Red Wine San Marzano 60 Sessantanni Limited Edition Old Vines Primitivo di Manduria 2017. Cantine San Marzano was founded in 1962 as a winemaking cooperative by 19 local winemakers and grape growers. Set in the heart of the Primitivo di Manduria region, the winery enjoys a perfect location on the heel” of Italy close to both the Ionian and Adriatic seas. Their vineyards thus enjoy plenty of Mediterranean sunshine moderated by cooling sea breezes which helps to preserve freshness and aromatics in the grapes. This precious limited edition Primitivo is made from 60 to 100 year old vines which are planted on the estate’s 40 hectare vineyard known as the Valle del Sessantanni or Sixty-Year-Old Valley”. The vineyard had actually been forgotten and abandoned prior to its rediscovery and rehabilitation by San Marzano. These very old vines produce just tiny amounts of very concentrated fruit and are harvested by hand to make sure the fruit arrives at the winery in perfect condition. Another unusual feature here are the red soils which are rich in iron and provide ideal growing conditions for the Primitivo variety. In the winery the fruit is fermented in temperature-controlled tanks and then matured in oak barrels for at least 12 months to add hints of spice and extra complexity. A great partner for hearty stews, steaks and barbecued meats, this is a fantastic wine to enjoy now or to keep in the cellar for a few more years as it continues to develop.
2017
Red Wine San Marzano 60 Sessantanni Limited Edition Old Vines Primitivo di Manduria 2017
Red Wine San Marzano 62 Anniversario Primitivo di Manduria Riserva 2017. This luscious Puglian wine is sure to please lovers of big, bold reds with its juicy dark fruit, hints of sunbaked earth and powerful full body. Made from the classic local Primitivo di Manduria grape varierty, this wine celebrates the birth of the San Marzano estate which was founded in 1962 by 19 local winemakers. The property is situated close to its namesake village in the heart of the Primitivo di Manduria region between the Ionian and Adriatic seas. Conditions here are perfect for creating robust yet balanced Primitivo and Negroamaro wines thanks to the proximity to the coast which provides cooling sea breezes even during the hot summer months. Plentiful warmth and sunshine helps the fruit to achieve optimum maturity while the cooler nights lock in plenty of freshness and aromatics. The fruit for this wine is carefully harvested by hand from very old vines in both San Marzano and nearby Tava which grow on the region’s characteristic iron-rich red soils. Once in the winery the grapes are slowly fermented at a controlled temperature and the young wine is then aged in French and American oak barrels for 18 months. This helps to soften the punchy tannins and add subtle hints of spice, woodsmoke and leather to the succulent dark plum, cassis and blackberry flavours.
2017
Red Wine San Marzano Primitivo di Manduria Sessantanni 2017. Lovers of big, bold and juicy reds will adore this Primitivo which combines power with balance and elegance. The nose is an explosion of bright cherries, sweet plum jam, and hints of licorice, sandalwood and cinnamon while the first sip reveals a rich full body, smooth texture, an intense hit of ripe dark berries and a very long finish. To craft this powerful wine San Marzano only use grapes harvested from their 60 to 100 year old vines which produce tiny quantities of intensely flavoured fruit. This 40 hectare vineyard known as the Valle del Sessantanni or Sixty-Year-Old Valley” is one of the oldest in San Marzano and contains bush vines which had been abandoned prior to their discovery and rehabilitation by the Cantine San Marzano. The terra rossa or ‘red soil” here is rich in iron which gives the vineyard its striking colour and combines with the warm climate to offer ideal growing conditions for the Primitivo grape. Following the harvest and fermentation of the must, the wine is aged in oak barrels for 12 months to add sweet spice character and additional complexity. Ideal for savouring on a cold winter’s evening by the fire, this characterful wine also makes an excellent partner for hearty meat dishes like a lamb chop, beef stew, or fresh pasta served with a rich ragu sauce.
2017