Anniversario 62 Primitivo di Manduria Riserva

A Primitivo that shows what Apulian cooperative work at the highest level means: concentrated fruit, depth through age, and an aging process that respects its origin.

Cantine San Marzano was founded in 1962 in the province of Taranto – hence the name Anniversario 62. Today, 19 winegrower families produce wine together, and for this Riserva, only grapes from vines that are partly over 60 years old are used. The vineyards near San Marzano di San Giuseppe and Sava are located on iron-rich clay-limestone soils; the deep-rooted old vines provide small, aromatically dense berries even in Apulian heat summers. Cellar master Davide Ragusa lets the wine mature for 18 months after fermentation in a combination of French and American oak barrels.

In the glass, it glows deep ruby with a violet rim. On the nose: ripe plum, black cherry, followed by cocoa, roasted coffee, and a hint of cinnamon. Full-bodied and dense on the palate, with velvety, well-integrated tannins and a warming length in which dark fruit and spice notes fade away together.

Best at 16–18 °C, after 30 minutes of decanting. Pairs with braised lamb shank, game ragout with porcini mushrooms, roast beef with red wine sauce, or aged Pecorino.