Description
Ahh Primitivo, another word for Zin, but if you search for the roots of Zinfandel, you will find that it came from Croatia, well at least that is what current research tells us today. Primitivo is usually grown in and around Puglia and is known for its bold rich blackberry flavours, dark chocolate and hints of black licorice. The resulting wines are bold in flavour and dark, inky and have big tannins and big alcohol. There are several zones around the Salento peninsula, to note such as Primitivo Di Manduria, and Salento IGT. Incidentally it was Italians that brought this varietal over to the United States and introduced it to the vineyards in California. The name "Primitivo" means "early ripening". Tenuta Del Pajaru is part of the De Cherico Family of Wineries in Italy. Grandpa Laurentino founded the Puglian estate in the late 1960's at a time where southern wines were undervalued and underappreciated. It was a risk to be sure. Located in Manduria, a few kilometres from the sea, the landscape is rugged and filled with ochre red earth and historic olive groves. This is hard land to farm: the soils have large amounts of compact limestone which requires the utmost patience and dedication to work. The resulting wines that are made at this estate mimic what the De Cherico family's philosophy of using only native varietals. It is here that the Primitivo grape shines. Concentrated cherry in its core with baked plums, warm spice, hints of mineral and anise in a full-bodied example of this ancient varietal.
Pairing
Dates stuffed with Gorgonzola, baked zitti with tomato and mozzarella, korean barbequed korean ribs
Aromas and Flavours
Cherry
Fresh B.C. cherries out of the back of a truck, all eaten before you can get them home!
Raspberry
Tangy or sweet, juicy or tart: more sophisticated than a strawberry, but just as lush.
Pepper
A whiff of a freshly used pepper grinder - spicy and fresh, without the itchy nose.
Licorice
Childhood memories of fighting over the black Jujubes, or avoiding them altogether...
Blackberry
A little sweet, a little tart, this black fruit is rather quiet but persistent.