Gregory Perrucci, the owner and operator of Felline, is more than a winemaker. He’s made a name for himself internationally through his research organization, Accademia dei Racemi. They were the first to champion the Primitivo grape in the Puglia region, previously only used to produce cheap bulk wine, and the first to commit serious effort to study the many facets of the area’s different soils. Led by Gregory, this innovative group of wineries and wines has shaped the culture of Southern Italian wine. It pushes the limits of the varietally correct expressions of their diverse grape varieties.

The 2021 Primitivo I Monili is a hearty wine made in a fresher style. Its bright, plummy, and blackberry notes will entice you. The structure is sound, and the finish is sturdy, with the hearty plummy fruit at its core. This is a big ol’ bbq wine from southern Italy. I lived here off and on for years. This wine is all about meat.