Product Summary

Schola Sarmenti Diciotto is one of Puglia's most extraordinary expressions of 100% Primitivo, crafted from 85-year-old Alberello-trained vines in the heart of Salento. Produced only in limited numbered bottles, this remarkable wine demonstrates the extraordinary concentration that old bush vines can achieve. Matured for 14 months in medium-toast French oak tonneaux followed by 12 months of bottle ageing, Diciotto is powerful yet remarkably composed, delivering richness without sacrificing elegance.

🍷 Tasting Notes: Intense aromas of ripe black cherry, blackberry and plum are lifted by balsamic herbs before unfolding into dark chocolate, espresso, toasted oak and sweet baking spices. The palate is luxuriously velvety, layered and concentrated, with remarkably refined tannins supporting its immense fruit weight. Despite its 18% alcohol, freshness and balance remain at the centre of the wine, leading to an exceptionally long finish.

🍽️ Food Pairings: Slow-cooked beef cheeks, dry-aged ribeye, venison, braised lamb shanks, mature Parmigiano Reggiano, wild mushroom risotto and rich tomato-based meat dishes.

🌡️ Serve at: 16–18°C (decant for at least one hour)

🍇 Grape: 100% Primitivo | Region: Salento, Puglia, Italy | Alcohol: 18%

Tasting Experience

Colour

Deep ruby with an almost opaque core and vibrant purple reflections, revealing exceptional concentration from old bush vines.

Aroma & Palate

The bouquet is immediately captivating, opening with ripe blackberry, black cherry and dark plum before revealing balsamic herbs, toasted oak, cocoa, espresso and sweet spice. As the wine evolves in the glass, hints of liquorice and Mediterranean herbs emerge, adding further complexity. The palate is dense, rich and layered, yet remarkably harmonious. Powerful fruit concentration is balanced by vibrant acidity, allowing the wine to remain elegant despite its remarkable structure.

Body

Full-bodied with an opulent, velvety texture. Fine-grained tannins provide remarkable structure while maintaining exceptional refinement.

Finish

Extraordinarily long, revealing waves of dark fruit, mocha, baking spices and toasted oak before finishing with persistent mineral freshness.

Why This Wine Matters

Many producers speak about old vines, but Diciotto is built entirely around them.

The wine comes from some of Schola Sarmenti's oldest 85-year-old Alberello vineyards, where every vine naturally produces tiny quantities of intensely concentrated fruit. Rather than chasing volume, the winery deliberately limits production and bottles Diciotto only in numbered, limited editions. This patient philosophy continues in the cellar, where extended maturation in French oak and bottle allows the wine to achieve extraordinary harmony before release.

The result is a Primitivo that challenges expectations. Instead of simply being powerful and alcoholic, Diciotto demonstrates that old-vine Primitivo can also possess elegance, freshness and remarkable ageing potential. It is one of the benchmark wines of modern Puglia and an excellent example of why Southern Italy is now producing some of Europe's most exciting premium reds.

Food Pairings

International

• Dry-aged ribeye steak
• Braised beef cheeks
• Roast venison
• Herb-crusted lamb
• Wild mushroom risotto

Singapore & Regional

• Beef rendang
• Black pepper beef
• Lamb shank curry
• Roast duck
• Wagyu hor fun

Technical Details

Closing Line

Diciotto proves that old-vine Primitivo can deliver extraordinary power, elegance and longevity, standing among the finest expressions of Southern Italy's most celebrated native grape.