A Mano Primitivo 2006 - $8

David: Medium purple red in color. Nose of black cherry, root vegetables, violets and pepper and herbs. Full bodied, medium acidity and smooth texture with good black berry fruit. Moderate tannins. Tasty finish. Overall, quite nice and a good value.
Score: 4.0/5

Jessica: Distinctive tannins; well balanced sweetness with tart and herbal tones. Mild fruit, licorice and lavendar. Very enjoyable.
Score: 4:3/5

Cantele Primitivo 2007 - $10

A primitivo from Puglia, Italy.

David: Crimson in color. Nose of blueberries, wet stone, black tea, violets and earth. That typical smell of petite syrah or zin. Medium bodied, medium acidity. A little thinner than other primitivos I have had. Good cherry and berry fruit and good structure. A little liquorish on the back end. An enjoyable wine.
Score 3.9/5

Jessica: I am liking it.
Score 3.9

Botromagno Primitivo 2005 -$14

David: Another Primitivo from Puglia, the heel of the boot of Italy. Color is garnet. Nose has rich, dark fruit with leather and earthiness, hint of chocolate. Immediately pleasing on the palate with ripe blueberry and fig, decent acidity, juicy in the cheeks. Smooth tannins transit into a long and lovely blueberry finish. Had with grilled steak which seemed to bring out a little spice in the wine. A good match. Not super complex but very tasty and a great value.
Score 4.3/5

Jessica: bold, dry and peppery. Slight dark fruits. Round tannins, spicy, long complicated finish. Strong nose, full-bodied. Great depth.
Score: 4.4/5

Prima Mano Primitivo - 2006 - $14

From the Salento Peninsula in Puglia, the heel of the boot of Italy. The wine is grown in red sand vineyards on the coast of the Ionian sea. The Italian "Primitivo" gets its name because it ripens early but the grape is genetically identical to Zinfandel.

Jessica: Strong tannins, jammy aftertaste with dark fruits. Well balanced acidity, this is a beautiful, full-bodied wine, dark magenta in color. Some stoney mineral elements present.
Score: 4.4/5

David: Rich, purple-red in color. Nose of herbs, lavender and graphite on top of rich dark fruits. Maybe a faint whiff of cocoa. Ripe, blackberry and blueberry fruit dominate. A full bodied chewy texture. Medium acidity and massive tannins. A very enjoyable wine is great alone or with food.
Score 4.3/5