2019 Gianfranco Fino ES Riserva

The 2019 Gianfranco Fino ES Riserva is one of the benchmark expressions of Primitivo di Manduria, a wine that has helped redefine what this historic Apulian grape can achieve. Deeply concentrated yet remarkably refined, it marries opulent Southern Italian fruit with precision, balance and length. This Riserva has become a modern icon, celebrated for its small‑parcel sourcing, extremely low yields and unwavering focus on quality.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2019 ES Riserva shows an impenetrable, inky ruby core with garnet highlights at the rim, hinting at both richness and evolution. The nose is intense and layered: ripe black cherry, plum compôte and blackberry jam intertwine with notes of licorice, dark chocolate, sweet tobacco, baking spices, dried figs and a subtle balsamic lift. On the palate, this is full‑bodied, powerful and enveloping, with a velvety texture and remarkable concentration. Ripe black and red fruits are framed by cocoa, espresso, vanilla, leather and a touch of Mediterranean herbs. The tannins are abundant yet polished, giving structure without harshness, while fresh acidity keeps the wine from feeling heavy. The finish is very long and warm, echoing sweet spice and dried fruit. Enjoyable now with a proper decant, it has the stuffing to evolve gracefully for 10–15 years from the vintage, gaining even more complexity and tertiary notes.

Production
Sourced from old, low‑yielding Primitivo vines in the heart of Primitivo di Manduria in Puglia, the ES Riserva reflects a warm Mediterranean climate tempered by sea breezes and mineral‑rich clay and limestone soils. Grapes are typically hand‑harvested at optimal ripeness, often from bush‑trained (alberello) vines, with extremely rigorous selection to ensure only the healthiest, most concentrated berries make it into the final wine. In the cellar, fermentation takes place in temperature‑controlled tanks to preserve aromatics while extracting deep color and tannin, followed by extended maturation in high‑quality oak barriques, where the wine develops its signature layers of spice, chocolate and complexity before bottling as a Riserva.

Food & Serving
The 2019 ES Riserva is a natural partner for richly flavored, slow‑cooked dishes: braised short ribs, ossobuco, lamb shanks, grilled or barbecued meats, game stews, and mature hard cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano or aged Pecorino. It also works beautifully with hearty ragù, lasagne, or truffle‑infused dishes. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F). Decant for 1–2 hours before serving to allow the aromatics to unfurl and the tannins to fully soften, especially in its youth.

Producer
Gianfranco Fino is widely regarded as one of the key figures in the renaissance of Primitivo di Manduria, earning cult status for his uncompromising approach to quality. Founded in Puglia in the early 2000s, the estate quickly gained international recognition for intense yet finely crafted red wines from old‑vine Primitivo parcels, many trained in the traditional alberello system. Fino’s meticulous vineyard work, extremely low yields and careful élevage have helped elevate the reputation of the region and of Primitivo itself, with ES often ranking among the most sought‑after and highly awarded wines of Southern Italy.

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