San Marzano Fifth Collection - 0.75l
The "Collezione Cinquanta" of San Marzano was created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Cantine San Marzano. The winery, founded in 1962, released this special wine in 2012. The label of each bottle proudly displays the years from 1962 to 2012. This wine is made without a specific vintage and is made up of a blend of 50% Primitivo and 50% Negroamaro from the best vintages.
The exact ratio of this mixture remains the cellar master's well-kept secret. The Primitivo grapes for this cuvée come from the Sessantanni Valley, which houses 40 hectares of ancient Primitivo bush vines in the heart of the DOP of Primitivo di Manduria - a sign of authentic Apulian tradition. These vines, which are on average 60 years old, are harvested by hand in the second week of September. Despite the low yield per hectare, these grapes impress with their high quality.
The Negroamaro grapes, on the other hand, come from Salento's oldest vineyards and are typically harvested in the last week of September. While other wineries in the region chose to replace old vines with modern ones, Cantine San Marzano is committed to preserving and valuing these old vines.
Blending these two characterful wines, the sweet and round Primitivo and the dark and spicy Negroamaro, was a real challenge. But the result speaks for itself: an intense, ruby red wine with notes of plum and red jam, interspersed with spicy Accents and a hint of vanilla and licorice, seduces. After 12 months in French oak barrels, it is full-bodied, soft and balanced with a long-lasting finish. It goes particularly well with red meat, game dishes and spicy starters.
This wine has already received several awards, including 98 points from Luca Maroni and the award as "Best Red Wine in Italy", Grand Gold at both Mundus Vini and the Berliner Wein Trophy, 2 red glasses at the Gambero Rosso, Gold at the Berliner Wine Trophy, silver in the Decanter and 91 points in the Falstaff.
