Masseria Cuturi 'Tuma' Primitivo, Salento, Puglia, Italy 2022

Today, under the leadership of the Rossi-Chauvenet family, there are nearly 140ha of Primitivo, Negramaro and Fiano vines planted. In addition to their commitment to the highest quality agriculture, the family continues to defend five-hundred-year-old olive trees, act as caretakers for woodlands and ancient archaeological sites that date from around 300 BCE, and preserve farm structures that were built between the late 1700s and the first years of the 1800s.

• Farming: Certified organic farming practices.
• Variety: 100% Primitivo
• Terroir: Clay and sand soils. Vine density of 4500 plants per hectare, trained in espalier with Guyot training.
• Vinification: Harvest carried out in mid-September with careful selection of healthy, ripe grapes. Seven-day maceration at controlled temperatures of 22°-28°C to extract color, aromas, and tannins, followed by alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel vats.
• Aging: Malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks, making Tumà more rounded and pleasant. Refined in steel tanks for three months before bottling.
• Tasting Note: Deep ruby red color with light ruby rims. Fragrant and fruity nose with fresh notes of blackberry and sweet spices. The palate reveals fruity notes of black fruit and sweet licorice, with a fresh and juicy finish.
• Pairings: Savory dishes, braised and roasted meats, semi-aged cheeses, spicy and herb-seasoned foods.
• Produced Bottles: 28,000

From our July 2024 Explore Like A Somm bottle cult notes:

Masseria Cuturi Tuma Primitivo, Salento, Puglia, Italy 2022
In 1881, Tommaso Schiavoni Tafuri, a wealthy landowner from Manduria, a prosperous town in the Salento region of Apulia, married Countess Sabini from Altamura. As part of her dowry, the noble Countess Sabini brought Primitivo grafted cuttings, which were planted in the fertile Conca D'Oro of the Cuturi estate. It was here that the first saplings of Primitivo flourished, producing a wine more alcoholic and full-bodied than other Apulian wines—a true nectar of the Gods. The name Primitivo was given due to the early ripening of this variety compared to others (Primo means “first” in Italian).
Today, under the stewardship of the Rossi-Chauvenet family, nearly 140 hectares of Primitivo, Negramaro, and Fiano vines are cultivated with a dedication to the highest quality agriculture. In addition to their viticultural endeavors, the family also protects five-hundred-year-old olive trees, cares for woodlands and ancient archaeological sites dating back to around 300 BCE, and preserves farm structures built between the late 1700s and the early 1800s.
Tuma is made from 100% Primitivo sourced from the clay and sand soils of their organically farmed estate. The grapes were harvested in mid-September, ensuring only the healthiest and ripest were selected. A seven-day maceration at controlled temperatures of 22°-28°C was conducted to extract color, aromas, and tannins, followed by alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel vats.
Tuma has a deep ruby red color with a light ruby rim. The nose is fragrant and fruity, with bright red sun-ripened cherries and sweet spices. On the palate, it reveals juicy notes of maraschino and a hint of dusty cocoa. The structural intensity gives this wine a touch of seriousness, but not too much—it's perfectly balanced.
Plan to pair the Tuma with dinner! This wine pairs beautifully with savory dishes like Puglian Bombette (pork rolls stuffed with cheese and spices, then grilled), Pizza con Salsiccia e Friarielli (with sausage and broccoli rabe), or Pecorino cheese.
(Fun fact: Primitivo and Zinfandel are genetically identical. Both grape varieties trace their origins back to the same ancient Croatian grape known as Tribidrag or Crljenak Kaštelanski. Compared to the juicy, ripe, peppery styles of Zinfandel found in California, the Primitivo wines are typically robust, with earthy undertones and a rustic quality that reflects the terroir of southern Italy.)—Riley Shea