2024 Masca del Tacco - Puglia IGT Susumaniello Rosso (750ml)

Masca del Tacco is based in Erchie, in Puglia's Brindisi province, where founder Felice Mergè, working alongside his father Armando, purchased and restored a historic communal winery building dating to 1949. Renamed Masca del Tacco in 2010, the estate combines that restored, century-old setting with modern winemaking equipment, focusing on native Apulian grapes such as Negroamaro, Primitivo, Uva di Troia, and Susumaniello rather than the international varieties more common elsewhere in Italy.

Susumaniello is itself a story of revival: at one point fewer than fifteen hectares of the grape remained planted anywhere in the world, and it has only recently returned to prominence thanks to producers like Masca del Tacco. The variety thrives in the warm, Mediterranean climate of the Salento peninsula, where sea breezes from both the Adriatic and Ionian moderate the heat and limestone-rich soils lend the wines a mineral edge. After fermentation, the wine ages in a combination of oak and stainless steel to build texture while keeping the fruit at the forefront.

The wine pours a deep ruby red with violet highlights, showing aromas of blueberry, black cherry, and blackberry alongside warming spice, tobacco, and light earthiness. The palate is full bodied, with smooth, ripe tannins and a touch of vanilla. It pairs well with spicy grilled sausage, tomato-based pasta, or aged provolone.