GIANFRANCO FINO...WINE ADVOCATE
Inviato: 04 mag 2015 14:43
Sono appena uscite, le recensione di Monica Larner sui vini di GIANFRANCO FINO;
GIANFRANCO FINO Es Primitivo di Manduria 2013 – 95 points
“I was initially puzzled by the 2012 version of this wine, but was absolutely smitten by the 2013 Primitivo di Manduria Es. This is a bruiser with an inky black consistency and impenetrable appearance with dark plum, raisin, blackberry, licorice, rum cake, cherry liqueur, grilled herb and teriyaki sauce. This wine is definitely the Romano Dal Forno Amarone of Southern Italy. It offers similar intensity and opulence and a stylistic signature that is both distinctive and impossible to imitate. Sweet tannins and bold intensity wrap over the palate in thick waves. The close is lavish, opulent and overstated. This is a wine of grand promises that will appeal to those who are not faint of heart. Gianfranco Fino delivers the power and the emotion of Puglia, no holds barred.”
GIANFRANCO FINO Es Piu' Sole 2012 – 94 points
“I thought it was impossible to beat the opulence of the dry Es, but that was before I tasted Gianfranco Fino's Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale Es Più Sole (375ml) dessert wine. This is a delicious wine that is almost impossible to pair with food. You might be able to pair it with a Cuban cigar by the fireplace at the very most. It peels back in thick layers with jammy fruit, plum, blackberry preserves, tobacco and Spanish cedar. Soft tannins segue to a mouthfeel that is rich with chocolate, spice and barbecue tones. This is a truly beautiful and very distinctive sweet version of Puglia's Primitivo grape.”
GIANFRANCO FINO Es Primitivo di Manduria 2012 – 93 points
“The 2012 Primitivo di Manduria Es is a landmark wine for Puglia. It is also a very controversial one that had me scratching my head for month. Before I go on, let me just underline the massive appeal and seductiveness of this wine. Let me also say that is it full of flaws. Fino offers one of those rare occasions when something that is not perfect sings to the senses. It is an asymmetric wine, and that's what makes it special. The massive nose is redolent of dark blackberry and red apple, (there are some aldehydic tones here as well) with chewy sweetness and thick texture in the mouth. It is an Amarone style wine from one of the warmest winemaking regions in Southern Italy. I was so charmed by this wine that I had it analyzed in a laboratory and discovered that all its levels (alcohol, extract and more) are off the charts. Despite that power, the wine shows impressive integration. I debated for a long time, and ultimately decided to succumb to what is a highly individualistic expression from Puglia. Bravo!”
GIANFRANCO FINO Jo Negroamaro 2013 – 94 points
“The 2013 Negroamaro Jo is a massive statement wine that deals an unforgettable * to all the senses, eyes, nose and mouth. This Negroamaro is absolutely Baroque in personality with so many embellishments and exaggerations, it's almost difficult to know where to focus your attention. It presents an inky, impenetrable appearance followed by amazing aromatic intensity that is as wide reaching as it is penetrating. Jammy black fruit, rum cake, spice and blackberry pie are protagonists. There are oxidized or aldehydic tones of apple skin as well that seems to be a defining characteristic of Gianfranco Fino's wines. Pretty spice notes of cinnamon, espresso bean and toasted almond fill in the back. The wine is slightly sweet, but it also offers so much in terms of complexity, tannins and richness that the residual sugar feels very well integrated. It's hard to image what foods you could pair this wine with other than aged cheeses such as Pecorino or Stilton.”
“It took me a very long time to wrap my head around Gianfranco Fino's Primitivo di Manduria Es. Ultimately, I surrendered to its monumental hugeness and its exaggerated extremities. This is a wine that goes against all the rules we learn when reviewing wines. The extraction is huge, the bouquet is all over the place and the alcohol sears deep into your palate. But for some mysterious reason, it all makes perfect sense. Of all the wines produced in Puglia today, none is more symbolic of the region than Es. Thanks to his achievements, Gianfranco Fino is the man of the moment.”
