Carvinea is a small producer from Puglia. Its vineyard, Masseria Pezze D’Arena, is located close to Torre Quaceto, a protected marine area located on a peninsula extending into the Adriatic. This vineyard has been producing grapes since at least 1504. This wine is made from 100% Montepulciano, a varietal I think of as basically producing good pizza wine, thanks to my experience with Zonin’s mass produced specimens. This example however has some decent heft at 14% ABV but not showing any heat thanks to the generous fruit. The wine pours deep garnet red and exudes aromas of damson plum. On the palate, the wine is full bodied, rich and generous and redolent of plummy, cherry, blackberry fruit. The texture is plush with just enough fine tannins and acidity to hold it all together. Way more elegant than I expected. Not complex but a delicious mouthful. A lot of bang for the buck.