2020 Cantina di Ruvo Terre Del Crifo Nero di Troia

From the heel of Italy, in Puglia, comes this ancient local variety Nero di Troia, one of the regions most often underused, but powerful red wines.

This foray into the 'black grape of Troy' comes from the winery Cantina della Riforma, or locally known as Grifo. We were first alerted to Grifo from the website Tastings.com who awarded Grifo's Nero di Troia a massive 97 points and a Platinum medal. While that vintage was long sold out, we managed to get our hands on the follow-up release, which in our eyes, was every bit as good as its predecessor.

Based in Ruvo, not far from the Mediterrenean sea, Grifo as founded on the principle of being a co-operative for all the local grape-growers to join forces. And so, in 1960, over 1000 local families and partners combined their experience and viticultural knowledge to create the ultimate regional winery. The wines are kept fresh and unctuous, with the combination of the local sea-breezes, and free draining rocky soils keeping the wines cool and in balance.

This Nero di Troia is an absolute bargain, and with the seal of approval from Italian wine identity, Luca Maroni, who awarded the wine 98 points and said 'mint, blackberry and spice wrap and caress the palate with endless harmony' we are excited to offer it for the first time in Australia.

If you love earthen, cool-climate Syrah, with the tannin and power of Piedmont and the sweet, succulence of Primitivo, then this will be a wine for you. Exceptional value.