Tasted at Radici: Tenuta Giustini

Tentua Giustini was founded in 2005 by Maria Grazia Longo, whose family had made wine for generations but had always sold it in bulk. They have 15 hectares of vineyards, some quite old, planted to indigenous varietals; the vines that yield Primitivo Dolce are trimmed in the Alberello style and the rest to the double cordon spur system.

Tenuta Giustini Vecchio Sogno Negroamaro Salento IGT 2009
This is their mainstay; it's deep black cherry ruby with black reflections, and has an elegant nose with berry fruit and floral accents, mingled with menthol and graphite shavings. Cheeky, like a smiling child. On the palate it's medium bodied and rich, with pleasant berry fruit supported by moderate acidity and tannins that are smooth and balsamic, with some sandalwood warmth, and flow into a long warm slightly balsamic finish. Very approachable, with a touch more acidity and tannin than some would want in a wine to drink by the glass, though not me. It will work very well with drier meats.
2 stars

Tenuta Giustini Patú Salento IGT 2010
Deep brick ruby. The bouquet has cherry fruit with savory spice, some plum, and considerable freshness with hints of menthol and a fair amount of alcohol that confers sweetness. On the palate it's full and graceful, with plum prune fruit supported by some balsamic notes and smooth sweet tannins that flow into a long warm rather balsamic prune finish. Pleasant and well defined; it will drink very well with drier meats.
2 stars

Tenuta Giustini L'Arcano Primitivo Dolce Naturale Puglia IGT 2010
Deep brick ruby with cherry rim. The bouquet is spicy and moderately sweet, with some graphite shavings and spice -- not as sweet as I would expect a Primitivo Dolce to be. On the palate the sweetness is there, however, somewhat diarticulated from the prune fruit, which is supported by balsamic tannins that flow off into a balsamic prune laced finish. It's going in two different directions, with a finish quicker than I might have liked, and though one can say it needs time to come together, it will never display the baroque opulence I associate with Primitivo Dolce.
1 star