1. We have tasted this varietal under different auspices;
2. We have not explored this region specifically;
3. This varietal has an alias.
Therefore on with Mystery wine #1:
Memoria Primitivo Di Manduria 2006
Vintages 687210 $14.95
Appearance: dark, dense, almost black
Nose: Dark chocolate, vanilla, lime rind (not zest), light to mid tannin, light smoke, brine
Taste: dark chocolate, vanilla, hint of caramel, fruitcake
Overall: very good, not quite balanced immediately, however, improves in the glass. Yummy.
Surani Costarossa Primitivo Di Manduria 2007
Vintages 134593 $19.95
Appearance: dark, dense, almost black
Nose: milk chocolate, caramel, heavy smoke, rubber, ? black licorice?
Taste: campfire smoke, soft vanilla, slightly sweet, medium acidity, mid tannin, coca cola
Overall: fairly balanced, however, reminiscent of Yellowtail
First Thoughts - I have tasted this before. Something that tastes like fruitcake... France, South West, Auxerrois, Chaors, Cot?? Vinsanto Occhio di Pernice? (A dark amber wine made from semi dried Sangiovese grapes similar to ripasso) - but it is red!
Cantine Due Palme Primitivo 2005
Vintages 658351 $15.95
Appearance: dark, dense, almost black, opaque
Nose: light soap, vanilla
Taste: chewy, mid tannin, dark red cherry (but not like cough syrup)
Overall: balanced, hmmm...
A Mano Primitivo 2007
Vintages 972588 $15.95
Appearance: dark, dense, almost black
Nose: vanilla, light smoke, caramel
Taste: light smoke, mid acid, little bitter, coffee, chocolate
Overall: balanced, however, I am not convinced
Itynera Primitivo 2007
Vintages 70805 $14.95
Appearance: dark, dense, almost black
Nose: thick smoke, rubber, fresh black licorice - there may be more but it is difficult to discern with these stronger characteristic scents
Taste: chewy, mid plus tannin, fresh tobacco, vanilla, caramel, chocolate, fruit cake finish
Overall: very pleasant. balanced. I drank the whole glass - not immediately, but I kept going back to it. The rubber melted away leaving a nice smoky, dark red dried fruit smell.
Thinking - thinking... South Africa? Pinotage? No. Hmm... Fruilano? Couldn't tell us what cheeses because they were matched from the same region as the wines.
Paul reveals - Primitivo! Paul points out, and I remember reading that recently, the Zinfandel vines from California were recently proven to be Primitivo from Italy. Paul confirms this. It all begins to make sense - once again the Zinfandel has disguised itself and appeared at our table.
