Giulio and Margarita Steiger organically farm 12 hectares in the small and nearly-unknown region of Molise, which is wedged between Abruzzo and Puglia, near the heel of the boot. Kalena is the old name for their village of Casacalenda. 'Passatella', the name of a card game that locals play while enjoying wines like this one, is half Montepulciano and the balance Aglianico and Tintilia, the latter being a full-flavored variety that’s pretty much unique to Molise. The wine ferments in open-top wooden casks and ages for 6 months in large, neutral oak barrels. It’s dark in the glass and offers deep, dark black fruits with earth and tar bass notes and a pleasing touch of rusticity. The wine remains fresh on the palate, thanks to good acidity and moderate alcohol (13%). The full liter bottle comes with a Stelvin (screwcap) closure, so there’s no corkscrew required! The wine is unfiltered and does have some sediment, so leave it upright for an hour or two before opening, and pour gently (or decant). Drink it with roasted meats, barbecue, or an aged cheese.
