Tasting note of Primitivo di Manduria 2017 from Contessa Carola winery, which I have bought while shopping in one of local grocery stores. Lets see, how did it taste… Before I will get to the
Tasting note of Primitivo di Manduria 2017 from Contessa Carola winery, which I have bought while shopping in one of local grocery stores. Lets see, how did it taste…
Before I will get to the tasting note, I would like to tell you, how did I bought this wine. Some time ago (before the coronavirus got out), I was doing the Saturdays shopping in one of local grocery stores, when my love called and told me, that we are invited to our friends next day. According to the fact, that you should not pay a visit without nothing in your hands, we decided to come with a bottle of wine. Due to the fact, that I did not have anything prepared for such occasion (wines at home were note dedicated for such situations), I decided to by one. Unfortunately it was too late to go to one of wine stores I usually buy wine, so I took the challenge of buying wine in an average grocery store. A lot of bottles were eliminated almost in one moment – those that were called wine without beeing a real wine (no, I am not talking only about wines for 5zł which are cheap and good because are good and cheap), white wines, sweet wines, some those, some others, etc. At the end two bottles of wine appeard in from of my eyes – Nero d’Avola and Primitivo di Manduria. I had decided to get the second one. Of course I didn’t knew, what did I just bought and how would it taste. In Polish shops Primitivo is represented by such a huge quality variety of wines, that I was really warried about how this one will turn out in our glasses. But, as they say – who doesn’t take the risk, doesn’t drink champagne… well… good wine in this case :P. When we finally got to our friends, that particular bottle of Primitivo di Manduria turned out to be pretty good wine. Everyone was delighted, I also had pretty nice experience, although smell experience only – I have no idea, how did I got in the role of a driver that evening… I guess, no one will be able to explain me that… Well… If it was so good, I couldn’t resist to buy another bottle next time to try this wine at home. Next week, having pretty relaxing evening by the fireplace, I had a chance to finally taste it…
Primitivo di Manduria 2017 from Contessa Carila winery is red dry wine with DOC appelation. It is 100% Primitivo grape, has 14,5% of alcohol. The color is raspberry with strawberry reflection, is slightly subdued with flat ring, however the tears are pretty small.
I aroma I can feel tones of red fruits, with domination of cherries and strawberries. Additionally there are present some tones of tanned leather and a slight tone of some spice of red pepper. Aroma is generally pleasent, medium intense. In taste I can feel the same tones as in nose – strawberry, cherry and tanned leather. Pungency of red pepper is sligthly stronger than in aroma.
The attack is pretty aromatic. Body is very nice, velvety, worming up – alcohol is noticeable, but with good balance. Body is static, it does not change its character after some time in mouth. Finish is medium length, lined up with taste. Sweetness of this wine is pretty high, but is not the result of residual sugar. What I want to say is the fact that this wine is not sweet, but the tastes I can feel are sweet. Tannins are pretty weak, but enjoyable, acidity is medium, alcohol well composed – this wine is very nice and pretty easy drinking.
For a summary – I am positively surprised by this wine. Mostly because of the fact, that it is pretty hard to buy good wine in a shop, that is not focused on such assortment. Moreover because it turned out to be very good during the tasting and whats most important – during meeting with friends. This is the situation, when this wine would be perfect – for meeting with friends. It does not require too much focus, it does not require indisputable attention. It is very good to drink, might be a good topic of a conversation, but its goal is not the absorbtion of attention of all around the table. It is worth recommending, also as a nice example of what kind of wines Primitivo can give. If I would have a chance to come back to it, I will do it definitely. I would like to emphasize – this wine is not worth looking for for any cost. However if it will appear in our glasses, it would not be disappointing…
General evaluation: 72/100.
Traditionally I invite you to comments section. I encourage you to share your experience with this wine if anyone had a chance to try it. I am also curious, what are your opinions about wines available even not in bigger supermarkets (topic present on many blogs), but in small shops, like lokal grocery stores.
See you in next posts!