If you love bold, flavor-packed Italian reds, Massaro del Fondo is one you won’t want to miss. It’s a luxuriously rich Primitivo blend, made using the appassimento method with air-dried grapes from Puglia. In the glass, look forward to flavors of black plum, black cherry and cassis.

The name Massaro del Fondo is loosely translated from the Puglian dialect––it means “caretaker of the farm.” As the back label will tell you, “The Massaro is an expert in all the secrets of the land, and knows that it needs constant care.”

To achieve the perfect passito, weeks are spent combing through rows and rows of ancient vines (planted in the traditional albarello method), looking for just the right bunches of grapes. Once selected, the grapes are cordoned off so they won’t be harvested …and then comes the waiting.

About 20 days after all the other grapes have been picked, these hand-selected bunches still hang from the vine––each grape becoming a raisined knot of extremely concentrated flavor. The wine that results from their unique sapid character shows off an inky black color, with gorgeous aromas and flavors of black plum jam, black cherry, blackberry and elegant, spicy notes. And it’s oh-so rich. Top Italian critic Luca Maroni called a previous vintage “an absolute ace…one of the best Italian red wines of the year.” This release is just as remarkable.

Hurry for your share––and pair with roasted red meats, grilled pork or hearty pasta.