A Mano Primitivo Rosato, Puglia 2024

Primitivo's rich, ripe character carries straight through into rosé here, and the result is fuller and fruitier than the norm. A Mano take Primitivo seriously and treat their rosato with the same attentiveness as their red. Bright blackberries, strawberries, cherries and cassis are lifted by orange blossom, with a savoury, lightly spiced finish, while crisp, fresh acidity livens it all up throughout. A good example of a fuller, more substantial rosé.

A slightly fuller rosé that is, all the same, perfect by itself. It'll also match up well with meaty fish like mackerel or tuna straight off the grill or barbie.

Californian Mark Shannon and his partner Elvezia Sbalchiero, originally from northern Italy, together form A Mano. They fell for the Primitivo grape found in the Puglian heel of Italy in the late 1990s and set about making their mark with what was, at the time, a neglected variety, and have since helped transform its reputation. They don't have extensive vineyards of their own but, by focussing on quality, a modern winemaking style and a willingness to pay their growers good prices for the best fruit, they've played their part in bringing Puglian Primitivo to prominence.