Primitivo del Salento "Prioris" Vinicola Cicella

The Primitivo del Salento “Prioris” is much more than just a wine: it is a journey back in time, a return to the flavours, aromas and traditions of old farmhouse (masseria) life. One of Vinicola Cicella’s most prestigious labels, made in only two vintages, it is a fragrant, sumptuous red of great structure, to be savoured in company on important celebrations. Ageing in wood enriches the bouquet without overpowering the fragrant, intense notes of ripe red fruit typical of the grape. 
Vinicola Cicella is a modern winery with ancient roots, where history, art and culture intertwine among the vineyards of Torricella, on the coast south of Taranto. The vines face north and grow on iron-rich red soils with clay, a distinctive, free-draining composition. They are traditionally bush-trained (alberello), a pruning method that keeps the quality of the harvested grapes high thanks to low yields of just 30 quintals per hectare. After the harvest, the berries are separated from the stalks and left to macerate with the must during alcoholic fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Once the process is complete, the wine ages for 12 months in tonneaux. In the glass, the Primitivo del Salento “Prioris” is ruby red, tending towards garnet as it ages in bottle; on the palate it has a decisive personality, dry, warm and very complex. The powerful fruit structure combines harmoniously with exuberant tannins, leading to an enveloping finish of cocoa and liquorice. The nose reveals ethereal notes, opening with fragrant hints of cherries in spirit and blackberry jam and closing with blueberries and currants, which define the rich aromatic profile of this wine. “Prioris” is recommended with roast meat dishes, tripe rolls or medium-aged cheeses.