A Mano, Bianco' Fiano/Greco
Vintage: 2024
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | AM102B24 | 6 x 75 | Screwcap | Available |
Producer
Mark Shannon and his partner Elvezia Sbalchiero, have revolutionised the style and calibre of Primitivo, turning it into one of Puglia’s most talked about grape varieties. They achieved this at A Mano in Salento by paying fair, high prices for the best possible grapes (sourced from 70 to 100-year-old vines) and focusing exclusively on quality while crafting a modern style. As the old saying goes, where you lead, others will follow.
The continued success of A Mano is at least partly attributable to the knowledge that Mark and Elvezia have gleaned from over 18 vintages in Puglia. Not only do they have access to Salento’s best grapes, but their growers have also realised that if they want the higher price paid by A Mano, they need to provide quality to match.
The quality of fruit shines through in A Mano wines. The A Mano Bianco is made from 100% Fiano and displays aromas of ripe pear and orange blossom. The Rosato, made from 100% Primitivo, is fermented at low temperatures to retain the delicate perfume of the variety. The ‘Imprint’ Primitivo Appassito is made in the style of an Amarone and delivers a similarly rich and powerful expression. The rare and ancient red Puglian variety, Susumaniello, was used mostly as a blending component until a few years ago. The name means ‘little donkey’ in the local dialect, referring to the enormous load the vines bear when young. Others argue the name derives from it being stubborn and difficult to manage. The wine is deep, inky purple and full-bodied, with intense aromas of blackberry and violets.
A Mano’s range of ‘Prima Mano’ wines are only produced in excellent vintages. The ‘Prima Mano’ Primitivo is sourced from two ancient vineyards planted on the red sand soils of the Ionian coast; the resulting wine is extremely dark and concentrated, with the spiciness typical of this variety. The ‘Prima Mano’ Negroamaro hails from 70-year-old vines. The wine is beautifully complex, with velvety tannins and notes of rose petals, violets, black cherries, and damask plums.
Vineyards
This wine is made from the Fiano Minutolo clone from Puglia which resembles Riesling or Viognier. The Fiano Minutolo vineyards are situated in the Itria valley in the heart of Puglia. The valleys provide constant airflow from the Adriatic Sea to the warmer interior area. Fresh breezes lower the night-time temperatures, encouraging the development of lovely perfumes in the grapes. Greco grapes for the wine come from a non-irrigated, sandy hillside vineyard. The average ages of the vines is between 20 and 40 years old.
Vintage
The 2024 was a very good vintage in Puglia. The combination of a dry and mild winter, with a warm and dry spring resulted in budding among some varieties. The summer saw high temperatures and little water which despite causing some water stress on the vines, eliminated the possibility of disease and fungal growth. Overall the conditions allowed for optimal ripeness, and development of varietal character.
Vinification
Upon arrival at the winery, the grapes were gently pressed with fermentation taking place in temperature-controlled resin-lined concrete tanks for 10 weeks. A small portion of the Fiano grapes were dried until the end of October, after which they were pressed and blended into the wine at the very end of fermentation. The wine was then aged for three months in stainless-steel tanks and three months in bottle.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
This wine is straw yellow in colour with some green reflections. A compelling wine which combines crisp and clean flavours with concentration and length. Aromas of nectarines, pear, orange blossom and a hint of jasmine on the nose, with a racy acidity and fresh finish.
Alcohol (ABV)
12%
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Mano | Primitivo di Puglia | AM101 | R | ||
| Primitivo Rosato | AM103 | Ro | Factsheet | ||
| `Prima Mano` Primitivo | AM105 | R | Factsheet | ||
| Negroamaro | AM106 | R | Factsheet | ||
| `Imprint` Primitivo Appassito | AM110 | R | Factsheet | ||
| `Imprint` Susumaniello | AM111 | R | Factsheet | ||
| `Prima Mano` Negroamaro | AM112 | R | Factsheet |