Salice Salentino Riserva Donna Lisa (2012)
SommeliAI Insights
A full-bodied red wine with rich flavors of dark berries, vanilla, and licorice.
About this wine
The 2012 Salice Salentino Riserva 'Donna Lisa' from Leone de Castris is a robust red wine crafted from 90% Negroamaro and 10% Malvasia Nera grapes. It presents a deep ruby red color with garnet highlights. On the nose, it offers aromas of blueberries and blackcurrant jam, complemented by hints of vanilla, licorice, and a subtle toasted note. The palate is full-bodied and velvety, featuring smooth, elegant tannins. This wine undergoes a meticulous aging process, spending 18 months in French oak barrels followed by an additional 6 months in the bottle, enhancing its complexity and depth.
About the grape
Negroamaro, meaning "black and bitter," is a dark-skinned grape native to Italy's Puglia region, particularly the Salento peninsula. It's known for producing deeply colored wines with earthy bitterness. Malvasia Nera, also from Italy, is often blended with Negroamaro to add aromatic richness and soften the wine's profile. In the Salice Salentino region, these two grapes are traditionally combined, with Negroamaro providing structure and Malvasia Nera enhancing the wine's fragrance. This blend has been a hallmark of the area's winemaking, creating wines that reflect the region's unique terroir.
Quick facts
- 🍇 The Salice Salentino Riserva 'Donna Lisa' 2012 is crafted from 90% Negroamaro and 10% Malvasia Nera grapes, indigenous to Italy's Puglia region.
- 🛢️ This wine undergoes a meticulous aging process, spending at least 18 months in French oak barriques, followed by a minimum of 6 months in the bottle, enhancing its complexity and depth.
- 👃 The 'Donna Lisa' offers a rich bouquet with aromas of blueberries, blackcurrant jam, vanilla, and licorice, providing a sensory delight.
- 🍷 On the palate, it presents a full-bodied, velvety texture with elegant tannins, delivering a harmonious and satisfying experience.
- 🏰 The Leone de Castris winery, established in 1665, is renowned for producing Italy's first bottled rosé wine, 'Five Roses,' in 1943, showcasing a legacy of innovation and quality.
Palate profile
Producer
Leone de Castris, established in 1665 by Duke Oronzo of the Counts of Lemos, is one of Italy's oldest wineries, located in Salice Salentino, Puglia. In 1943, it produced 'Five Roses,' the first bottled rosé in Italy, which gained international acclaim. The winery has been instrumental in promoting Salento's indigenous grape varieties and continues to be family-run, now under the leadership of Piernicola Leone de Castris. It also features a wine museum and the Villa Donna Lisa hotel, offering visitors a comprehensive wine experience.
