P uer Apuliae was one of the names by which Frederick II was known. The 13th-century Swabian emperor had such a passion for this land that he built here his Castel del Monte, thus leaving for all humanity an indelible remembrance of himself. This wine, too, is called 'Son of Apulia', since it is produced from the most repesentative native red grape variety of north-central Apulia, the nero di Troia.

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GROWING AREA
Commune of Andria, in the "Castel del Monte" D.O.C. area.

GRAPE VARIETIES
100% nero di Troia 'ad acino piccolo' (small berry), one of the old clones specifically selected by Rivera for its vineyards.

VINEYARDS
Planted at an altitude of 250 metres on deep calcareous-tufa soils, and trained to spurred cordon at a vine density of 4,800 per hectare, it yields 70 q/h.

VINIFICATION
The grapes are picked between the last week of October and the first of November. Maceration in stainless steel lasts 20 days, for maximum extraction of aroma and colour compounds. Carefully-calculated pumpovers and microoxygenation effect a softening of the impressive complex of tannins.

MATURATION
After fermentation, the wine goes to new French oak barrels for 14 months, where it undergoes malolactic fermentation. The wine is bottle-aged, with no filtering or cold-stabilising, for 6 months before release.

TECHNICAL DATA
Alcohol 13.5%; total acidity 5.70 g/l; pH 3.45; residual sugar 2 g/l; extract 34 g/l; total S0₂ 85 mg/l.

TASTING NOTES
An impenetrably deep purple; rich, clean-edged aromas of dark fruit, violets, and star anise; very dense and concentrated in the mouth, with good development and length, and spicy dark fruit; the finish is laden with rich, soft tannins.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS
The wine's superb weight and full body, as well as its contemporary style, make it the perfect match for rich, savoury dishes containing fats, such as fine roasts, large game, meat dishes with hearty sauces, and aged cheeses. Serve at 18°-20°C, after allowing to breathe.

STORING
If stored correctly, Puer Apuliae's exceptional structure will enable it to age well in the bottle for 15-20 years.