Castello Monaci Primitivo Piluna 2023 750ml

Expert Review – Vintage 2023

James Suckling – 90 Points
Sour cherries, sultanas, dried oranges and sweet spices on the nose, followed by a medium- to full-bodied, jammy and lightly sweet-sour palate. Ripe tannins.

Winemaker's Notes

Broad, ripe black fruit and spice aromas, with notes of pepper, toasty vanilla and Mediterranean scrub. On the palate, the wine has a robust, concentrated character, a firm structure, and small black fruit and licorice notes on the aftertaste.

"Piluna" translates to "pot of clay" — an ancient vessel once used to store water or wine.

Terroir & Vinification

This 100% Primitivo is grown from vineyards surrounding the ancient Castello Monaci estate in Salento, Apulia. Soils are a blend of dry clay, volcanic gravel, and limestone, forcing vines deep in search of water — yielding low crops and rich, fragrant fruit.

Harvest is done by hand before dawn to preserve sugar levels and avoid the heat. Grapes are vinified in small stainless steel tanks, then aged 6 months in 75% stainless steel and 25% 2nd and 3rd use French oak. 300,000 bottles produced.