Italian Primitivo

We had a good Primitivo with dinner tonight–2003 A Mano Primitivo Reserve, 14% alc./vol., good value at $15.95. Basically a dark-cherry-based nose with some kind of earthy-spicy-iodiney (?) thing going to keep it interesting. Dry, medium-full body, a bit of a acid and tannin, decent balance and finish. Very versatile, you could drink it on its own but plenty of oomph to stand up to a wide range of strongly-flavoured dishes. I think it’s from last week’s Vintages release–still a good number of bottles available across central Toronto. Doesn’t really make you think of California Zin, but then you don’t always want to be thinking of California Zin, do you?