Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  12/8/2009 (link)

  (PRIMA MANO A-Mano) Holiday Special #1 Dear Friends, Holiday marketing can be overbearing and wine offers are no exception - everyone seems to have some form of year-end discount, combo-pack or deal that is tough to resist. Many of these are fluff masquerading as sales but (this year) some terrific deals are out there with legitimate cut-rate prices that are eye-popping. Every year in December we feature a few items that we deem "Holiday Specials". They are always among the most popular offers of the year but I don't like to make that big of a fuss over them (yeah, right). Even with my "just say no to holiday marketing" mindset, a few special prices rise above the rest and need to be singled out - this is one of them. You can forget any previous notions about A-Mano or this wine, their top-end Prima Mano. 2006 was a spectacular vintage in Puglia (I was there in Sept/Oct 2006) and the winery believes this is the best and most complex wine they've ever produced. For some astrological or metaphysical reason, 2006 appears to be a vintage that gave stellar results for almost all of central and southern Italy no matter the exposure or elevation and this bizarre bargain is a testament to that fact - it will run roughshod over many examples at 2-3 times the price. Drink it now or allow it to rest but one thing is certain, your teeth will require a stern brushing after the experience... From the winemaker: "Prima Mano Primitivo comes from two ancient vineyards grown in the red sand on the coast of the Ionian Sea. These two vineyards always produce our most intense Primitivo. The yields are very low and the red sand reflects sunlight onto the fruit for early ripening. They are the first vineyards harvested in September. The 2006 is a powerhouse! The intensity of raspberry, plum and briary flavors is immense. The deep dark color and abundant yet soft tannins give the wine great complexity and intrigue. We have aged all our previous vintages in the cellar and are continually astonished at how well they live." If the declassified wine is that good, get ready for the Prima Mano's wallop of fruit, intensity, perfume and a finish that lingers on the palate for a very long time - all for $7.99. Keep in mind, this is the current release at this price, not a cast-off vintage. FIRST COME FIRST SERVED up to 120/person until we run out (we cannot offer more than 10 cases/person) 2006 A-Mano Primitivo "Prima Mano" (this is not Mano A-Mano or A-Mano Primitivo - this is their strict selection Prima Mano) Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Italy7923