Cantele Salice Salentino Riserva

Cantele Salice Salentino Riserva is a Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera blend from Puglia, Italy, bottled at approximately 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. This Riserva expression earned 90 points from both Wine Spectator (2019 vintage) and Jeb Dunnuck (2022 vintage), and the 2009 vintage captured Gambero Rosso's prestigious Tre Bicchieri along with Best Value Wine honors in 2013.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~13.5%  |  Origin: Salice Salentino DOC, Puglia, Italy  |  Style: Riserva Red Blend  |  Winery: Cantele

Production & Heritage

Azienda Vinicola Cantele operates between Guagnano and Salice Salentino in the heart of Puglia's Salento peninsula. The Riserva undergoes 5–8 days of maceration followed by fermentation at a controlled 25–26°C, with malolactic fermentation completed in stainless steel to preserve varietal character. What distinguishes this wine from many regional peers is its restrained approach to oak: only about 20% of the blend matures in French oak barriques for a minimum of six months, while the remaining 80% stays in neutral vessels to maintain the Negroamaro grape's inherent freshness and fruit intensity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe Bing cherry and candied dark fruit before layering in tar, dried roses, and Mediterranean scrub. As it breathes, subtler notes of tea, amber, and light smokiness emerge.

Taste: On entry, bright red fruits—cherry, cranberry, and rhubarb—lead the way before giving way to denser, chewier blackberry and currant at mid-palate. Baking spices, toasted nuts, and a hint of black pepper build toward a well-balanced peak. The tannins are light and creamy, framing the fruit without overwhelming it.

Finish: Medium in length with a clean, gently toasted fade and lingering notes of iron, dried herbs, and dark cherry. The finish stays fresh and inviting rather than heavy, reflecting the limited oak influence.

How to Drink Salice Salentino Riserva

Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) with 20–30 minutes of breathing time; a short decant opens up the secondary spice and floral notes nicely. This Riserva is well-suited to three classic cocktail-adjacent uses: a Kalimotxo, where its bright cherry fruit cuts through cola's sweetness; a chilled Red Wine Spritz with sparkling water and an orange slice, leveraging the wine's inherent freshness; or a Sangria base, where the Negroamaro's dark fruit backbone and baking-spice character carry beautifully alongside fresh citrus and stone fruit.

Best For

• Introducing Italian wine lovers to southern Puglia's signature Negroamaro grape
• Pairing with a weekend Italian meat ragu or wood-fired pizza night
• Gifting someone who appreciates critically acclaimed, high-value reds
• Building out a collection of award-winning southern Italian wines at an accessible price point

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Salice Salentino Riserva taste like? Cantele's Riserva leads with bright cherry, cranberry, and blackberry fruit supported by baking spices, toasted nuts, and a touch of black pepper. The tannins are creamy and light, finishing clean with dried herbs and subtle smokiness.

How does Salice Salentino Riserva compare to Primitivo di Manduria? Both hail from Puglia and deliver rich, dark-fruited wines, but Cantele's Negroamaro-based Riserva tends toward brighter acidity, more herbal complexity, and lighter tannins than the typically denser, jammier Primitivo di Manduria. The restrained 20% oak aging here also keeps the profile more fruit-forward than many heavily oaked Primitivo expressions.

Is Salice Salentino Riserva good for sipping neat? Absolutely—its balanced structure, medium body, and creamy tannins make it a comfortable standalone pour, especially with a brief decant to open up the secondary aromas of tea, amber, and dried roses.

Where is Salice Salentino Riserva made? It is produced by Cantele at their winery located between Guagnano and Salice Salentino in the Salento peninsula of Puglia, southern Italy. The grapes are grown within the Salice Salentino DOC, one of Puglia's most established appellations for Negroamaro-based reds.

What foods pair well with Salice Salentino Riserva? Lamb chops with rosemary benefit from the wine's herbal undertones; slow-braised oxtail matches its dark-fruit density; aged pecorino cheese mirrors the toasted-nut character; grilled sausage with peppers complements the spice notes; and eggplant Parmigiana bridges the bright acidity and ripe fruit.

What sizes does Salice Salentino Riserva come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Salice Salentino Riserva worth the price? Cantele's Riserva positions squarely in the value-driven tier of Italian reds, punching well above its weight class. With 90-point scores from Wine Spectator and Jeb Dunnuck, plus a Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieri and Best Value Wine distinction, it consistently delivers Riserva-level complexity at an entry-level price.

Why Salice Salentino Riserva?

Cantele's decision to age only 20% of the blend in French oak barriques—while keeping the majority in neutral vessels—results in a Riserva that respects the Negroamaro grape rather than burying it under wood. That contemporary approach has drawn consistent critical recognition across multiple vintages and publications, from Wine Spectator to Gambero Rosso. For drinkers exploring Puglia beyond Primitivo, this bottling serves as a benchmark for what Salice Salentino DOC Negroamaro can deliver: bright southern Italian fruit, savory Mediterranean complexity, and real structure, all without heavy extraction or excessive oak.