90
July 2012

Here is an interesting mature wine, everything from its color, intriguing aromatics and mouthfeel with no resemblance to its sibling in California. This wine opens up with aromas of sour cherry, blueberry, dried fruit, soft leather, nutty and mineral notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied (alcohol coming in at 15%), low acidity and fine dusty tannins. Medium length on the finish, very smooth with flavours of sour cherry, dried fruit and spices lingering. This Primitivo tasted like a Tawny Port without the 40% alcohol. An off the beaten path wine that is worth the detour.

I have learned by now that when a a wine in the fifteen dollar range is rated a 91, it is too good to be true. It usually is not, but is worth the price, so there is not much to lose. This one has nice flavor, but a raw taste I would expect at this price.

But get it for the little tag on the bottle. The founder was called (translating from the Italian, rather than the English) the "irresistible conqueror of women," who lived to 98, having breakfast every morning with half a liter of Primitivo and half a liter of milk. Gotta love those Italians.