Varvaglione Papale Oro Primitivo di Manduria 2020

Varvaglione "Papale Oro" Primitivo di Manduria, Salento, Puglia, Italy, 2020

Grape: 100% Primitivo, 13.8g/L residual sugar (off-dry style), aged in French & American oak barrels for 10 months

Producer Tasting Note:

Deep, dark, and irresistibly seductive. Aromas of kirsch, plum, and spicy oak; flavours of dark chocolate, ripe cherries, and spice. Puglian excellence, offering warmth, character, and approachability. Complexity, pure fruit intensity, and plush velvet texture. Layers of black cherry and blueberry fruit, balanced by refreshing vibrancy from start to finish.

The Primitivo variety has been cultivated for centuries in the Puglia region. It tends to have high vigour, mature relatively quickly and produce high yields. Drought and high temperatures can be a problem so using the alberello system of training allow for better vine management. Vines are planted in the province of Taranto at an altitude of 150-200 metres above sea level and the harvest is done by hand.

Varvaglione is one of the oldest wineries in southern Italy, producing wines since 1921 from a wide variety of local grapes.

Critics' Tasting Notes:

"Brilliant ruby colour with deep dark, almost impenetrable core. Presents dark and elegant nose of dark chocolate, toasty aromas, black cherry. Draws velvety over the palate, savoury and fruity until the lingering finish."

91/100 points, FALSTAFF (Austria), October 2023

"On the nose, the bite of cinnamon and wild mint is softened by comforting aromas of vanilla, tobacco leaf and strawberry. The palate leans into that gentleness, with milk chocolate and even sweeter strawberries, while powdery tannins bring a unifying earthiness."

90/100 points, WINE ENTHUSIAST, October 2024

Also awarded Silver Medal Mundus Vini (2024), Gold Medal Berlin Wine Trophy (2023) and Gold Sakura (2024)

Food Matching: It pairs very well with red meat, game, heavy sauces, but also with spicy food and hard cheeses.