Primitivo?

[eskinnyc]

Last night I had an Italian Zin (Primitivo), the Feudo Monaci from Puglia. I enjoyed it very much, it seemed to be a little more "refined" than American Zin, which tends brawny and alcoholic in my experience, especially at the lower end of the price scale.

I'd like to do a little more exploring of Puglian/other Italian Primitivo in the under $15 range. Does anyone have any favorites to recommend? Thanks.

Eric

[Innkeeper]

Your observations are typical New World vs Old World ones. Very precise. Not knocking either. Another Primitivo to look for is Primitivo di Manduria by Leone Di Castris 1999 Puglia at $16.

[hotwine]

Also, A Mano Primitivo. Usually $10-$11.

[ShortWiner]

Villa Fanelli is very good. They've got it at Nancy's on 74th and Columbus, about $7.

[Thomas]

Primitivi of Manduria are the tops. The one IK recommends is truly wonderful. The others rcommended are not Manduria; as such, they are ok to good (in my view) but nothing like the ones from Manduria.

[stevebody]

Also recommend the A-Mano, which I poured in my restaurant as our house Zin and sold a TON of. Scott Shannon, an expat American who makes the stuff, also makes wines called Promessa, a Rosso Salento and a 100% Negro Amaro, if you've never tried a red that tastes wonderfully of apricots. His "serious" wine is PrimaMano, a $25 stunner that combines Primitivo with Cab (I think) and is nearly perfect.

Those aside, Primitivo just ain't bad, no matter where it comes from in Italy but the Mandurians have been coaxing it along for centuries and have a great way with it. NOTE: It may be geneticallt identical to Zin but don't expect Zin. The Italians use the grape differently from the CA houses. The black-pepper blast isn't there and the profile is rounder, a tad either richer or thinner (depending on vintner), and more terroir shows; limestone, claydirt, adjacent herbs, etc. Some of the Italian vintners have, just last year, gotten permission from the Italian Government to call their bottlings Zinfandel. Two bottlings I know of are now on shelves. It's the same stuff but they have tried to make it CA styled. Great juice, whatever the style.

[dananne]

I'll also jump in here and praise the A Mano. A whole lot of wine for 10 bucks -- always keep a stock in the house. The wife can hardly keep her hands off it when she's in the "drinkin' mood."