San Marzano Anniversario 62 Primitivo Riserva

Intense ruby red colour; wide and complex to the nose, fruity with prune and cherry jam aroma, notes of tobacco and slightly spicy. A full-bodied wine, soft and rich in fine tannins, with notes of cocoa, coffee and vanilla in the end.

• Winery:  San Marzano
  
• Varietal: Primitivo di Manduria
  
• Region: Puglia, Italy
• Vintage: 2018
  
• Alcohol: 14.5%
  
• Volume: 750ml
  
• Closure: Cork
• Food match: Grilled meats & hamburgers; meatballs & spaghetti Bolognese; pizza; mushrooms & onions; Parmesan & matured cheeses
  

Celebrating the year in which Cantine San Marzano was founded (1962), this Riserva is aged for 18 months in barriques to express all the strength and richness of the slightly overripe Primitivo grapes. An intense and complex wine, full-bodied and remarkably persistent, soft and rich in fine tannins.

Cantine San Marzano is a cooperative winery in the centre of the Primitivo di Manduria DOP zone of Puglia, southern Italy. The enterprise was founded in 1962 by 19 grape growers.

Bulk wines were produced until 1996, when a bottling line was installed. After this the Cantine began to focus on its own brand. For San Marzano Primitivo is, unsurprisingly, the principal grape variety. However, Negromaro, Merlot, Chardonnay, Malvasia Bianco, Malvasia Nera and Fiano are among the other grape varieties cultivated.

The portfolio features two multi wine subsidiary brands, Il Pumo and Talò. They both include a range of white rosé and red wines made under the Salento IGP designation. There is also an Il Pumo Salice Salentino DOP red, and a Talò Primitivo di Manduria DOP.

Several stand-alone cuvées are also released. These include the flagship product, Sessantanni Old Vines Primitivo di Manduria, which was first produced in 2000. This full-bodied wine is made from fruit sourced from selected vines of at least 60 years of age. The vineyards are located around San Marzano and Sava. Fermented with native yeasts, it is aged in French and American oak barrels for 12 months.

Liboll Extra Dry is a sparkling wine made mainly from Chardonnay with other native white grapes. Grappa and olive oil is also produced. 

In 2015 Masseria Samia was acquired. The restored 16th Century farmhouse by the Ionian Sea, once restored, will be used for food and wine courses. The vineyard is being used as a research facility. It is dedicated to nearly forgotten local grape varieties, and less familiar clones of the more familiar ones. 

• 98/100 Points & Best Red Wine of Italy - Luca Maroni (2018 vintage)
  
• Gold - 2022 New Zealand International Wine Show (2018 vintage)
  
• Gold - 2022 Sélections Mondiales Des Vins Canada (2018 vintage)
  
• Gold - 2022 Vinitaste International Wine Contest (2018 vintage)
  
• Gold - 2022 BerlinerWein Trophy, Winter Tasting (2018 vintage)
  
• Gold - 2022 Mundus Vini, Spring Tasting (2018 vintage)
  
• Silver - Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition (2018 vintage)
  
• 89/100 Points - Wine Enthusiast (2018 vintage)
  
• 87/100 Points - Decanter World Wine Awards (2018 vintage)
  
• 98/100 Points & Best Red Wine of Italy - Luca Maroni (2017 vintage)
  
• Double Gold - 2020 New Zealand International Wine Show (2017 vintage)
  
• Gold - 2021 Japan Awards (2017 vintage)
  
• Gold - 2021 Singapore Wine Awards (2017 vintage)
  
• Gold - 2021 Mundus Vini, Spring Tasting (2017 vintage)