Moving on from Grifone, to Elfo Primitivo, how does it compare picking up a non-Trader Joe’s example of Italian Zinfandel?

Sight:   A full purplish red with plenty of weight towards the edges.  Slight transparency.

Smell:  Cranberries, earthy mushrooms and soil, cinnamon and spices, and plum skin all come into play.  Hints of mocha.

Sip:  Bitter, and not necessarily from brightness.  Elements of mocha and cranberry come together with a slightly stemmy quality.   There’s a very rough texture over the top red plum and currants.

Savor:  The finish adds a bit of tannin, and doubles down on the cranberry and earth elements.

Overall, Elfo Primitivo is slightly on the bitter side, but presents some good old world elements.  The bitterness leads into the astringent side, making this not the kind of experience that goes well on it’s own.  That said, if you’re a zinfandel lover, and want to see another style, Elfo Primitivo can show you what the lighter side of Zin is.

Verdict:  Mocha, Cranberry, Stemmy, Light
Rating: 72
Price: $10
Italy

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