Sunce Winery & Vineyard, Primitivo 2019, Circle Bar Ranch, Santo Giordano Vineyard, Sonoma Carneros, Sonoma County, California

Tasting Note: A ripe, fruity primitivo with a full and round midpalate.

Deep-intensity purple in color, this wine has an aromatic, medium-plus-intensity nose of black plum, raspberry puree, blackberry, blueberry, cassis and dried cherry.

On the palate the dry, full-bodied primitivo has medium-plus-intensity, black-fruit flavors suggested on the nose supported by medium acidity and slightly-grippy tannin ultimately completing with a long finish.

The wine is hearty without overpowering the senses exactly the way one wants a primitivo to be.

Bottle Note: Sunce is a family winery located in the Russian River Valley appellation of Sonoma County – specializing in small artisan lots of vineyard designated varietal wine and classic blends. Sue Smith’s beautiful hillside primitivo is a beacon to artisan winemakers. A deep garnet color leads to mysterious forbidden-like fruit reminiscent of black cherries and currants, but somehow just a tad bit otherworldly. A hint of smoldering sage and séance-inducing potpourri taunt the olfactory. Pair with: Pasta Putanesca, baba ghanoush, Thai eggplant in a black bean sauce, dolmas, falafel, hummus, shawarma, sabih with tahini, and chicken schnitzel. Be creative! Only 14 barrels made.