GIANFRANCO FINO Es Primitivo di Manduria 2013 – 95 points
“I was initially puzzled by the 2012 version of this wine, but was absolutely smitten by the 2013 Primitivo di Manduria Es. This is a bruiser with an inky black consistency and impenetrable appearance with dark plum, raisin, blackberry, licorice, rum cake, cherry liqueur, grilled herb and teriyaki sauce. This wine is definitely the Romano Dal Forno Amarone of Southern Italy. It offers similar intensity and opulence and a stylistic signature that is both distinctive and impossible to imitate. Sweet tannins and bold intensity wrap over the palate in thick waves. The close is lavish, opulent and overstated. This is a wine of grand promises that will appeal to those who are not faint of heart. Gianfranco Fino delivers the power and the emotion of Puglia, no holds barred.”
GIANFRANCO FINO Es Piu' Sole 2012 – 94 points
“I thought it was impossible to beat the opulence of the dry Es, but that was before I tasted Gianfranco Fino's Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale Es Più Sole (375ml) dessert wine. This is a delicious wine that is almost impossible to pair with food. You might be able to pair it with a Cuban cigar by the fireplace at the very most. It peels back in thick layers with jammy fruit, plum, blackberry preserves, tobacco and Spanish cedar. Soft tannins segue to a mouthfeel that is rich with chocolate, spice and barbecue tones. This is a truly beautiful and very distinctive sweet version of Puglia's Primitivo grape.”
GIANFRANCO FINO Es Primitivo di Manduria 2012 – 93 points
“The 2012 Primitivo di Manduria Es is a landmark wine for Puglia. It is also a very controversial one that had me scratching my head for month. Before I go on, let me just underline the massive appeal and seductiveness of this wine. Let me also say that is it full of flaws. Fino offers one of those rare occasions when something that is not perfect sings to the senses. It is an asymmetric wine, and that's what makes it special. The massive nose is redolent of dark blackberry and red apple, (there are some aldehydic tones here as well) with chewy sweetness and thick texture in the mouth. It is an Amarone style wine from one of the warmest winemaking regions in Southern Italy. I was so charmed by this wine that I had it analyzed in a laboratory and discovered that all its levels (alcohol, extract and more) are off the charts. Despite that power, the wine shows impressive integration. I debated for a long time, and ultimately decided to succumb to what is a highly individualistic expression from Puglia. Bravo!”
GIANFRANCO FINO Jo Negroamaro 2013 – 94 points
“The 2013 Negroamaro Jo is a massive statement wine that deals an unforgettable * to all the senses, eyes, nose and mouth. This Negroamaro is absolutely Baroque in personality with so many embellishments and exaggerations, it's almost difficult to know where to focus your attention. It presents an inky, impenetrable appearance followed by amazing aromatic intensity that is as wide reaching as it is penetrating. Jammy black fruit, rum cake, spice and blackberry pie are protagonists. There are oxidized or aldehydic tones of apple skin as well that seems to be a defining characteristic of Gianfranco Fino's wines. Pretty spice notes of cinnamon, espresso bean and toasted almond fill in the back. The wine is slightly sweet, but it also offers so much in terms of complexity, tannins and richness that the residual sugar feels very well integrated. It's hard to image what foods you could pair this wine with other than aged cheeses such as Pecorino or Stilton.”
“It took me a very long time to wrap my head around Gianfranco Fino's Primitivo di Manduria Es. Ultimately, I surrendered to its monumental hugeness and its exaggerated extremities. This is a wine that goes against all the rules we learn when reviewing wines. The extraction is huge, the bouquet is all over the place and the alcohol sears deep into your palate. But for some mysterious reason, it all makes perfect sense. Of all the wines produced in Puglia today, none is more symbolic of the region than Es. Thanks to his achievements, Gianfranco Fino is the man of the moment.”