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Red dry
Leone de Castris 50 Vendemia Salice Salentino Rosso Riserva DOC 2020 – an exceptional wine with a history that not only captivates with its elegance, but also symbolizes more than 50 years of winemaking traditions.
The wine has an intense fruity aroma, complemented by subtle notes of spices and smoke, highlighting the complexity and depth of this wine. The wine has soft tannins, a long aftertaste.
The vines are about 40 years old. The wine was macerated at a controlled temperature (20-22°C) for 8-12 days, which allowed for a richer taste and richer aromas. The wine was aged with yeast for about 12 months. in 30 hl oak barrels and 6 months. in the bottle.
Serve at 18 -20 °C with braised beef tails with plums, pasta with meat and forest mushroom sauce, grilled game sausages, and mature cheeses.
Attractive nose of ripe dark berries, cocoa, dark licorice and hints of crushed stones. It’s smooth and textural on the palate, with a very attractive fruit component. Rich but bright and very precise. Really well made. Drink now or hold.
Just a few steps from the Ionian Sea and the sunlit plateaus of Salento, in the heart of Apulia, lies the historic Leone de Castris winery – a true symbol of Italian winemaking, with a history dating back to the 17th century.
The winery was founded in 1665 by the Spanish nobleman Marquis Oronzo Arcangelo Maria Francesco Leone de Castris, who, enchanted by the Salento region, decided to establish a wine estate here. However, the true turning point came in 1925, when the winery became the first estate in Apulia to bottle its wine. Until then, wines from the region were sold in bulk as raw material.
The year 1943 marked a new era – it was then that Italy’s first bottled rosé wine, “Five Roses,” was introduced. It quickly became a successful export to the U.S. and is still regarded as a cult wine worldwide.
Wine Style
Leone de Castris wines are celebrated for their expressiveness and their ability to reflect the unique Apulian terroir. The rosés – especially “Five Roses” – are known for their deep color, vivid aromas of red berries, fruit, and roses, and a beautiful balance between freshness, acidity, and minerality. The estate’s old vines – some over 50 years old – contribute exceptional concentration and authenticity. The harvest is carefully done by hand to preserve the quality of each grape.
Iconic Vineyards
The winery oversees vineyards rooted in clay-rich soil, ideal for grape varieties such as ‘Negroamaro’ and ‘Malvasia Nera’.
Aging and Drinking Window
Leone de Castris wines are mostly aged in stainless steel tanks to preserve maximum freshness and aromatic clarity. Some red wines are matured in oak barrels, adding structure and complexity. Rosé wines are best enjoyed young, though premium bottles like “Five Roses Anniversario” also lend themselves well to aging.
Today, Leone de Castris remains one of the most prestigious wineries in Italy, masterfully blending tradition, innovation, and the cultural spirit of Salento.
