Tagaro Muso Rosso Primitivo 2023

Tagaro works in Puglia, in the warm south of Italy, and this wine comes from Primitivo di Manduria, a DOC near the Ionian coast that is the benchmark for the grape. The hot, dry Mediterranean climate and the red, iron-rich soils over limestone push Primitivo to full ripeness, giving deep colour, ripe dark fruit and fifteen percent alcohol, while the sea breezes off the coast lend a little freshness. Primitivo here is bold and generous, with a faint natural sweetness to its fruit. After fermentation the wine ages eight months in oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange softens the abundant tannins and the malolactic conversion rounds the acidity, while the barrel adds vanilla, toast and spice. The colour is dense and deep. The nose shows ripe plum and cherry, dark chocolate, raisin and black pepper over oak. The palate is full bodied and warming, rich and mouth-filling, with soft, ripe tannins and a long, spiced finish. This is a powerful, fruit-driven red. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees with rich, hearty dishes.