Casa Girelli Canaletto Primitivo 2000

Casa Girelli Canaletto Primitivo (Puglia, Italy) 2000: A deep, youthful garnet red hue. The nose takes some time to open out to its full potential, but it is worth the wait, as it offers up multiple, complex aromas of dark, ripe fruits, with nuances of rubber and liquorice, which give way to more dominating aromas of smoke and charcoal. More than a match for the nose, the palate is similarly impressive. Plenty of body and extract, full bodied, with plenty of spice and blackberry fruit flavour. Just a moderate amount of grip, with approachable tannins cut through by some brilliant acidity, make this wine delicious to drink now. What a delight. Very good. (2/5/03)