2020 Cantine San Marzano, "Sessantanni" Primitivo di Manduria, Puglia - 750ML

Score: 94 Points – Luca Maroni

From the sun-drenched vineyards of Puglia’s Primitivo di Manduria zone, Cantine San Marzano’s “Sessantanni” is produced from old bush vines averaging over sixty years of age. These deeply rooted vines yield small quantities of intensely concentrated fruit, creating one of southern Italy’s most widely recognized expressions of Primitivo. The warm, generous 2020 vintage delivers the wine’s signature richness while maintaining a polished, balanced profile.

Blend:
100% Primitivo

Tasting Notes:
Deep ruby in the glass, the wine opens with powerful aromas of ripe blackberry, plum preserves, and dark cherry layered with notes of cocoa, vanilla, sweet spice, and Mediterranean herbs. The palate is full-bodied and velvety, delivering dense black fruit, hints of licorice and mocha, and a touch of toasted oak that adds depth without overwhelming the fruit. The finish is long, smooth, and warmly spiced.

Structure:
Full-bodied, plush, and richly textured.

Drink Window:
2024–2030

Decanting:
Decant for 30–45 minutes when young to allow the wine’s dense fruit and spice notes to fully open.

“Sessantanni” remains one of the benchmark wines of Primitivo di Manduria, celebrated for its old-vine concentration and opulent southern Italian character. Rich enough for hearty cuisine yet smooth and approachable on its own, the 2020 vintage offers a bold and satisfying expression of Puglia’s most iconic grape.