Gianfranco Fino

'Es' Primitivo di Manduria

9.394 ratings
9.38 pro ratings
Manduria, Puglia, Italy
Primitivo
Turkey, White Rice, Chicken, Potato, Pasta, Lamb, Exotic Spices, Herbs, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Duck, Baking Spices, Mushrooms, Pungent Cheese, Pork, Beef, Chili & Hot Spicy, Onion, Tomato-Based, Soft Cheese
Top Notes For
Jay Kline

Served double-blind. First impression: “What the hell is this?!” Umami, German chocolate cake, flower shop…opulent in ever sense of the word. Dark fruit for dayzzz…with a sort of raisinated character that slips in at the finish. Remarkable depth. There’s also a black pepper thing on the very back end. Hefty structure with rather remarkable acid considering how bulky this wine is and, to be frank, rather necessary considering the 16% abv. Finish is sooooo long. I figured some sort of Valpolicella Ripasso or even an Amarone (neither are wines I drink a whole lot of but seem to fit the profile) and obviously from a good producer. When this was revealed, I can’t say I was shocked only because the Primitivo di Manduria also fits the description. That being said, this was my first experience with Gianfranco Fino’s wines and it was certainly a hedonistic treat.

Served double-blind. First impression: “What the hell is this?!” Umami, German chocolate cake, flower shop…opulent in ever sense of the word. Dark fruit for dayzzz…with a sort of raisinated character that slips in at the finish. Remarkable depth. There’s also a black pepper thing on the very back end. Hefty structure with rather remarkable acid considering how bulky this wine is and, to be frank, rather necessary considering the 16% abv. Finish is sooooo long. I figured some sort of Valpolicella Ripasso or even an Amarone (neither are wines I drink a whole lot of but seem to fit the profile) and obviously from a good producer. When this was revealed, I can’t say I was shocked only because the Primitivo di Manduria also fits the description. That being said, this was my first experience with Gianfranco Fino’s wines and it was certainly a hedonistic treat.

Apr 10th, 2021
Nick Apone

2013 Vintage.

2013 Vintage.

Sep 11th, 2016
Gabrielle Micheletti

Strength reined in by elegance and spice balanced by aromatics and fruit. Phenomenal.

Strength reined in by elegance and spice balanced by aromatics and fruit. Phenomenal.

Nov 18th, 2014
Bob Barry

General Manager Winebow

9.4

2011 WOW my friend Sal gave it to me. Primitivo is Zin right? wrong! It's f***ing primitive!

2011 WOW my friend Sal gave it to me. Primitivo is Zin right? wrong! It's f***ing primitive!

Nov 16th, 2014
Maddalena de Zambiasi

Si è già detto troppo.

Si è già detto troppo.

Apr 11th, 2014
Barny

UBBBP Vol. 34; Platz 1; Michael mit 91,70 Punkten

UBBBP Vol. 34; Platz 1; Michael mit 91,70 Punkten

Mar 14th, 2023
Gabrielle Micheletti

👌🏽 #slowwine2016

Oct 25th, 2015
Stuart Pollack

Zinfandel as it should be, but rarely is. This wine must be decanted to remove sediment, and needs a long time to breathe. I would recommend 3 hours open before serving. Strong wine with 16.5% alcohol. When first opened, it was sweet, and the alcohol was overwhelming. But then it opened up and showed earthy and leathery flavors.

Zinfandel as it should be, but rarely is. This wine must be decanted to remove sediment, and needs a long time to breathe. I would recommend 3 hours open before serving. Strong wine with 16.5% alcohol. When first opened, it was sweet, and the alcohol was overwhelming. But then it opened up and showed earthy and leathery flavors.

Feb 16th, 2020
Anthony De Blasi

Again, stunning! Drink it young, give it some time in the cellar. Doesn't matter. This wine is phenomenal, always... But you need to love the style

Again, stunning! Drink it young, give it some time in the cellar. Doesn't matter. This wine is phenomenal, always... But you need to love the style

Feb 7th, 2019