Altemura (pronounced Al-teh-moo-rah) means "high walls"; this wine was named in reference to the high, stone walls, which were used to protect the estate from invaders.

VINTAGE
2011

APPELLATION
Primitivo di Manduria DOC

AREA
Agro di Torre di Santa Susanna, Salento

GRAPES
100% Primitivo di Manduria

TASTING DESCRIPTORS
Altemura has a dark ruby-red color, accented by violet hues. The nose shows peppery notes, combines with more complex aromas of wild berries, forest floor, and cloves. The palate is warm with a silky, layered finish.

VINTAGE
Compared with past years, 2011 was a unique vintage mainly due to the ample winter rainfall, which was polarized by remarkably high temperatures in the spring. The summer was characterized by surprisingly cool nights – approximately 59°F – while the day temperatures reached between 86°F and 95°F. The vintage was dry and devoid of almost any rain, with the exception of a brief wet spell in mid-August, which assisted in the development of the vines. Therefore, these Primitivo di Manduria grapes are more elegant with greater acidity, enabling longer bottle aging.

VINEYARDS
The vineyards are nestled in the heart of the region of Puglia. The land itself sits at an elevation of 230 ft above sea level, and the soil is a mixture of clay and chalky gravel. Because it is situated between the Ionian and Adriatic Seas, the estate experiences a maritime climate, which is characterized by warm days, cool nights, and northerly winds. Temperatures range on average from 48°F in the winter and 80°F in the summer. Our Primitivo di Manduria grapes are trained following the Guyot method.

WINEMAKER'S NOTES
"Before being harvested, the grapes matured on the vine until October. Once they were matured, they were hand-selected and delicately pressed. The must obtained underwent fermentation for 21 days under controlled temperatures, ranging from 77°F to 82°F. When vinification was completed, the wine aged for fourteen months in 350-liter French tonneau, which was then followed by an aditional period of aging in bottle before being released." – Winemaker, Antonio Cavallo

SERVING TEMPERATURE
61°F - 64°F

ALCOHOL LEVEL
14.5%

BOTTLE SIZE
750 mL