Terre D'Uva Primitivo Di Manduria DOC 2006

The Puglian province of Taranto, situated on the Bay of Taranto on the sole of the boot just where it meets the heel, is home to the Primitivo di Manduria appellation. Primitivo is genetically identical to Zinfandel—both vines have probable Croatian roots—but given a family tree that branched separately more than a century ago and given the difference in the land on which the vines are grown, the best approach is to avoid the temptation to make too many analogies between the two. Primitivo, Zinfandel or Crljenak Kaštelanski—call it what you will—is a most idiosyncratic grape. With the proper juxtaposition of land, climate and ownership, however, it all may translate into opportunity. The name Primitivo, by the way, has nothing to do with any state of primitive or marginal existence, but rather simply refers, via Latin, to the vine's tendency to ripen early.

The Terre D'Uva Primitivo Di Manduria DOC 2006 is $17 and is 14% abv. The wine is very dark, a deep ruby, nearly opaque with only the faintest pale rim. I decanted to aerate a solid three hours before tasting. The nose is pronounced, with deep dark berry, stewed prunes, nutmeg, cinnamon and pepper. The wine is dry, full-bodied and mouth filling, with well integrated acidity. The tannins are exceptional: smooth on initial attack, engaging and chewy at the finish. On the palate the wine shows good black cherry, red plum and raspberry fruit, ripe and tangy, but it also has significant kernel notes: roasted walnut, dark chocolate, and mocha, plus vanilla and nutmeg for spice. On the lengthy finish the fruit persists but eventually gives way to the roasted coffee and cacao beans; the tannins triumph at the end. The sum total of this excellent wine is a rather direct tasting experience that brings in its wake a fine and varied range of flavor levels at a price that more than fits.