO ROSSO
Grape
Merula Rosso is a blend of Aglianico and Primitivo, two indigenous grape varieties of Southern Italy, known for producing wines with rich flavours, deep colour, and structured yet approachable profiles.
Region
Produced in Puglia, Italy, the vineyards are planted on well-drained soils rich in clay and limestone. The Mediterranean climate, combined with cooling sea breezes, ensures optimal ripening while preserving the grapes’ aromatic freshness.
Tasting Notes
This wine displays a ruby-red colour with aromas of plum, black cherry, and subtle spice. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with soft, round tannins, balanced acidity, and a smooth finish featuring hints of wild herbs and gentle minerality.
Vinification & Ageing
Grapes are fermented with native or selected yeasts in stainless steel tanks. The wine is aged in a combination of stainless steel and small French oak barrels for approximately 7 months, followed by short bottle maturation to enhance complexity while preserving the purity of fruit and freshness.
Ageing Potential
Enjoyable upon release, Merula Rosso can develop additional depth and complexity over 3–6 years when stored properly.
Food Pairing
Pairs beautifully with pasta dishes, grilled meats, roasted vegetables, charcuterie, and medium-aged cheeses. Its balance makes it versatile for everyday dining.
Fun Fact
The name “Merula” comes from the local dialect meaning “blackbird”, in honour of the blackbirds that visit Carvinea’s vineyards at the end of harvest, symbolizing the connection between nature and viticulture.
Discover more about the producer: Carvinea
MARMORELLE BRINDISI DOC NEGROAMARO
Pronunciation: “Neh-groh-ah-mah-ro”
Grape
100% Negroamaro
Negroamaro is a native red grape of Puglia, renowned for its deep colour, rich body, and elegant structure. It expresses dark fruit aromas such as black cherry and plum, complemented by hints of spice, cocoa, and Mediterranean herbs.
Region
Produced in the Brindisi DOC area of southern Puglia, Italy. The vineyards are located on sun-exposed hills with fertile, well-drained soils rich in limestone and clay. The warm Mediterranean climate, tempered by sea breezes, allows the grapes to ripen fully while maintaining freshness and aromatic intensity.
Tasting Notes
The wine shows an expressive bouquet of black cherries, plums, and wild herbs, with subtle notes of pepper and cocoa. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, with velvety tannins, balanced acidity, and a long, persistent finish featuring soft spice and mineral undertones.
Vinification & Ageing
Grapes undergo controlled fermentation in stainless steel or concrete tanks, followed by ageing in large oak casks or small barrels to enhance structure and complexity while preserving the wine’s fruit purity and freshness.
Ageing Potential
Enjoyable upon release, yet capable of developing greater depth and richness over 5–7 years, revealing tertiary notes of leather, tobacco, and dried fruits.
Food Pairing
Pairs beautifully with grilled and roasted meats, hearty pasta dishes, game, aged cheeses, and Mediterranean cuisine. Its rich structure and smooth tannins make it versatile for festive meals as well as everyday dining.
Fun Fact
Negroamaro translates to "black and bitter," a nod to its deep color and robust, often tannic character, and it was likely brought to Italy's Puglia region by ancient Greek colonists about 3,000 years ago.
Discover more about the producer: Marmorelle
CAVALLOTTO LANGHE DOC NEBBIOLO
Pronunciation: “Neb-bee-oh-lo”
Grape
100% Nebbiolo, a noble grape variety of Piedmont, known for its aromatic complexity, firm tannins, and aging potential.
Region
Produced in the Langhe area, Piedmont, Italy, a hilly region with well-drained calcareous soils and a climate that combines warm days and cool nights, ideal for Nebbiolo ripening.
Tasting Notes
The wine has a bright ruby red appearance, which may develop garnet highlights as it ages. On the nose, it offers aromas of red cherry, rose petals, dried herbs, and subtle tar. On the palate, it is medium-bodied, with firm yet elegant tannins, balanced acidity, and a lingering, mineral-driven finish.
Vinification & Ageing
Fermentation is carried out with native yeasts, typically in stainless steel or temperature-controlled tanks. The wine is then aged in large Slavonian oak casks (botti) or small oak barrels, depending on the vintage, allowing slow maturation that preserves Nebbiolo’s delicate aromatics.
Ageing Potential
Enjoyable young for its fruit, but can develop additional complexity over 5–10 years, depending on vintage and storage.
Food Pairing
Pairs excellently with risottos, roasted meats, truffle dishes, and aged cheeses, highlighting the wine’s elegance and structure.
Fun Fact
Cavallotto is a family-owned estate since 1928, known for producing authentic, terroir-driven Nebbiolo wines with minimal intervention, emphasizing the true character of Langhe soils.
Discover more about the producer: Cavallotto
