San Marzano '62 Anniversario' Primitivo di Manduria 2020

Primitivo di Manduria has a reputation for being a cut above regular Puglian Primitivo, and this one shows just why that is. Aged for 18 months in a mix of French and American oak, it's got layers of flavour to keep you busy - ripe dark fruit, sweet spice, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, dark chocolate, and even a touch of coffee for good measure. It's big and bold but balanced, with fine tannins and a long finish. It's a big” wine, definitely, but by no means over the top.

With its dense, fleshy character, it's brilliant alongside slow-cooked lamb shanks, rich beef stews, or roast venison - big flavours that can handle a wine this bold.

In 1962, 19 vine growers from San Marzano, deep in the Puglian heel of Italy, whose families had farmed the land for generations, combined their efforts to establish Cantine San Marzano. Through the decades this co-operative has grown significantly and can now boast over 1,200 members and has a reputation for quality that has earned international renown. They are based just east of the town of Taranto in the region of Salento. The Cantine's director Mauro di Maggio is a native of this part of the world and grew up with a connection to the winery before going to work there in 2003. As a result, he knows his members well and his close working relationships with them has helped keep the quality of fruit supplied to the winery at high levels.