San Marzano, ‘F Metal Label’ Negroamaro 2021
Product Information
Country Italy
Region Puglia
Grape Variety Negroamaro
Vintage 2021
ABV 14.5%
Buy San Marzano ‘F Metal Label’ Negroamaro 2021, a rich and expressive Puglia red wine made from 100% Negroamaro and sourced from the Monte La Conca vineyards in Salento, southern Italy. With its deep fruit character, polished tannins, and 12 months of French and Caucasian oak ageing, this is a distinctive Italian red for hearty food, relaxed entertaining or enjoying slowly after dinner.
The 2021 vintage is particularly compelling for wine lovers looking for a full-bodied Negroamaro with both richness and freshness. Professional critics have awarded this vintage scores including 91/100 from Wilfred Wong and 90/100 from James Suckling, making it an impressive choice when you want to buy a premium Puglian red wine with recognised critical acclaim.
A Distinctive 2021 Puglia Negroamaro
San Marzano ‘F’ is not simply another fruit-forward southern Italian red. The wine comes from three selected vineyards at Monte La Conca, where old-style Alberello-trained vines grow in iron-rich, calcareous soils. The combination of Mediterranean sunshine, coastal influences and naturally low yields helps produce grapes with impressive concentration and aromatic intensity.
For the 2021 vintage, the hand-picked Negroamaro grapes were carefully vinified before malolactic fermentation and 12 months of maturation in French and Caucasian oak. The result is a wine with substantial body and supple tannins, while the oak contributes additional layers of spice and savoury complexity.
2021 Vintage Overview
The San Marzano F Negroamaro 2021 stands apart from warmer, more overtly jammy expressions by combining ripe southern Italian fruit with a pleasing savoury edge. Expect a deep purple-red colour and an expressive nose of spice, soft dark fruit, and cherry jam.
On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, smooth, and concentrated, with fine-grained tannins and a long, persistent finish. It is an excellent example of how Negroamaro can deliver power without sacrificing balance.
This makes the 2021 particularly attractive if you are searching for a full-bodied Italian red wine from Puglia, an oak-aged Negroamaro for dinner, or a premium alternative to more familiar Italian varieties such as Sangiovese and Primitivo.
San Marzano F Negroamaro 2021 Tasting Notes
Appearance: Deep, intense purple-red.
Nose: Rich and complex, with ripe berries, cherry jam, spice, and subtle savoury notes.
Palate: Full-bodied and velvety, combining concentrated dark fruit with fine, well-integrated tannins. Oak ageing adds nuances of cocoa, tobacco, liquorice, and spice.
Finish: Long, smooth and satisfying, with persistent fruit and savoury character.
James Suckling awarded the 2021 vintage 90/100, describing a full-bodied wine with roasted mushroom, olive, baked black-fruit and gravy characteristics, supported by integrated tannins.
Wine Enthusiast subsequently rated the 2021 vintage 89/100, noting coffee, dried blueberry, roasted strawberry, orange peel, cacao, and spice.
What To Eat with San Marzano F Negroamaro
This is a natural partner for substantial dishes. Pair San Marzano F Negroamaro 2021 with grilled or roasted beef, lamb, venison, and other game, as well as rich Italian pasta dishes, mushroom-based recipes and mature or aged cheeses.
Its fruit concentration and polished tannins make it particularly effective with slow-cooked meats and dishes with savoury sauces. Serve at around 16–18°C and consider decanting before serving to allow the wine's aromas and texture to open fully.
Why Buy San Marzano ‘F Metal Label’ Negroamaro 2021?
• 100% Negroamaro from Puglia's Salento region
• Premium fruit from selected Monte La Conca vineyards
• 12 months' ageing in French and Caucasian oak
• 14.5% ABV with a full-bodied, velvety style
• Outstanding vintage-specific critical recognition
• An excellent match for red meat, game, pasta, and mature cheese
• A distinctive choice for anyone looking to buy Italian red wine online
FAQs
Q. Is San Marzano F Negroamaro a sweet wine?
A. It is a dry red wine, although its ripe fruit and smooth texture can give an impression of sweetness. The 2021 combines dark fruit richness with savoury flavours, acidity, and structured tannins.
Q. What vintage is San Marzano F Metal Label?
A. This listing is for the 2021 vintage. Vintage matters because the fruit profile, balance and critic assessments can differ between releases.
Q. What grape is San Marzano F made from?
A. San Marzano F is made from 100% Negroamaro, one of Puglia's signature native red grape varieties.
Q. What food goes with San Marzano F Negroamaro?
A. Try it with beef, lamb, game, hearty pasta, mushroom dishes, and mature cheeses. Its structure makes it especially well-suited to rich, savoury food.
Q. Is San Marzano F a good wine for ageing?
A. The 2021 has the concentration, tannin, and acidity to develop further, although it is already enjoyable. For the best experience, store the bottle carefully in cool, stable conditions.
Explore more Puglia and Italian red wine
Discover more southern Italian styles in our Puglia wine collection, including Primitivo, Negroamaro and other expressive regional reds. Puglia Wine Collection
For a softer alternative from the same producer, consider San Marzano Talò Malvasia Nera 2024, while lovers of richer Puglian reds can explore the Primitivo collection.