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What We Say 2008 Primitivo di Manduria DOC
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Mission Codename: The Well and the Almond Tree
Operative: Agent White
Objective: Search the Puglia region for an exceptional Primitivo
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: Viti Italia
Wine Subject: 2008 Primitivo di Manduria DOC
Winemaker: Vincenzo Vita
Backgrounder:
Primitivo, a native grape of southern Italy can trace its earliest heritage back to ancient Greece. Genetically, it is nearly identical to Zinfandel with Zin having the identical DNA as the clone of Primitivo found in and around Puglia Italy. Primitivo gets its name from the monks who tended this varietal as they noticed it was one of the first to ripen amongst their vines. Known for its rich and vibrant color, aromas and flavors of zesty cherry and spice, Primitivo is best enjoyed young (within five or so years of bottling), however some examples can and do improve with cellaring as well.
Today’s selection is from the Manduria region in Puglia, the heel of the boot of Italy. The wines of Manduria range from dry to semi-sweet and even some the wines are fortified. The symbol of the city is a well with an almond tree growing from the center, originally documented by the Roman author Pliny the Elder in his manuscript Naturalis Historia,
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – Dark but clear purple and garnet with slightly lighter garnet edges. When swirled, widely spaced slow fat legs cling to the edge of the glass before descending to the wine below.
Smell – Bright and youthful with spiced tangy red fruit including zesty cherry, tart raspberry and nearly ripe plum blend with earthy and oaky notes. A touch of sweet spice, floral violets and smokey sweet tobacco also emerge as the wine opens.
Feel – Tangy and tart, this medium-to-full bodied wine has vibrant acidity that lingers into the finish and youthful but finely grained tannins and a touch of minerality.
Taste – Zesty red cherry, tart raspberry and under-ripe plum blend with sweet spice, pepper and oak notes. The floral violets and hints of anise and tobacco found on the nose also linger on the palate.
Finish – The vibrant acidity and youthful tannins grasp the zesty red cherry and plum as the other flavors fade.
Conclusion – If you’re looking for a food friendly go to wine, then the Gold Medal 2008 Vita Italia Primitivo di Manduria DOC is a sure winner. Great acidity that greets you upon the first sip and lingers long into the finish frames the tangy and zesty red cherry aromas and flavors. Sweet spice, floral violets, smokey tobacco hints and oak adds complexity but without masking the great fruit. Enjoy tonight with pasta, pizza or even steak tips after letting it open or cellar for 3-5 years.
Mission Report:
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The Manduria region in Puglia where the grapes for this wine are grown can be seen in this satellite photo.
What the Winery Says
Vita Italia
Awards & Accolades:
Gold Medal – The Golden Glass Awards 2010
About This Wine:
The Primitivo is a plant with black grapes. Its name arises from the plant blooming and fruit ripening earlier than other vines. Its harvest takes place between late August and early September and the plant requires clay and calcareous soil to grow. A genetic cousin of Zinfandel, both vines tend to be grown in the alberello method in traditional vineyards and Primitivo has been converted from an excellent bulk wine (because of its rich structure and alcohol content) into a prestigious red wine of remarkable personality.
With its ruby red silky color and unique bouquet, Vita’s Primitivo di Manduria preserves its strong, robust wild characteristics. The wine has intense fruity scents, mainly cherry and plum with Balsamic undertones and silky tannins given by aging in French and American oak. It is a perfect match for roasts, stewed game and meat sauces.
About The Winery:
VITA_ITALIA_ – A name, a logo, a way of life.
Vincenzo VITA was born in 1962 in San Vito dei Normanni, Brindisi, Apulia. Transferred from kid at Turin. Financial Promoter for twenty years, in 2007 regains, in Apulia , all the land, vineyards and olive groves which previously belonged to his father.
The goal, once soothed his satisfaction and satisfied his desire of revenge, is not only the enhancement of the territory with the production of excellent wine and extra virgin olive oil, but also the creation of a quality mark that encloses Italian excellency in agro-food, but not only, and to bring this mark proudly in the world.
Born VITAITALIA srl, was initially dedicated to the national market for the promotion and sale of VITA wines, both from the family vineyards and from other top quality vineyards selected in Italy, and extra virgin olive oil VITA, by his own reconquered olive groves. VITA almost immediately expanded its interests to an international market. From the lands of Manduria, near Taranto in Puglia, and from the most exclusive vineyards in the various Regions of Italy, VITA products soon reached the Asian markets with the set up of a VITA Office in Canton, China ( in collaboration with a Chinese partner coordinating the operations of 20 agents) and Singapore, where VITA operates with its own Importer and opened the Restaurant BOLLICINE, plus two VITASHOP, and VITADELI.
Other VITAPOINTare also present in much of Europe, but also in Africa, in Abidjan, in USA with an Importer in San Francisco, in India and Brazil with importers and agents on the spot.
Technical Analysis:
Appelation: Primitivo di Manduria DOC
Varietals: 100% Primitivo
Vineyard: 40/50 year old vines in Manduria and surroundings. Shallow red soil on layers of calcareous rock.
Aging: Allier oak barriques for 6 months.
Harvest: By hand in early September.
Alcohol: 14.5%
