The 2007 Nero di Troia Puer Apuliae explodes from the glass with blackberries, blueberries, tar, smoke, licorice and violets. Mint and flowers wrap around the intense, building finish. The tannins are big and bold today, but should begin to melt away in another few years. Rivera gives the Puer Apuliae 14 months in new French oak. My sense is the wine could be even better with less oak influence given the striking purity of the fruit. Regardless, the Puer Apuliae is one of the handful of wines of southern Italy imbued with true pedigree. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2027. Rivera is one of the top names in Puglia. The entry-level wines generally deliver excellent value while the higher-end wines compete with the best in the region. Unfortunately I was not able to taste the 2006 Aglianico Cappellaccio, which the estate felt needed more time in bottle. Importer: Bedford International, Larchmont, NY; tel. (914) 833-2725