Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
The fruit comes from Valle del Sessantanni, approximately 40 hectares between San Marzano and Sava in the province of Taranto, within the traditional production zone of Primitivo di Manduria DOP. The hot environment has very low annual rainfall and pronounced day–night temperature variation. At least sixty-year-old vines are trained as traditional Puglian alberelli at a density of 5,000 vines per hectare. Fine-textured residual red soils, intensely coloured by iron oxides, lie over limestone with occasional rocky outcrops.
Grapes
100% Primitivo, picked at slight overripeness.
Vinification
The grapes are harvested by hand in mid-September, then destemmed and crushed. Cold pre-fermentation maceration lasts 24–48 hours at 8°C. Temperature-controlled maceration and alcoholic fermentation with selected yeasts continue for about ten days at 24–26°C. The wine is drawn off using gentle presses.
Ageing
Malolactic fermentation takes place in stainless steel, followed by 18 months in French and American oak barriques.
Tasting profile
Deep ruby red. The broad, complex nose combines prunes, cherry jam and tobacco with a light spicy accent. Full-bodied, soft and persistent, with fine tannins and a finish recalling cocoa, coffee and vanilla.
Serving and pairing
Serve at 18°C with red meats, game or savoury first courses.
Label / history
Anniversario 62 commemorates Cantine San Marzano’s founding year, 1962. Its Riserva styling and extended barrique maturation are designed around the concentration of slightly overripe Primitivo fruit.
