A pure expression of Negroamaro, the Cantele 2015 Salice Salentino Riserva is the most stripped-down and simple of these wines presented by Cantele, located at the beautiful heart of the Salento. This wine opens to a dark ruby appearance with medium volume and texture, making it an easy go-to for an everyday eggplant pasta. The alcohol here clocks in at a merciful 13%, giving it a very approachable personality and pretty effortless sipping for a Riserva. It ages in neutral oak for six months. An ample 220,000 bottles were made, keeping the shelf price very low.

The 2014 Salice Salentino Riserva is a heavy and concentrated wine with prune, raisin and blackberry jelly. The wine is hearty and dense with sweet flavors on the finish that are interwoven tightly with equally savory characteristics. Despite those big bones, this wine from Cantele ultimately offers good balance and a very clean and correct drinking style. It a great value, too.

The Cantele 2013 Salice Salentino Riserva shows a greater level of depth and finesse compared to many of its peers. The wine is packed tight with blackberry fruit, with Maraschino cherry, plum and prune in abundance. The wine is chewy and rich for sure, but it also provides an authentic and generous portrait of a red wine from Puglia. A spicy beef or lamb dish would make the perfect pairing partner.

Dark and meaty in consistency, the 2012 Salice Salentino Riserva shows a jammy, rich personality with plenty of dark fruit, prune and blackcurrant. The fruit exhibits an evolved personality with more dried tones of raisins and prune than fresh fruit tones. Background notes of dark spice, leather and tobacco add layers of richness, complexity and power. The ripeness continues to the palate and is reinforced by soft tannins and sweet berry endnotes. The wine sees 12 months of oak, of which only 10% is new.

The 2007 Salice Salentino Riserva (85% Negroamaro, 15% Malvasia Nera) is a darker, richer wine that boasts incredible depth in its black fruit, chocolate and French oak. It, too, is a fabulous value. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2012. Importer: Vias Imports, New York, NY; tel. (212) 629-0200