Feudo Monaci Salice Salentino

[Innkeeper]

2002 Feudo Monaci, Salice Salentino, Rosso ($8.99 Local Supermarket). Alcohol 13%. It is 80% Negroamaro and 20% Malvasia rosso without a trace of Primitivo. This seems to be the blend and price of SS these days. This one did the job nicely. Gave plums and lusty black fruit on the nose and tongue tip. More of the same, with musty earthy, controlled oak, and slightly chewey tannin across the palate, and a respectable finish.

Matched nicely as we hoped with penne in pesto, broiled local garlic sausages, and salad in blue cheese dressing. Suspect that was our last pesto of the season; sigh!

[Thomas]

I could be wrong, but I don't think Salice was ever known for primitivo in the blend.

[Innkeeper]

The Albarossa we got from Roberto back in '01 had it: http://wines.com/ubb2/Forum13/HTML/000203.html

[Thomas]

IK, the following is taken from comprehensive information about Italian wines by the DOC.

"Salice Salentino, in red and rosé versions, is made from Negro Amaro, for the most part, and Malvasia Nera di Brindisi and Malvasia Nero di Lecce."

[Innkeeper]

Not trying to get into an argument about; it was just that the first ones we had had it. Happy with the ones we've had since without it.

[Thomas]

IK, why do you think this is an argument? View it as information, which is what it is.

[Botafogo]

Thomas, like most DOCs, the rules also allow some small percentage of "other" grapes and Palama sometimes puts a little Primitivo in some of his.

I would also note that we have been able to get the SS down to $5.99 and the Copertino down to $6.99 since you bought that 1998 from us. That still makes it $8.99 landed in Maine though...

[This message has been edited by Botafogo (edited 09-17-2004).]

[Thomas]

I know that Roberto, but generally the amount does not affect the wine much, and if it does, it's likely more than the legal limit; most producers don't mention it on the label--why else would they have a DOC system to protect us???

Where have you been lately?Resting or sparring? Look for my article in Decanter. I don't know when, actually don't even know if they will print it, but they did commission it from me. It's about niche wine retailing in NYCity and it's due for submission in October--maybe for December/January issue.

[This message has been edited by foodie (edited 09-18-2004).]

[Innkeeper]

Another bottle tonight with much the same meal. How? Well, I found a half portion of pesto in the freezer that was at least two years old! It was frozen without the cheese, garlic, salt, and cream. These were added back tonight. Result? Better than canned pesto.