Winery / Producer: Leone de Castris (Historical winemakers since 1665).

Region of Origin: I.G.T. Salento, Apulia (Puglia), Italy.

Grape Variety: 100% Primitivo.

Wine Type: Still red wine, high-end varietal.

Sweetness Classification: Dry.

Winemaking: Grapes are harvested at their optimal fruit ripeness. A prolonged skin maceration is carried out at a strictly controlled temperature (24°C - 26°C) for a period of 10 to 12 days to extract the full polyphenolic and color potential of the variety. After alcoholic fermentation, complete malolactic fermentation is induced in stainless steel tanks to soften the acids. The wine briefly matures in tanks and is then refined in the bottle before distribution.

Alcohol Content: 14.0% Vol.

Serving Temperature: 16°C - 18°C (It is advisable to open 15 to 20 minutes before serving).

SKU / MPN: IT-LC-ILLIVIA-PM-750ML

Appearance: In the glass, it displays an imposing and deep dense ruby red color with bright and intense purplish and garnet reflections at the edges, reflecting its remarkable concentration.

Nose: An exuberant, complex, and deeply seductive olfactory display. Rich notes of plum jam, ripe black cherries, dried figs, and candied forest fruits immediately stand out. As it evolves in the glass, sophisticated hints of fine cocoa, vanilla, licorice, subtle sweet spices, and a very elegant slight balsamic and toasted nuance emerge.

Palate: Robust, unctuous, and supremely enveloping entry. It unfolds with a strictly dry profile but with a supremely sweet sensation due to the ripeness of its fruit. It has a full body and extremely silky, velvety, and round tannins. Its balanced acidity provides the ideal freshness to balance its alcoholic warmth. The finish is extraordinarily prolonged, unctuous, and pleasant, with an aftertaste dominated by dark fruits and subtle spicy notes.

Precision Gourmet Pairing: The imposing structure, body, and ripe fruitiness of this Primitivo make it an exceptional gastronomic label for robust dishes. It harmonizes celestially with cuts of red meat with pronounced marbling (such as a grilled Rib Eye or New York steak), beef stews, oven-roasted lamb with fine herbs, and barbecue pork ribs. It is the supreme ally of Italian cuisine with character: truffle sauce pasta, dense Bolognese lasagna, ossobuco, and artisan pizzas with cold cuts. It also extraordinarily complements aged and intense cheeses (such as aged Parmigiano Reggiano or cured Manchego) and high-end smoked sausages.

Suggested Moments:

• Gourmet Barbecue: The definitive label to elevate a weekend barbecue. Its voluptuous body and polished tannins perfectly envelop the fat and juiciness of the best grilled cuts.
• Family Meal (The Grand Feast): Ideal for presiding over the table at large Sunday or Christmas gatherings, pairing versatilely and opulently with intense main courses and baked pasta dishes.
• Business: Serving a premium Primitivo from a winery with the historical prestige of Leone de Castris projects personality, solidity, and excellent connoisseurship, ideal for highly relevant business meals.
• Special Celebration: The ideal wine to frame memorable moments such as anniversaries, promotions, or birthdays, bringing an imposing and sophisticated presence to every toast.
• The Perfect Gift: It constitutes a high-end and indisputably successful gift for connoisseurs and enthusiasts of Italian wine who appreciate the aromatic and structural opulence of the great Primitivos of Apulia.

What is the specific origin and winery of this red wine?

This extraordinary red is crafted by the mythical and centuries-old winery Leone de Castris, founded in 1665. Its specific origin is the emblematic Salento peninsula, located in the sunny wine region of Apulia (Puglia), in the heel of Italy.

Is this wine dry, semi-dry, or sweet?

The Illivia Primitivo Rosso is a strictly dry wine. It offers mature fruitiness and an opulent palate that may suggest initial aromatic sweetness, but it lacks residual sugars, finishing cleanly, elegantly, and balanced.

Is it recommended to decant this Primitivo before serving?

Although it has very polished and amiable tannins, due to its great fruit concentration and aromatic complexity, it is recommended to uncork the bottle 15 to 20 minutes before consumption or use an aerator in the glass to allow it to fully express its bouquet.

What is the optimal aging potential for this red wine?

Thanks to its excellent structure, alcohol content, and polyphenolic concentration, this wine evolves magnificently in the bottle. It can be enjoyed immediately for its exuberant fruitiness or stored in optimal cellar conditions for the next 4 to 6 years.