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Primitivo

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Uvaggio 2009 Primitivo (Lodi)

Editors' Choice
Online Exclusive

Price $16

Another stunner from Uvaggio, who is making stellar wines across the board from Lodi grapes, low in alcohol (13%) and fairly priced. This fruity Primitivo can be enjoyed all night from before a meal to during to a bedtime sendoff—it just gets better and better in the glass. Pomegranate, cherry, toffee, they’re all in this soft, easy-drinking wine. — V.B. (7/1/2011)

Forgeron 2007 Primitivo (Columbia Valley (WA))

Online Exclusive

Price $30

Nothing shy here; this 100% Primitivo, from the Stonetree vineyard, lists the alcohol at 15.5%. Dark and musky, lightly earthy and soft, it’s a luscious bottle which blankets the tongue with rustic (in a good way) black fruits and exotic spices. For the finishing kicker, barrel aging brings in dark chocolate. Rare and wonderful. — P.G. (11/1/2010)

Tormaresca 2007 Torcicoda Primitivo (Salento)

This lavish wine boats fine winemaking. Its beautiful flavors of plump cherry, leather, chocolate and tobacco are backed by soft tannins and a rich, round mouthfeel. This should pair with meat or pasta. — M.L. (6/1/2012)

Tormaresca 2009 Torcicoda Primitivo (Salento)

Soft, plush and bold, this is a modern and elegant wine. It opens with bright notes of cherry and blackberry, but also offers loads of toasted almond and dark chocolate on the close. — M.L. (6/1/2012)

Hendry 2002 Block 24 Primitivo (Napa Valley)

Price $28

For California Primitivo this wine advances the argument a mile. It’s rich and ripe in berry, cocoa and coffee flavors, with a fabulously delicious finish. What it has in common with Zinfandel is a briary exuberance, but it’s really closer in quality to a fine Napa Cab. — S.H. (8/1/2005)

Rockledge Vineyards 2001 Primitivo (Napa Valley)

Price $24

Somewhat floral up front, with a sleek, elegant mouthfeel. Silky smooth tannins frame a core of black cherry, coffee, herb, spice, anise, herb and clove flavors. It’s made in a classy style from Zinfandel’s alter ego, Primitivo, which is just a clone of the quintessential California variety. — J.M. (8/1/2004)

Ca'ntele 2002 Primitivo (Salento)

Best Buy

Price $11

Excellent Southern Italian Primitivo. The sweet nose bursts with freshness, plums, berries and dry earth. It’s neither heavy nor lean, with ripe plum, watermelon and chocolate flavors. Undoubtedly superb with pasta or pizza. — M.S. (2/1/2005)

L'Astore Masseria 2008 Jèma Primitivo (Salento)

This is a pretty expression of Primitivo, showing a nice balance of ripe fruit and blackberry set against savory tones of spice and tobacco. That balance continues onto the palate, where the wine is plush, rich and slightly sweet. — M.L. (6/1/2012)

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Alberto Longo A-Mano Andretti Angel Vine Borgo al Castello Botromagno Bray Brutocao C.G. di Arie Calatrasi Canaletto Ca'ntele Cantine Due Palme Cantine Pichieri Casa Catelli Castellani Castello Monaci Collier Falls Columbia Crest Conti Zecca Dardano Felline Feudi di San Marzano Feudi di Terra d'Otranto Feudo Monaci Forgeron Fratelli Gancia Giordano Hard Row To Hoe Hendry Jacuzzi La Corte La Pisara L'Astore Masseria Ledson Leone de Castris Li Veli Mantra Masseria Altemura Masseria del Fauno Matané Mocavero Mosby Ognissole Oso Libre Ottimino Vineyards Palamà Pheasant Valley Winery Rockledge Vineyards Rosa d'Oro Santa Barbara Winery Schola Sarmenti di Terrulenta Shenandoah Sobon Estate Sorelle Winery Tenuta Viglione Tenute Rubino Terra Jovia Terrale Tobin James Tormaresca Trione Uvaggio Valle dell'Asso Viansa Vigne & Vini Vigneti Reale Villa Schinosa Villa Vignamaggio Vinagri Puglia SRL Vinosia VJB