What kind of wine is Salento Primitivo IGT 'Sé' 2023 - Gianfranco Fino?

The Salento Primitivo IGT 'Sé' 2023 - Gianfranco Fino is a Puglian red wine born in the heart of Salento, the historical cradle of the Primitivo grape variety. This is Gianfranco Fino's latest creation, a producer emblematic in promoting this indigenous grape, who, with "Sé," offers a fresher, more modern, and more accessible expression compared to the renowned "Es."

Produced from young bush-trained vines — a traditional cultivation method that promotes low yields and high aromatic concentration — this wine combines structure and balance, maintaining pleasant drinkability. The result is a red wine with personality, capable of telling the authentic soul of the Salento territory.

Vintage details

The 2023 vintage was characterized by a balanced climate, with warm and windy days typical of Salento. The temperature excursions between day and night favored optimal grape ripening, enhancing the aromatic component of the Primitivo. The grapes were meticulously hand-picked in the first half of September, at the perfect moment of phenolic ripeness, when sugars, acids, and tannins reach the right balance.

Vinification and aging

After harvesting, the grapes of Salento Primitivo IGT 'Sé' 2023 - Gianfranco Fino undergo fermentation in steel tanks at a controlled temperature, to preserve the fruit's fragrance. The maceration — the contact between skins and must — lasts several days to delicately extract color and soft tannins.

This is followed by 9 months of aging in oak barriques, some new and some first-passage, which enriches the wine with toasted and spicy notes without overpowering it. Finally, the wine rests for another six months in the bottle, thus achieving a perfect balance between power and finesse.

Tasting notes

The Salento Primitivo IGT 'Sé' 2023 - Gianfranco Fino is a wine that captivates with its harmony and the balance between body and freshness, offering a complete and pleasant sensory experience.

Color

Visually, it presents an intense ruby red with violet reflections, a sign of its youth and the extractive richness typical of Primitivo. The full and bright color anticipates a generous aromatic profile.

Nose

On the nose, aromas of ripe red fruit emerge — cherry, plum, and blackberry — enriched by subtle spicy notes of vanilla and cocoa derived from its time in wood. With aeration, delicate balsamic nuances and Mediterranean scrub notes become discernible, lending depth and freshness.

Palate

On the palate, it is enveloping and soft, with a full but never heavy body. The tannins — natural substances present in the skins and grape seeds that give structure and a sensation of dryness — are silky and well-integrated. The persistence is long, with a return of ripe fruits and a pleasant spicy note on the finish. It all concludes with a sense of balance that invites a second glass.

Food pairings for Salento Primitivo IGT 'Sé' 2023 - Gianfranco Fino

This Primitivo pairs perfectly with flavorful and well-structured dishes, and is ideal for convivial and informal occasions. Recommended pairings include:

• Grilled or roasted red meats
• Meat ragù or rich traditional Puglian sauces
• Aged or semi-aged cheeses
• Mediterranean dishes with a touch of spices or aromatic herbs

It is also an excellent meditation wine, to be enjoyed on its own to appreciate every nuance.

Storage and aging: how to store Salento Primitivo IGT 'Sé' 2023 - Gianfranco Fino

To preserve its qualities, it is advisable to store Salento Primitivo IGT 'Sé' 2023 - Gianfranco Fino in a cool, vibration-free place, with a constant temperature between 14 and 16°C, and the bottle laid horizontally to keep the cork moist.

While enjoyable when young, thanks to its structure and well-dosed tannic component, it can age in the bottle for 4-6 years, developing more complex and rounder aromas. It is a wine destined to provide satisfaction over time, both for novice enthusiasts and for those seeking an elegant red with an authentically Salento character.