Italian Pick of The Week, 6/08/09
Botromagno 2005 Primitivo, Gravina DOC
The Botromagno winery is located in an area more known for white wines from a grab bag of Malvasia, Trebbiano Toscana and Greco di Tufo among others. The source for this varietal Primitivo is an ancient vineyard near the centrally positioned town of Gioia del Colle in the upper Murgia. The soils are a mixture of terra rossa over limestone (as in Australia’s Coonawarra), giving the wines power without sacrificing acidity.
This wine has a classic Mezzogiorno nose of earth, tar and woodsy fruit. Don’t expect finesse in this rough and rustic package that fills the mouth with dark cherries and blackberries. Earthy herbs and spices form a background for soft tannins that turn just mildly bitter at the end.
There’s no mistaking this for its DNA cousin Zinfandel, especially when paired with hardy local pastas topped with vegetables and spices, dusted with ricotta salata. Or tangy lamb based dishes.
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