TAGARO | Cinquenoci | Primitivo | 2020
primitivo

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Today we are going to review a single varietal primitivo wine from Salento, Puglia – Cinquenoci | Primitivo 2020 by Masseria Tagaro. Primitivo (also known as zinfandel in the USA) has been thought to be native to Puglia, but it actually hails from Croatia (Dalmatia), where it is called tribidrag. In the last century it was noted that zinfandel and primitivo were very similar. The more researchers looked at them, the more similarities emerged, thus DNA analysis removed any doubt – the two varieties were genetically identical. More than that, further DNA analysis revealed that both varieties are identical to a croatian variety called crljenak kastelanski, which raised the question: which variety is the oldest and which name was the correct one. In 2011 an even older croatian variety, called tribidrag, was found to be genetically identical, therefore the consensus was that this is the prime name. As it turns out, the names primitivo and tribidrag are both derived from words meaning ‘early‘ in latin and croatian respectively, which reflects the yearly-ripening characteristic the grape variety. The grapes for this particular wine have been sourced from the Valle d’Itria vineyards, near Salento in Apulia, and in order to add a bit of extra complexity to the aromatic and flavour profiles, this wine has been aged for 6 months oak barrels and another 3 months in the bottle. That said and without further ado, let’s take a look at the wine tasting results.
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Take a look at the tasting notes below and our detailed assessment of the wine:

//Visual
colour: medium | ruby color
clarity: hazy | ruby shades

//Olfactory
intensity: pronounced | herbal
fruit character: ripe

On the first nose, the wine unveils a ripe fruit character, with notes of red plum, redcurrant and wolfberry taking the lead. These vibrant red fruit aromas are enhanced by an intriguing foreground of dried herbs, with notes of thyme, rosemary, bay leaf and oregano. Subtle hints of basil and wormwood add a touch of complexity, while in the background the wine displays subtle hints of anise and scents of pine forest, which blend harmoniously with the wine’s underlying notes of pine tree sap and peppercorn.

//Palate
sweetness: dry | acidity: medium+ | alcohol: high | tannin: medium | balance: good
finish: medium | aftertaste: bitter-sweet

On the palate, the wine reveals its bright and youthful acidity, that is accompanied by grippy tannins, which forms a firm and structured mouthfeel. The wine’s full-bodied character is further enhanced by an overwhelming touch of alcoholic warmth, adding power and intensity on the palate. The fruit character is ripe, with flavours of red and black fruits, accompanied by hints of herbs and spice. The aftertaste is bittersweet and lingers on the palate, leaving a lasting impression.

//Verdict
maturity: youthful | needs time – age for at least 2 or 3 more years
verdict: fine | highly recommended

Overall, this is a wine with a firm and grippy character and a rich and expressive profile, that showcases its nuanced and angular nature. In its current state, the wine lacks the desired balance, harmony and finesse on the palate, therefore some more bottle ageing is highly recommended. The wine’s slightly austere nature and those nuanced herbal accents, reminds us of greek retsina wines, adding an intriguing twist to its flavor profile. For those seeking a wine that embodies authenticity and appreciates a distinct personality, this wine here is definitely worth attention, as this is not your usual primitivo.

//Scoring
TAGARO | Cinquenoci | Primitivo | 2020
variety: primitivo
country: Italy
region: Puglia | Salento
rating: 92.4
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This is definitely a fine wine of Italy and, with a total of 92.4 points scored, this wine is right there, among the best wines we’ve rated so far. Check our complete database on the wine rating page, where you can find all the wines that we have tasted and reviewed or go to the about us page and find out more about our exquisite rating system.

Pairing: Judging by the wine’s rich, expressive and herbal flavor profile, we would recommend pairing it with a pan-seared duck breast, served with Port wine sauce and roasted root vegetables. Those nuanced herbal notes and subtle oaky undertones in the wine will complement the earthy flavors of the roasted root vegetables, while the bitter-sweet aftertaste and crisp acidity will provide a refreshing contrast to the rich and succulent duck meat. This pairing will create a culinary experience that celebrates the wine’s character and elevates the dining experience to new levels of gourmet delight. Cheers!

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