Query on Pugliese Wine

A number of years ago I discovered and subsequently purchased and enjoyed a tremendously powerful red wine called Patriglione from the Puglia region of Italy (Brindisi as I recall). It was produced by Dr. Cosimo Taurino (since deceased I believe), who also made a more popular Salice Salentino and a single-vineyard Notarpanaro. While i have recently seen the latter two (the Notarpanaro only in a fairly old vintage, c. 2004), I have been unable to locate or find out about the current availability of the Patriglione. Does anyone have any experience with or information about that wine? Thanks!

[Jenise]

So we meet again; welcome!

I don't blame you for being haunted by Patriglione, I was when I first had it in the early 90's and Canadian friends have poured bottles for me more recently but I've never seen it for sale myself outside of where I first bought it, which was in Alaska. On your behalf I just used Winesearcher to check out possible sources, and vintages 2000 and 2001 only showed up at just four sources, all east coast. MacArthur's in DC (highest price, about $53), Bedford Wine Merchants in New Jersey and the best prices on both at the Saratoga Wine Exchange in NY ($35 for the 00, $43 for the 01). So it's around; I would think anyone who sells the lesser bottlings would be able to special order this one for you.

I did hear some comments about the wines going into a dip, but no personal experience. I picked up a bottle of the 97 Patriglione in Ostuni and it came across as simultaneously fine and yet with that regional warm figginess.

Even despite those comments, I'd certainly buy another bottle if I saw it.

Golly, I love the Patriglione. And drank way more than my fair share of Notarpanaro back in the day. Now I haven't had a Notarpanaro for a while, and don't know the last time I saw the Patriglione. So I don't know what happened either. Shame they're not more widely available. Hope the good Doctor's death didn't end the quality run at the winery.

[Jenise]

Hope the good Doctor's death didn't end the quality run at the winery.

Dr. Taurino and his wife actually toured Alaska. A lot of people came there out of curiosity about the state itself, but he was also curious about why his brand sold SO much wine there. He was unusually tall for an Italian, and had a strong presence. Didn't speak a word of English but I don't recall that being a problem after a few bottles. Most notably, he made us drink the Patriglione with plain chocolate cake.

Way cool you got a chance to meet the Doctor...and in Alaska too.

Yeah, back when I was corporate and Alaska was part of my territory, we often had Euro suppliers who were fascinated by Alaska and finagled opportunities to get up there.

Speaking of Alaska, looks like I'll be going again. Some calls for training have resulted in me scheduling a Fairbanks---Juneah---Anchorage trip in October. It will be grueling, but good to get back to old haunts briefly.

And if Sarah isn't campaigning down South maybe I can get together with the Palins!!!!