San Marzano Sessantanni Primitivo

Intense ruby red colour. A wide and complex bouquet, fruity with prune and cherry jam aroma, hints of tobacco. In the mouth, full-bodied, well-balanced, soft and rich in elegant tannins. Long finish with notes of cocoa, coffee and vanilla.

• 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
  

An iconic wine, symbol of San Marzano’s way of thinking and working. Sessantanni Primitivo di Manduria DOP is the label that has changed the perception of wines from Puglia around the world. Made from grapes growing on old vines that are at least sixty years old and are trained over the traditional Alberello system of Puglia. Genius loci, the expression and pride in our history.

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. 

• Grand Gold - 2022 Sélections Mondiales des vins Canada (2018 vintage)
• 99/100 Points & Best Absolute Italian Wine - 2022 Annuario dei Migliori Vini Italiani Luca Maroni (2018 vintage)
• Gold - 2022 Vinitaste International Wine Contest (2018 vintage)
• Gold - 2021 The New Zealand International Wine Show (2018 vintage)
• Gold - 2022 Berliner Wein Trophy - Winter Tasting (2018 vintage)
• 5 Grappoli - 2023 Bibenda (2018 vintage)
• 4 Viti - 2023 Vitae AIS (2018 vintage)
• Tre Bicchieri - 2022 Vini D'Italia Gambero Rosso (2018 vintage)
• Silver - 2022 Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition (2018 vintage)
• Silver - 2023 Sakura Japan Women's Wine Awards (2018 vintage)