Tenute Rubino, Salento IGT (Puglia, Italy) 2013

Torre Testa was the winery’s first release of a Susumaniello wine.  It is made from older vines, some of which were planted in the 1930s.  It is appassimento style, made from late harvested grapes dried for two to three weeks before fermentation.  It spends 12 months in French barriques and another 12 in bottle before release.  As you might expect, it is a rich and serious wine with flavors of blackberry preserves, baking spices and a touch of dark chocolate.  Acidity keeps the intense flavors bright and ripe tannins provide a solid structure.