The Don Luigi Primitivo-Merlot 2025 is a warm, generous red blend from Puglia, in Italy's far south, where Primitivo brings the dark fruit and Merlot smooths the edges. It is an easy, plush style built for drinking young rather than cellaring.

The nose leads with ripe blackberry and stewed plum, backed by dried fig, a little sweet spice and a lift of Mediterranean herb. On the palate the fruit is sun-soaked and mouthfilling, with black cherry and cocoa running through the middle.

Tannins are soft and rounded, acidity is gentle, and the finish carries a touch of warmth and a faint bitter-chocolate edge that keeps the sweetness of the fruit in check. Medium to full in body, it is more about texture and flow than grip.

Pour this Puglian Primitivo-Merlot alongside pizza, slow-cooked lamb ragù, sausages off the barbecue, eggplant parmigiana or a board of aged pecorino and salami. It also handles a midweek bowl of pasta with a rich tomato sauce without any fuss.

Drink the Don Luigi Primitivo-Merlot 2025 over the next two to three years.