{"title":"Cantele","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"cantele-primitivo","title":"Cantele Primitivo","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCantele Primitivo\u003c\/strong\u003e is a 100% Primitivo red wine from Puglia's Salento region, bottled at 14% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Sourced from vines up to 65 years old and aged six months in American oak, the 2019 vintage earned 90 points and a Top Value designation from Wine Spectator, while the same vintage took Gold at the China Wine \u0026amp; Spirits Awards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 14%  |  Origin: Salento IGT, Puglia, Italy  |  Varietal: 100% Primitivo  |  Producer: Cantele Azienda Vinicola, Guagnano\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCantele Azienda Vinicola is a family-run estate based in Guagnano, in the Lecce province of Puglia, southern Italy. The Primitivo grapes are sourced from old vines — some reaching 65 years of age — and undergo destemming and crushing followed by a 5- to 7-day maceration on the skins, with fermentation conducted at a controlled 22–24°C. The wine then rests for six months in American oak barriques, building structure without overwhelming the fruit. Notably, Cantele adds even fewer sulfites than the legal organic threshold, resulting in a clean, expressive wine that lets the varietal character speak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e The nose opens with morello and sour cherry, followed by darker notes of prune and raisin. Underneath, floral hints mingle with wild herbs, licorice, and a distinctive spearmint lift that adds freshness to the bouquet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e The entry is generous with ripe, boozy cherry and macerated pomegranate fruit. At mid-palate, chocolate and warm spice develop alongside a surprising acidity that keeps the wine balanced and lively. Dark plums and a medicinal-cola nuance — reminiscent of Dr Pepper, as noted by critics — emerge toward the peak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium in length with gentle, well-integrated tannins and an umami-tinged close. Lingering cherry and licorice fade slowly, leaving a dry, savory impression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Cantele Primitivo\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Primitivo drinks well at a light cellar temperature around 16–18°C, either neat in a large-bowled glass or with a brief 15-minute decant to open up the oak-influenced layers. It also adapts easily to cocktail and mixed-drink formats:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKalimotxo:\u003c\/strong\u003e The wine's ripe cherry and cola-like undertones make it a natural fit for this red wine and cola combination popular across the Mediterranean.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRed Wine Sangria:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dark fruit and spice hold up against citrus and brandy without losing their identity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMulled Wine:\u003c\/strong\u003e The licorice, chocolate, and plum notes intensify beautifully when warmed with cinnamon, star anise, and orange peel.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroducing a Zinfandel drinker to its Italian genetic twin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeknight pasta dinners that deserve a step up from table wine\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilding a case of reliable, high-scoring everyday reds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting someone curious about southern Italian wines\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Cantele Primitivo taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e It leads with ripe morello cherry, chocolate, and licorice, supported by gentle tannins and impressive acidity. Dark plum, wild herbs, and a subtle umami character round out the profile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Cantele Primitivo compare to California Zinfandel?\u003c\/strong\u003e Primitivo and Zinfandel are genetically the same grape — confirmed by DNA profiling at UC Davis in 1994 — but Cantele's expression is typically leaner and more mineral-driven, with restrained oak and lower residual sugar compared to many fruit-forward California Zinfandels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Cantele Primitivo good for sipping neat?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes, its balanced acidity, soft tannins, and layered dark fruit make it an easy, rewarding glass on its own, especially after a short decant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Cantele Primitivo made?\u003c\/strong\u003e It is produced by Cantele Azienda Vinicola in Guagnano, within the Lecce province of Puglia, southern Italy, and carries the Salento IGT designation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Cantele Primitivo?\u003c\/strong\u003e Orecchiette with sausage ragu complements the wine's spice and dark fruit. Grilled lamb chops mirror its herbal, savory finish. Aged pecorino cheese echoes its umami undertones. Pizza Margherita provides a simple, classic match for the cherry-forward palate. Dark chocolate desserts harmonize with the wine's cocoa and licorice notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Cantele Primitivo come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e It is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Cantele Primitivo worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e It positions squarely as a value-tier Primitivo, reinforced by Wine Spectator's Top Value designation on the 90-point 2019 vintage — delivering old-vine complexity and oak aging at a price well below most comparable expressions from Puglia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Cantele Primitivo?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOld-vine Primitivo aged in American oak at this price point is uncommon; the fact that vines reach up to 65 years of age adds a layer of concentration and depth that younger plantings simply cannot match. Consistent critical recognition — 90 points and Top Value from Wine Spectator, Gold from the CWSA, and Silver from the Decanter World Wine Awards across multiple vintages — confirms this is not a one-off success but a reliably well-made bottling. The estate's decision to keep sulfite levels below even the organic legal limit further distinguishes the wine in a crowded Puglia market. For anyone seeking an authentic, well-priced southern Italian red that punches above its weight class, Cantele's Primitivo makes a compelling case.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cantele","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44837045010601,"sku":"25503","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/cantele_primitivo__98324.jpg?v=1730477364"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/cantele.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}