This is a Super-Puglian wine, a big boisterous blend of Aglianico, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is both accessible and elevated, with cassis, espresso, and toasted vanilla barrelling through the fleshy structure; There are also beautiful notes of wet earth and savory spices that open up through the finish.
This wine is made by Renzo Cotarella, the chief winemaker for Marchesi Antinori. Renzo is the man behind the entire Antinori wine empire, overseeing the company’s estates in Italy and California, including the Antica Napa Valley and the top-tier Super Tuscan Solaia.
It’s rare to find a wine at this price point made by such a legendary winemaker.
But what is a Trentangeli?
I found a mention in the 1859 Italian text Florilegio Drammatico.
casa di qualche amico con una bottiglia davanti, cosa ci guadagno io a voler sapere se realmente i Persi avevano trent’angeli nel loro eliso
The translation:
Home of a few friends with a bottle in front, what do I gain if I want to know if the Persians really had thirty angels in their elephant
Huh? Further research revealed that trent’ angeli are the ancient seaside towers in northern Puglia, facing the Adriatic. Still, I’d love to know how the Persians got thirty angels into their elephant.