2022 Gianfranco Fino ES

The 2022 Gianfranco Fino ES is one of the benchmark wines of Primitivo di Manduria—intense, luxurious and deeply expressive of Puglia’s sun-drenched south. Crafted from old-vine Primitivo, this is a powerful yet polished red that balances sheer richness with remarkable finesse. Long considered a cult wine among Italian enthusiasts, ES showcases just how profound and ageworthy Primitivo can be when treated with utmost care in the vineyard and cellar.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2022 ES reveals an impenetrable, inky ruby core with violet reflections clinging to the rim—visually signalling the concentration to come. The nose is opulent and layered, opening with ripe blackberries, dark plums and black cherries, followed by notes of sweet baking spice, vanilla, cocoa, licorice and tobacco, with hints of dried figs, balsamic tones and Mediterranean herbs. On the palate, ES is full-bodied and velvety, with dense, almost creamy fruit wrapped around firm but polished tannins. Flavors of black fruit compote, chocolate, espresso, sweet spice and a touch of smoky oak unfold in successive waves, supported by a surprisingly fresh acid line that keeps the wine from feeling heavy. The finish is long, warm and persistent, with lingering notes of dark fruit, spice and a subtle savory edge. While already seductive in its youth, this 2022 vintage has the structure to evolve beautifully for 10–15 years under proper cellaring, gaining even greater complexity and harmony over time.

Production
ES is sourced from very old bush-trained Primitivo vines in the heart of Primitivo di Manduria, where the hot, dry Mediterranean climate, cool evening breezes and iron-rich, red sandy-clay soils over limestone combine to deliver intensely flavored, naturally low-yielding fruit. The vines are typically alberello-trained, a traditional method that helps protect grapes from the fierce Puglian sun and concentrates the berries. Harvest is carried out by hand in small crates, often slightly later than usual to achieve optimal ripeness, with meticulous bunch and berry selection both in the vineyard and at the winery. After gentle crushing, fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled tanks, allowing for a long maceration to extract color, tannin and aromatic depth. The wine is then aged in French oak barriques—many of them new—for a period that typically ranges around a year, followed by further refinement in bottle before release, resulting in a polished, richly textured expression of Primitivo.

Food & Serving
This is a hedonistic, richly structured wine that shines alongside equally bold cuisine. Think slow-braised beef or lamb shanks, osso buco, grilled ribeye, venison, wild boar ragù and other hearty meat dishes. It also pairs beautifully with aged hard cheeses, rich ragù-based pastas, truffle dishes and intensely flavored game preparations. Serve at 16–18°C (61–64°F) in large Bordeaux-style glasses to allow the aromatics to fully open. Decanting for 1–2 hours is highly recommended, especially in its youth, to soften the tannins and let the layers of fruit, spice and balsamic complexity emerge.

Producer
Gianfranco Fino is one of Puglia’s most acclaimed modern producers, widely credited with elevating Primitivo di Manduria to world-class status. Founded in the early 2000s, the estate quickly gained a cult following thanks to its obsessive focus on old vines, low yields and meticulous vineyard work. ES, the flagship cuvée, has become a reference point for top-tier Primitivo, frequently earning high scores and critical praise both in Italy and abroad. Working with historic bush-trained vineyards in prime Manduria sites, Gianfranco Fino has helped redefine the image of Puglian wine—from rustic and robust to refined, expressive and capable of long aging—cementing the winery’s reputation as a leading name in Southern Italy.

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