Marco Maci Fra Diavolo Primitivo

[Drew]

One of the most unusual wines I've ever had. This is a 13.5% Alc. dry port. Dark ruby/purple in the glass. Big nose of ruby port, creme de cassis and an earthy/underbrush component. Ruby port flavors with the creme de cassis notes developing as the wine opens. Tannic mid palate and the wine finishes long. Beautiful to serve with blue cheese or stilton. No year is indicated on the bottle.

Back label states: "A dry red wine obtained from carefully selected primitivo grapes, Fra Diavolo is a big wine, full of character, great in body with an ample bouguet, intense, complex flavor and a rich long, lingering finish." From the Salento Geographical area. $17

FRA DIAVOLO
In Italian, fra diavolo refers to peppery dishes. It means literally, brother devil and refers to a Sicilian Robin Hood, Michele Pezza (1771-1806), who disguised himself as a Franciscan friar and so was called 'Fra Diavolo'.

Drew

[This message has been edited by Drew (edited 03-12-2003).]

[scimmiatinit]

I tasted this wine some months ago (Nov.2002)and even if it was showing, on the nose, a ripe vivid fruit.. in the mouth a better complexity was compromised by too much toasted (wood)sensations ...
(this wine spends 9 months in barrique!)

A general consideration on Marco Maci wines:

they are always very strange & personal, I would say sperimental...

[Drew]

Thanks for your input, scimmiatinit, this bottle didn't seem to show any wood but do agree that it was a unique wine. I have very little experience with Maci wines.

DRew

[Botafogo]

For a real Primitivo experience try the following from Vinacola Savese:

Primitivo di Manduria Terrarossa
Normal vinification, pretty much a funkier, more terroir driven version of a Ridge Zin

Primitivo di Manduria Tradizione del Nonno
"grandfather's style", made from grape clusters that have been cut from the vine but left on the trellisses for a week or so. 16.5% ABV and rediculously meaty but still dry.

Primitivo di Manduria Liquoroso Naturale
18% ABV, about the thickness of port but much deeper flavors and not quite as sweet, reminds me of chocolate covered plums.

Roberto



[This message has been edited by Botafogo (edited 03-13-2003).]

[Drew]

Thanks Roberto, will look for them here.

Drew

[Botafogo]

They are imported by Tricana imports. Whoever is selling Illuminati and La Monacesca in your area at a wholesale level will have them.

Roberto

[This message has been edited by Botafogo (edited 03-13-2003).]