2017 Gianfranco Fino Se Primitivo di Manduria

The Michelin guide for the restaurants, the Vini d'Italia by publisher Gambero Rosso for the best Italian wines. The newest edition was recently published, judging on the quality of the wine and its continuity over the years. Michelin gives stars, the Gambero gives glasses. Tre Bicchieri (3 glasses) is the ultimate rating. The guide is 1000 pages thick, rated 2,350 producers and more than 10,000 wines. However, this guide remains the most important wine assessor in Italy and the wines of Gianfranco Fino have been voted the absolute number 1. Also in the June / July edition of Winelife 2 pages are devoted to the great wines of Gianfranco.

The Gianfranco Fino Sé is like the Es made of 100% Primitivo coming from a small vineyard of only 5HA, but even more special is the forced yield of only (average) 400 grams of grapes per plant. The vineyard and production takes place via a biodynamic approach. The grapes are picked manually and a very secure selection is already taking place in the vineyard. The grapes go in small crates and then immediately in a refrigerated truck.

The 2nd selection takes place in the winery at Gianfranco Fino, after which the remaining ones are pressed very lightly. The fermentation takes place at a low temperature for 3 weeks in stainless steel and completely on its natural yeasts. After that, the wine can stay for about 9 months in French oak, 33% new, 33% second use and 33% third use. After about 9 months of aging in wood, the wine is bottled without the help of clearance / filtering and then the Sé also gets at least 6 months of bottle aging before it is released.

The Gianfranco Sé has a bright red, lively and clear color. In the nose, the wine is fruity with raspberry, cherry and black currant with herbs (rosemary, thyme). In addition, also a little leather and chocolate. On the palate the wine is surprisingly fresh but medium to full-bodied and very juicy with a very good balanced acidity. A beautiful glass to meditate with and superb gastronomic with a good rib-eye, rabbit or with a lamb shoulder.