Saturday, April 17, 2010

A-Mano Puglia Primitivo, 2007

Primitivo is the Italian name for the grape that became Zinfandel when it was brought to California. And A-Mano (literally, made by hand) is produced by a young Californian, Mark Shannon, who has moved to Italy and formed a partnership with a young Italian, Elvezia Sbalchiero. Mark and Elvie own property in Puglia and declare on the label that "this would could only be made in Italy." Well...actually, the technology is state-of-the-art California, but the style is traditional Puglia. I like the combination.

It's deep bluish and very fruity at this stage--raspberries, blueberries and cassis with ripe skin tannins. Neither a Zin nor a Salice Salentino but some of both. There is a good solid structure under the fruit that should allow the wine to grow with a few years in the bottle, but it is very pleasant to drink now, particularly with tomato-sauced dishes. It's being sold for $8.99 a bottle right now at D&W Markets, an excellent buy.

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