"I usually love primitivo, but this one has a rather unpleasant chocolatey flavour - I even wondered whether it was a problem with the bottle, but can't be sure. Improved somewhat after it had been open for a while, but still."

"I found this Primitivo very disappointing. As primitivo is one of my favourite wines and having drunk many in Puglia I bought the society’s own but it lacked depth and in no way resembled the usual fruity, full bodied red wine I am used to. "

"This wine is rank. I have spent a lot of time in Southern Italy and it's hard to find a Primitivo from Puglia that is bad. I thought originally maybe the bottle was corked but all three of them tasted the same. I won't be buying this again."

"This wine is fantastic value. It is really well balanced and smooth. After a day in the decanter it was fabulous. Lots of black fruit with hints of caramel, toffee and smoke. It's impressive to find such a smooth, well balanced red at this price. I can't think of a better value Italian red I've had. We'll be back for more. "

I would recommend this wine

"This is a wine that seems to divide opinion. I side with Mr Manley in finding this full, fruity, and easy drinking. It is rich, plummy, and sweet, with 14% alcohol. Tannins are light and fade. Slightly too sweet for my taste but good for a warm winters evening by the fire. My wine was not corked as others have reported."

"This wine was either designed to be very jammy and raisiny, which tasted slightly oxidised or it was simply corked. Either way it was a disappointing purchase."

"Not for me I'm afraid-pretty typical of Primitivo in my experience-jammy overtones which I find unappetizing and a bit over priced"

"This was a delightful surprise in a mixed case from the Society. Very drinkable, with or without food, and I shall be ordering more."

"I've had two bottles of this shared with different people and I think it's excellent value. Subtle but flavoursome and not overpowering. Relatively easy drinking but enough interest."

I would recommend this wine

"Fruit juice with an unpleasant nose."

"This wine was unfortunately corked, rather unpleasant if it wasn't, but both drinkers immediately felt the same."

"I’m afraid I completely disagree with Mr Gibson. Primitivo in some cases can be rather ‘over cooked’ but not in this case. This has the weight you’d expect from Primitivo but with a refined balanced finish, a touch of acidity giving the wine a moreish ‘sappiness’. I’d advise breathing it for an hour beforehand to fully appreciate this rather lovely example of southern Italian wine."

"Nice wine. Fruity. A bit of an acidic finish But not worth the £ I’m afraid. "

There are no press reviews for this product.

2017 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS

"Closer to 3.5 stars rather than 4. Blueberry, cherry, and a hint of violet on the nose. Bramble fruits to taste with dark chocolate and raisin. Not bad."

Mr Mark Watson (28-May-2020)

"Excellent wine at a great price, we came across Primitivo a few years ago and it is now our go to red. This is a great example of one, rich and smooth and would recommend!"

Mrs Nicola Jackson (06-May-2020)

"A smooth and generous wine with lots of fruit - predominantly plum and bramble, with notes of black pepper and a hint of dark chocolate. I have a love-hate relationship with California zinfandel - I sometimes like them, but often find them overpowering and aggressive. This is altogether subtler, more elegant and agreeable. I can see why some members who are clearly fans of California zinfandel might find this a bit tame, but for my palate it's a winner. Bonus point - it went beautifully with a Mexican meal with lots of chipotle, which isn't the easiest match!"

Ms Rachel Sloan (22-Mar-2020)

"Rather disappointing at the price point. The Old Vine Brazin Zin is far better. Not too much fruit and just a hint of bitterness. Quite how this wine won a Decanter award I know not; but perhaps that is more to do with the Decanter awards than the wine."

Mr Ian Day (15-Jan-2020)

"We found this wine harsh and lacking in fruit. Even after recantation. We were expecting cherry fruit, mellowed in the primitivo style. Very disappointed. Unfortunately we opened both bottles at the same time so couldn’t return them for refund. Definitely not to be recommended. "

Mr Peter Farnell (26-Dec-2019)

"Make sure you let this breathe for at least 30 minutes in a jug or glass - it’ll make a world of difference. "

Mr Paul Robins (14-Dec-2019)

"A very mild and gentle example of Primitivo, not at all like several others I've bought and drunk. Was expecting a much fruitier and gutsy wine at this price."

Mr John Mountford (12-Dec-2019)

"I found this to be smooth, dark and fruity - very drinkable on it's own or with a winter meal. Certainly not a light wine but very enjoyable - I will be buying more."

