A rich, supple red, with fine tannins framing the tarry underpinning and flavors of raspberry coulis, black olive tapenade, singed orange peel and ground pink peppercorn. Offers a lasting, spiced finish. Drink now through 2022. 1,600 cases made, 200 cases imported.??–AN??Region: Italy / South / Puglia / Salento Select to Add

A rugged red, with sinewy tannins fleshed out and integrated with dried cherry and seared mushroom flavors and abundant aromatics of fresh ground spice, leather, graphite and forest floor. Drink now through 2021. 1,600 cases made, 200 cases imported.??–AN??Region: Italy / South / Puglia / Salento Select to Add

The 2010 Primitivo Salento Montecoco is much more typical of the grape than the entry-level Orion bottling. Plums, black cherries, licorice, spices and tar burst from the glass in this exuberant, flashy Primitivo. Sweet floral notes add lift and brightness on the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2014. Li Veli is one of the most exciting wineries to come on the scene in the last few years. The Falvo family has done a great job ratcheting up the quality following their sale of Avignonesi in Montepulciano. As has been the case since Li Veli was founded, many of the gems in this range are found at the more modest price points. Importer: Dalla Terra, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-5405

Game, dark plum sauce and smoke notes mix on a full-bodied frame. Astringent tannins dominate the finish. Drink now. 2,500 cases made, 50 cases imported.??–NW??Region: Italy / South / Puglia / Salento Select to Add

The 2009 Primitivo Salento Montecoco is a gorgeous wine for the money. It shows lovely juiciness and plenty of varietal character while avoiding the excessive heaviness that plagues so many of its peers. A blast of dark red fruit punctuates the exuberant finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017. This is a promising set of wines from Li Veli. It will be interesting to see what the Falvo family comes up with now that they have fully exited Avignonesi and are free to focus on their Puglia property. This year I tasted two new sweet wines that are clearly modeled on the legendary wines the family made at Avignonesi, but with much shorter aging.Importer: Dalla Terra, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-5405