99 Pt (LM) Italian Primitivo

PRIMITIVO PERFECTION FOR THANKSGIVING!

“We told you about this wine back in September and it sold like hot cakes! We just received another shipment, so if you are still searching for that daily rosso or those perfectly affordable bottles for Thanksgiving, for under $15, this one delivers! It wildly exceeds all expectations, and over-delivers at a price so low that it almost makes no sense. The 99 point 2020 Masso Antico Primitivo del Salento, for just $14.99, is one of the great finds of the year, one that is ‘unputdownable’! Yep, it's not a word, but it describes this wine so much better than any actual word could.

Primitivo is the benchmark grape variety of Puglia, sometimes referred to by its international name Zinfandel. Unlike its larger-than-life and often overripe American counterparts, the Masso Antico Primitivo has a touch of black pepper and spice, typical of Italian reds produced in the southern region of Puglia. What really defines this wine, aside from the grape and place, is that it is da uve leggermente appassite, which means the grapes are slightly dried. This appassimento process does not increase alcohol but it does intensify the extract of flavors, and the aging in oak makes the wine rich and complex with notes of ripe dark cherries, fresh herbs and vanilla, while also being smooth and ample, with an intense finish.

Luca Maroni, Italy’s foremost wine taster and connoisseur, rates this wine at 99 points. He explains his methodology as follows: ‘I don’t judge wines from a technical point of view, but from the level of pleasure that they give me.’ At 99 points, this is clearly a wine that gives him a lot of pleasure! Drink well and stay healthy.” – Lance Montalto, The Wine House

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The Wine House is open and curbside pickup is available between 11AM and 6PM. Starting on Monday, December 12, our store holiday hours will be 11AM to 7PM until Thursday, December 23. We will close at 5PM on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and will be closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Monday, January 2, 2023.

Occasionally, due to the large number of phone calls or customers in the store, it can be difficult to reach us by phone during the holidays. If you would like to send your wine gift orders to multiple recipients, you can submit the Multiple Recipient Gift Order form via our website or click the template hyperlink on the order form page and email the recipient spreadsheet to us. We look forward to helping you!

99 Points: “Such is the compositional harmony, such is the extractive richness, such is the purity of this enological transformative event, which this sample wraps with vanilla blackberry in pure pulp from the first sensorial tune. Its maximum power is therefore not felt impacting concentration, its imposing structure is not perceived over-tannic or over-acidic, and on the nose there are only limpid and stainless caresses of compote of wild berries of sublime spice. A viticultural and oenological archetype of universal first pleasure. Chapeau.” - Luca Maroni (May 2020)

FROM THE WINERY

Grapes: 100% Primitivo
Production area: Apulia, Salento
Vinification: The grapes used for Masso Antico Primitivo are grown using the vine training method known as “Alberello”, which has ancient origins and is typical of the Mediterranean area of Italy. It was developed to compensate the lack of water and the very hot climate. The now very rare Alberello system represents a very important part of the cultural and oenological heritage of Apulia. The rigorous hand-picking is followed by a meticulous selection of the destemmed grapes. The grape withering on plants, favored by the sea wind, and a slow maturation in French oak barrels for about 6 months results in an outstanding full-bodied wine with soft tannins that release vanilla notes in the finish.
Description: Masso Antico Primitivo, with its ruby red color and its complex bouquet, is characterized by intense and fine aromas, that go from mature fruit to spicy notes.
Food pairing: It pairs perfectly with grilled meat dishes, stew and aged cheeses.
Serving temperature: 16° - 18° C (61° - 64° F)
Bottle: Bordeaux Nobile
Alcohol: 14%vol.
Residual sugar: 16 g/l

Masso Antico is an eclectic range of wines from Southern Italy. Produced in the province of Puglia by our winemakers Daniele and Carlo, Masso Antico wines are modern interpretations of classic local grape varieties.

Our name derives from the old farmhouse or ‘Masseria’ which was built on our first ever vineyards in Puglia. This very imposing ‘Masseria’ was covered by a huge old gnarled grape vine, which has since become our mark and the symbol of our roots and strong attachment to our land.

Our vineyards bask in the Italian sunshine and our wines are the perfect match to our beloved Mediterranean way of life. Raise your glass and say Cin cin!