Puglia's most celebrated and internationally recognized red wine DOC — the Taranto peninsula and Primitivo di Manduria Secco (dry) and Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale DOCG (sweet) producing Primitivo (genetically identical to California's Zinfandel) of extraordinary concentration, richness, and dark fruit character from head-trained bush vines (alberello) on the Mediterranean terra rossa soils. Primitivo di Manduria's combination of 15-17% natural alcohol, intense dark fruit, and the complexity of very old alberello vines has attracted international collectors seeking Italy's most hedonistic red wines. The Dolce Naturale DOCG — a rare passito-style sweet Primitivo — is one of Italy's most distinctive and underrated dessert wines.
| Year | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | — | Good vintage with typical Primitivo richness; dark fruit intensity with balanced alcohol and good structure |
| 2022 | — | Outstanding Primitivo di Manduria vintage; ancient alberello Primitivo from terra rossa showed extraordinary dark fruit concentration and the variety's characteristic power. |
| 2021 | — | Classic vintage; Mediterranean summer produced wines of excellent concentration and the rich plum-chocolate character of great alberello Primitivo. |
| 2020 | — | Benchmark year; Pervini Sessantanni and Gianfranco Fino Es both received extraordinary international attention; the 'Puglia revolution' in full force. |
| 2019 | — | Greatest Primitivo vintage of the modern era; old-vine alberello wines of historic concentration and 15+ year aging potential; prices rose dramatically. |
| 2018 | — | Warm vintage producing generous Primitivo of excellent dark fruit richness; terra rossa soils expressed the variety's characteristic blueberry and tobacco complexity. |