This is fresh and balanced, with well-knit tannins framing flavors of ripe mulberry, grated orange zest, tarry smoke and dried cherry. Herb and spice notes linger on the finish. Drink now through 2020. 2,000 cases made, 100 cases imported.??–AN??Region: Italy / South / Puglia / Salice Salentino Select to Add

This herbaceous red features a core of crushed black cherry, charred herb and tobacco. A touch lifted, presenting a firm finish. Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera. Drink now. 2,500 cases made, 750 cases imported.??–NW??Region: Italy / South / Puglia / Salice Salentino Select to Add

The 2010 Salice Salentino is another attractive, entry-level offering from Rivera. Plums, sweet cherries, flowers, new leather and licorice flesh out in this supple, perfumed red. The 2010 is 90% Negroamaro and 10% Malvasia Nera. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2016. Rivera is one of the great estates in Italy. The estate excels with their reds, which are not only gorgeous in absolute terms, but also exceedingly fairly priced. Under the direction of proprietor Sebastiano de Corato, Rivera makes wines that capture the exuberance that Puglia is capable of, while maintaining a gorgeous sense of structure. Readers who want to discover the wines of Puglia would do well to start with Rivera. Importer: Bedford International, Larchmont, NY; tel. (914) 833-2725

The 2009 Salice Salentino is predominantly Negroamaro with a dash of Malvasia Nera. This is a fairly intense style of Salice Salentino, with gorgeous pluminess in its dark cherry fruit backed up by firm yet beautifully integrated tannins. Smoke, incense, leather and earthiness round out the generous, long finish. This is an insanely beautiful wine for the money. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2014. Rivera is one of the top names in Puglia. The entry-level wines generally deliver excellent value while the higher-end wines compete with the best in the region. Unfortunately I was not able to taste the 2006 Aglianico Cappellaccio, which the estate felt needed more time in bottle. Importer: Bedford International, Larchmont, NY; tel. (914) 833-2725