Lush, fruity and fragrant, bursting with aromas and flavors of raspberries and red fruit. Round and well balanced, with perfectly integrated structure, acidity and fruit; immediately appealing and easy to drink for all its richness and complexity.
Serve it to match flavorful pasta dishes, red meat, cheese, and as an all-around food wine.
From the Producer
2015 was a challenge, but we have such special growers that they pulled off a miracle: they had the patience to wait until they could deliver excellent ripe grapes.
Primitivo has been grown in Puglia (the heel of the boot) since time immemorial; it was first registered as a monoculture vineyard in 1799. Primitivo has historically been grown as “alberello” (head trained) where yields are very low and the fruit is completely exposed to sunlight for the entire growing season. The best vineyards have a crumbly dark reddish brown soil that resembles instant coffee. These ancient vineyards have evolved strong native yeast.
Primitivo is genetically identical to California's Zinfandel, BUT it is Italian, and like most of the Italians that I have met, it is warm, generous and friendly. elegant, fruity, fresh, complex, interesting and drinkable. And when I make A Mano Primitivo I feel almost Italian: I make wine like Elvi cooks, with great care for the gorgeous ingredients and lots of respect for tradition and heritage.
Around mid-September, when the ripe grapes arrived we crushed and refrigerated them, then allowed to ferment with their own wild yeasts. The very cold fermentation (16 °C) proceeds for several weeks. The wines then rest underground before bottling.