Mr Alan Bennett (07-Nov-2019)

Mrs Victoria Storer-Young (25-Sep-2019)

"Excellent value for money. Lovely dark red wine, very fruity with a good hint of spices. Blackberries, damsons and the like......by the bucketful! "

Mr Paul R Unwin (26-May-2019)

2017 VINTAGE - PRESS REVIEWS

Rotherham Advertiser (17th Apr 2019)

"A deep flavoured, brooding, velvety wine. - David Clay"

2016 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS

"The Wine Society’s version holds its own well and serves as a great introduction to this style of wine. Characteristic dark fruits with good concentration of rich fig and dried plum. Nicely mouth-filling and well balanced. There is also plenty of that southern Italian ‘sun-baked’ quality without being overly intense. "

Mr John-Paul Featherstone (01-Aug-2019)

"I can't believe the number of good reviews on this - I was so looking forward to trying it and so disappointed having now done so. I know Primotivo can be bitter and often mouth-puckeringly tanic but good ones are balanced with good fruit. This one was not. Or was I unlucky with a bad bottle? I notice the vintage is now out of stock but can't believe my bad experience was because it was past its best - surely the above points would point to too young a wine? I'd really like the Society's buyers to respond, even if just to tell me I'm wrong..."

Mr Johnny Holmes (13-Mar-2019)

"Sometimes smooth is boring but here it isn't. There is enough depth to this to make it a winner. Silky and interesting."

Mr Thomas Vail (12-Mar-2019)

"A very satisfying wine, rich, smooth, with a deep and long finish. Not the cheapest, but holds its own against others of its varietal."

Prof Roger Barton (08-Mar-2019)

"Excellent. Smooth but with a bite. "

Mr Keith Mantell (27-Feb-2019)

"Great value. So rich and hearty, but where a primitivo/zin can sometimes be a bit cloying there's enough tannin and grip to keep this more palatable, and goes really well with food. "

Mr Ben Sherwood (23-Feb-2019)

"A wonderful Primitivo with real depth and powerful fruit. As with other Wine Society own labels it really does punch above ots weight and is a great advert for Italian Primitivo."

Mr Kevin Hewitt (14-Feb-2019)

"For myself I would perhaps have given this wine three and a half stars since drunk without food it seemed a little sharp in places. However, the friends with whom I shared the wine were bowled over by it and one is considering joining the society as a result. Popular opinion therefore demands a five star review!"

Mr Tom Lavercombe (22-Jan-2019)

"Lovely wine that I tasted with Manchego. Highly recommended."

Mr Ray Mount (15-Dec-2018)

"One of my favourite TWS own labels. Full-bodied and delicious."

Mr Richard Hadfield (07-Nov-2018)

"Very good Primitivo. Deep ruby in colour. Smooth and full bodied. Long lasting finish. Great value"

Mr Tom Rodger (03-Nov-2018)

"Excellent wine. Rich plummy loganberry flavours and some tannin make it better with food. "

Mr Colin Mitchell (23-Sep-2018)

"Wow. Lots and lots of dried prunes and raisins. Full bodied. 3.5 stars. One to match with food perhaps, think it would be four stars with the right grub."

Mr Michael Sherwin (27-Aug-2018)

"excellent! Long on the taste bud and very good value"

Mr David Jerdan (05-Jul-2018)

"So smooth, I'll buy again. It compares well to the Society's Zinfandel (currently out of stock) but is that little bit pricier."

Mr Tom Bulley (15-May-2018)

"Lovely expressions of deep red sweet plummy fruit. This is full of flavour and sunshine and imagine would be an ideal accompaniment to classic Italian Ragu and pasta, bbq food or even a hearty lamb stew. This was an easy, not have work too hard kind of wine."

Ms Leah Newman (01-May-2018)

Mr Richard Simon (28-Apr-2018)

Mr Michael Martin (11-Feb-2018)

"Excellent Primitivo, fruity, deep and powerful, lovely nose and nice long, dry finish"

Mr Roddy Wallace (16-Dec-2017)

"Super new Soc wine. Tasted with food against Tarantino Primitivo Segnavento, Pervini 2015 which itself had some depth but the class of this, younger wine shone through. Pity the opening offer price cannot be maintained!"

Mr John W Prescott (09-Dec-2017)

2016 VINTAGE - PRESS REVIEWS

The Daily Mail (22nd Sep 2018)

"Oof, this is a big fellow, and I've selected it for those of you who want to make Rosemary [Shrager]'s pheasant breasts with wild mushroom pappardelle recipe. The wine complements the depth of flavour in this dish on account of its stunning black cherry-soaked fruit. - Matthew Jukes"

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