Valle dell'Asso Galatina 2006 Impresses with Depth and Complexity

This Italian red wine from Puglia offers a unique blend of Negramaro and Montepulciano grapes.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Randy Fuller reviews a bottle of Valle dell'Asso, a 2006 red wine from Galatina in Italy's Puglia region. The wine is an 85% Negramaro and 15% Montepulciano blend that offers a complex nose of black cherry, licorice, and clove, as well as a bold, flavorful palate of plums, figs, and spice.

Why it matters

This review highlights the richness and diversity of Italian regional wines, showcasing how a relatively obscure blend from Puglia can offer a unique and memorable tasting experience that stands out from more mainstream options.

The details

The Valle dell'Asso is a dark, robust red wine that the reviewer describes as having a "dank and musty" aroma, which his wife likens to "meaty." On the palate, the wine bursts with flavors of plums and figs, along with a peppery and sweet spiciness. Despite its darkness, the wine is said to be quite bright and showy, making a lasting impression with its well-balanced and sturdy profile.

  • The wine was purchased by the reviewer a couple of years ago, around 2024.
  • The review was published on February 15, 2026.

The players

Valle dell'Asso

An Italian red wine from the Puglia region, made with an 85% Negramaro and 15% Montepulciano grape blend.

Rosso Wine Shop

A wine shop in Glendale, California where the reviewer purchased the Valle dell'Asso wine.

Tesori Wines

The San Francisco-based importer of the Valle dell'Asso wine.

Denise

The reviewer's wife, who provided her opinion on the wine's aroma.

Randy Fuller

The author of the review, who purchased and tasted the Valle dell'Asso wine.

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What they’re saying

“It's meaty.”

— Denise, Reviewer's wife (nowandzin.com)

“Wow. There's a burst of fruit - plums and figs - and a spicy quality that is both peppery and sweet. There's some mushroom in there, too. Despite the darkness that pops up at every turn, it's a very bright tasting red that's quite showy from the start. It definitely makes an impression. A rather lasting one, too, as the finish keeps on going and going. It's a well-balanced and sturdy wine.”

— Randy Fuller, Reviewer (nowandzin.com)

The takeaway

This review showcases the depth and complexity that can be found in lesser-known Italian regional wines, highlighting how a unique blend from Puglia can offer a memorable tasting experience that stands out from more mainstream options. It underscores the richness and diversity of the Italian wine landscape.