The Santa Lucia 2015 Aleatico Gazza Rubina (375 ml) is a terrific find for those looking for offbeat dessert wines from the deep south of Italy. The red Aleatico grape has the thick skins and the natural sugar concentration to make excellent air-dried dessert wines. The fruit sees one month of appassimento in a well ventilated room before it is pressed. Power and character are the results, and the bouquet offers smokey tones of dried fruit, prune and spice. What sets this dessert wine apart is that it never tastes too heavy or thick.

The 2008 Aleatico Gazza Rubina (Aleatico) is an unsual, quirky dessert wine laced with dried cherries, sweet herbs, dried flowers and spices. This mid-weight, gracious red dessert wine offers lovely balance and a silky, elegant finish. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2013. Santa Lucia is a great starting place for readers seeking to discover the wines of Puglia. The wines are made in a rich, fruit-forward style. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including: de Grazia Imports; tel. (417) 732-4200; Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; (516) 677-9300, Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael CA; (415) 492-9411, Giuliana Imports, Boulder CO; (303) 547-6343, Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville IL; (630) 422-1119

The 2005 Aleatico Gazza Rubina from Santa Lucia is an exotic, quirky dessert wine. High-toned aromatics meld into sweet candied cherries, medicinal herbs and flowers as this medium-bodied wine opens up in the glass. This is an unusual but highly beautiful dessert wine. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2012. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700, and Estate Wines, Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 492-9411

The estate’s 2004 Aleatico Gazza Rubina is an exotic, sweet dessert wine. Dark macerated cherries, leather, spices and sweet medicinal herbs flow onto the palate as this pretty wine reveals its unique personality. This sweet dessert wine offers excellent persistence, well-integrated tannins and notable overall balance. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2012. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700, and Estate Wines, Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 492-9411