San Marzano Primitivo di Manduria Sessantanni 2019

Cellar for up to 8 years. No need to decant before serving. Lovers of big, bold and juicy reds will adore this Primitivo which combines power with balance and elegance. The nose is an explosion of bright cherries, sweet plum jam, and hints of licorice, sandalwood and cinnamon while the first sip reveals a rich full body, smooth texture, an intense hit of ripe dark berries and a very long finish. To craft this powerful wine San Marzano only use grapes harvested from their 60 to 100 year old vines which produce tiny quantities of intensely flavoured fruit. This 40 hectare vineyard known as the Valle del Sessantanni or “Sixty-Year-Old Valley” is one of the oldest in San Marzano and contains bush vines which had been abandoned prior to their discovery and rehabilitation by the Cantine San Marzano. The terra rossa or ‘red soil” here is rich in iron which gives the vineyard its striking colour and combines with the warm climate to offer ideal growing conditions for the Primitivo grape. Following the harvest and fermentation of the must, the wine is aged in oak barrels for 12 months to add sweet spice character and additional complexity. Ideal for savouring on a cold winter’s evening by the fire, this characterful wine also makes an excellent partner for hearty meat dishes like a lamb chop, beef stew, or fresh pasta served with a rich ragu sauce.

Price: £25.04 from 8wines UK