2022 Es Primitivo di Manduria

This wine has always enjoyed near cult-like status due to its over-the-top presentation of super black ripe fruit with sweet jammy flavors. It is celebrated for its exaggerations. It's been a few years since I last tasted this creation by hard-nosed vintner Gianfranco Fino, and I was curious to see if the winemaking style had changed. The 2022 Primitivo di Manduria Es follows in line with previous editions, offering blackberry cobbler, dried prune, rum cake and Bing cherry with grappa. The alcohol content is 16%, and yet there is lingering sweetness over a chewy, full-bodied finish. If you want demurred elegance and balance, look elsewhere. But if you are up for a wresting match with an Amarone-like red wine from southern Italy, this bottle will fight back.