Cantina Sociale Cooperativa, “Copertino” Riserva 2008 (about $14)
Italian Wine for september, 2018
This southern Italian wine is from the Cantina Sociale Cooperativa, a cooperative winery located in the commune of Copertino which is southwest of Lecce in the Puglia region. It was founded in 1935 by 36 vine growers with the goal of promoting the wines of their region while reducing their operating expenses through economies of scale. Its successful operations have attracted other producers and today the Cooperative has approximately 300 members and over a thousand acres under vine.
Despite the growth in size and scale of operations it remains a quality-focused operation that markets a small portfolio of red, white and rosé wines made primarily with local traditional varieties such as Negroamaro, Malvasia Nera, Primitivo and Malvasia Bianca.
The 2008 “Copertino” Riserva is a blend of 95 percent Negroamaro and 5 percent Malvasia Nera from vineyards of member estates. The grapes are harvested in mid-September, macerated on the skins for approximately one week, then vinified and aged in stainless steel tanks and then bottles for two years prior to release. The Negroamaro and Malvasia Nero varieties thrive in this rugged, sun-drenched appellation and produce wines with strong personalities and sense of place. The Copertino appellation was granted DOC status in 1976.
The wine is dark and inky with a purple tint on the edge. It opens with aromas of dried prunes, black pepper, blackberries, cedar and dried spices followed by a symphony of flavors of ripe dark cherries, black currants and kitchen spices as if stored in a cigar box. This medium-to-full-bodied wine is a rich, earthy and intense drinking experience with supportive acidity and an appealing touch of bitter black cherry on the grippy finish.
This is a wine that’s sure to impress with its personality and sense of place and is a lot of wine for a relatively modest price.
©Richard Marcis
September 10, 2018
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