Primitivo

[Randy Caparoso]

Interested not just good Apulia grown Primitivo, but one with blood and guts? the 1998 Tarantino "La Corte is as big, beefy and thick as the heavy-hitter Californians. It's a little different though -- earthy and sun-dried tomato nuances set it apart from the raspberry/blackberry jam qualities you find in California. However, for American consumption it is actually bottled as "Zinfandel" -- the varietal name superimposed into the brand name on the label.

Incidentally, ampelographers are of the belief that Primitivo was actually planted in Southern Italy AFTER it was brought over to California. If anything, the true "mother" is across the Adriatic in Croatia; although I've been reading conflicting reports on the DNA findings.