Lying deep in the warmth of southern Italy, Puglia is a haven for authentic, rich reds that exceed expectations without breaking the bank. Our buyer, Leo, took great pleasure in reserving this wine, named after its talented winemaker Leonardo Palumbo. Winemaker Leo says it’s a rule of his family that you only put your name on the label of a wine you’re really delighted with. And he is!

This wine showcases a luscious, smooth blend of Puglia’s finest red grapes. Nero di Troia for elegant peppery fruit, Negroamaro for deep colour, ripe plum hints and structure, and Primitivo for damson hints and deeper bass notes. Together, they make the perfect ensemble – dark, ripe deliciousness. Best with grilled meats or a hearty veggie casserole.

Tenuta Prima Pietra was founded in 2002 by Massimo Ferragamo, who searched out the highest land possible (450 metres above sea level) in coastal Tuscany, near the beautiful medieval village of Riparbella, just north of Bolgheri. He wanted his wine to benefit from the purity and freshness gained from the cooler, elevated site, where the sunshine is hot and intense during the day, and temperatures drop sharply at night.

The 100% certified organic vineyards overlooking the sea are comprised of 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot, ratios which mirror the portions used in the final ‘Super Tuscan' blend. Hand-picked, each batch was vinified separately, then blended and matured in luxury French oak for 18 months. The end result? This exquisitely rich and lavish wine, boasting 93pts from The Wine Advocate, 95pts from Falstaff Magazine and an impressive 96pts from James Suckling.

"Fabulous red with bright aromas of dark berries, mint, spices and blueberries. Best wine ever from here… 96pts" (James Suckling)

Prima Pietra embodies complexity and elegance, the highest expression of the potential of the terroir. "Elegance, attention to detail and quality, refined simplicity and a love of the land are the hallmarks of Prima Pietra, and pair with my sense of style too," says Massimo Ferragamo. This luxury collector's red, which appears on some of the finest wine lists, is one you must have for your cellar.

Founded in 1965 by Alfo Bartolommei, this remarkable family estate is one of the region’s star performers. It used to be part of the great Pieve Santa Restituta and is also a neighbour to the renowned Soldara. All in all, with its 21 hectares of vines, the property is perfectly situated to produce some of the very finest Brunellos. Every vintage, their wines gain top scores. Alfo’s three children – Paolo, Paola and Manuele – now run the estate, with grandson Giacomo as winemaker. They’ve been ratcheting up the quality in recent years, so it's remarkable how this domaine has remained relatively under the radar. Despite his youth and dynamism, Giacomo keeps methods fairly traditional, as well as organic. This is a mesmerising, complex red.