2006 A-Mano Primitivo

A-Mano
Italy, Puglia IGT
Primitivo
2006

I must say, it’s taken me a while to find a reasonably priced Primitivo that is drinkable.  I had been depending on Tomaresca Neprica as an option – but being a blend of Negroamaro, Cabernet Sauvignon and Primitivo, it wasn’t quite what I was looking for.  Tonight’s A-Mano Primitivo hit the spot, especially considering that I paid a notch under $10.

We’ve gone around in  circles a bit over what exactly the grape Primitivo “is”.  It is commonly simply called an Italian Zinfandel.  Not being an ampelographer, I could be wrong, but it is my understanding that Primitivo and Zinfandel are the same grape.  I have also heard though that Primitivo is the “grandfather of Zinfandel” or even a clone or mutation of the American Zin.  It is also my understanding that Zinfandel and Primitivo are genetically identical.  In short, calling it an “Italian Zinfandel” usually seems to suffice for my purposes.

A-Mano, the producer of the wine, is a combined effort of American winemaker Mark Shannon and partner Elvezia Sbachiero.  A-Mano means literally “by hand”, in other words artisanal, hand-made wine.  It comes from Puglia (the Italian Apulia) or the heel of Italy’s boot and it’s a solid value.

“Medium purple color. A nose more than anything of primary fruit – black raspberries with red cherry highlights. Grapey on the palate but smooth, balanced and pleasant. Hints of chocolate. Not sure it will go anywhere, but a nice quaff or maybe even a bit more serious, for under $10 it’s tough to beat.”

It’s in a screwcap to boot.