LEONE DE CASTRIS
VILLA SANTERA PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA
PUGLIA • WINE FROM ITALY
"The ultimate and most aristocratic expression of Manduria. A dry red wine of imposing volume, warmth, and complexity, masterfully sculpted by Leone de Castris with historical expertise."
The Ultimate Expression of Apulia's Most Coveted Terroir
The Leone De Castris Villa Santera, Puglia Red Wine - Wine from Italy is a bottled work of art that represents the pinnacle of the Primitivo grape. Produced by the iconic and multi-centennial winery Leone de Castris, this red wine originates from the specific area of the celebrated Manduria, protected under one of Italy's most rigorous and prestigious Denominazioni di Origine Controllata (D.O.C.). It is a formally dry wine, made from selected vineyards that enjoy Apulia's intense sun and the refreshing sea breezes of the Ionian Sea. Villa Santera stands out for its imposing structure, voluptuous body, and subtle oak aging that integrates fine spicy notes into its powerful background of candied black fruits, delivering a truly majestic experience.
1. Technical Details
Winery / Producer: Leone de Castris (Elite Vintners in Apulia since 1665).
Region of Origin: D.O.C. Primitivo di Manduria, Apulia (Puglia), Italy.
Grape Variety: 100% Primitivo.
Wine Type: Still red wine with aging, high-end.
Sweetness Classification: Dry.
Vinification and Aging: Grapes are harvested manually at an advanced stage of ripeness. Controlled thermo-maceration is performed, followed by alcoholic fermentation at strict temperatures (24°C - 26°C) for a period of 10 to 14 days. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is transferred to oak barrels where it ages for at least 6 months, giving it roundness, longevity, and an unsurpassed velvety texture.
Alcohol Content: 14.5% Vol.
Serving Temperature: 16°C - 18°C (Decanting for 20 to 30 minutes before serving is recommended).
SKU / MPN: IT-LC-VSANTERA-PM-750ML
2. Luxury Tasting Notes
Appearance: Presents a deep, sumptuous ruby red color with great depth, and elegant, intense garnet and violet hues visible when tilting the glass.
Nose: Offers a complex, broad, and sophisticated aromatic spectrum. Distinct notes of dried plums, black cherry jam, and figs stand out, perfectly amalgamated with subtle spicy hints of vanilla, ginger, cloves, bitter cocoa, and a delicate smoky and balsamic background provided by its aging in noble wood.
Palate: Its entry is imposing, warm, and of great opulence. On the palate, it is strictly dry, displaying a robust, dense, and supremely balanced body. Its tannins are ample, ripe, and have a velvety texture. It possesses integrated acidity that refreshes the palate against its notable alcoholic volume. It culminates in a prolonged, majestic finish with an aftertaste seasoned with notes of baked forest fruits and fine sweet spices.
3. Wine Architecture
4. Recommended Moments and Pairings
Precision Gourmet Pairing: The enormous structure and complexity of this authentic Primitivo di Manduria demand dishes with high flavor concentration. It harmonizes celestially with premium red meat cuts with complex marbling (such as a grilled Tomahawk or Rib Eye), baked lamb ribs, major game stews, and slowly braised ossobuco. It is the ideal companion for heavily seasoned baked Italian pastas, beef lasagnas, and rich preparations with black truffle-based sauces. It pairs magnificently with intense, well-aged cheeses (such as Parmigiano Reggiano, aged Pecorino, or Gorgonzola) and fine smoked charcuterie.
Suggested Moments:
- Luxury Barbecue: The perfect wine to crown a gourmet barbecue. Its voluptuousness and tannic richness masterfully embrace the juices and fat of the best grilled cuts.
- Special Celebration: A sophisticated and award-winning bottle, ideal for uncorking at significant life milestones, important anniversaries, or gala dinners where one wishes to toast with the best of the Old World.
- Business (High-Stakes Dinners): Serving a Primitivo di Manduria from the historic Leone de Castris projects refined taste, solidity, and a great epicurean character, ideal for sealing major business deals.
frequently asked questions (FAQS)
What is the specific origin and winery of this red wine?
This distinguished wine is produced by the iconic and centuries-old winery Leone de Castris, founded in 1665. Its specific origin is strictly protected under the prestigious D.O.C. Primitivo di Manduria, located on the Salento peninsula, in the Apulia (Puglia) region, in the southernmost part of Italy.
Is this wine dry, semi-dry, or sweet?
The Villa Santera Primitivo di Manduria is a strictly dry wine. Although its rich aromas of black fruit jams and vanilla suggest a sweet entry, the wine has no residual sugars, finishing cleanly, balanced, and very sophisticated on the palate.
Why is the Primitivo di Manduria appellation so highly sought after?
The D.O.C. Primitivo di Manduria is considered the sacred terroir for this variety. The clay-limestone soil conditions, combined with the warm microclimate softened by the sea, allow the grape to concentrate exceptional aromatic richness, body, and alcohol content, giving rise to wines that are much more robust and complex than ordinary Primitivos.
Does this wine require decanting, and what is its aging potential?
Due to its enormous concentration and structure, it greatly benefits from prior decanting for 20 to 30 minutes to allow it to fully express itself. Regarding its aging potential, thanks to its ripe tannins and excellent structure, it will evolve excellently in a cellar for the next 5 to 8 years.
