Primitivo vs Zinfandel
Sonoma, California
Wine Style: New World / Zinfandel
Average Price: $
Overall Rating: 87 points
Article Written: April 2014
Article Updated: September 2019
By Sean Overpeck (CFE)
**A full article and index glossary of restaurants, wines, recipes and travel for
Wine Dine and Play are in the pages section above, or by following these links:
Château or Vineyard Owner:
Brad Alper
Winemaker and Partner Owner:
William Knuttel
I was first introduced to Ottimino Vineyards through the Napa Wine Company (now Ghost Block), whose focus was to introduce cult, classic, and small vineyards to larger markets. If you are not big into your wine knowledge, then the first thing you think of is what the heck is Primitivo? That was me because my wine knowledge doesn’t go beyond the enjoyment of drinking it. Making it simple it is a clone of the Zinfandel grape. Ottimino Winery focuses on producing Zinfandel wines from three separate vineyards, the Ottimino, Rancho Bello, and the Biglieri Vineyards. In the Ottimino Vineyard, their focus is the Primitivo grape, while the others focus on Zinfandel. As part of the Napa wine Company, I received the 2007 Primitivo as my first introduction to this winery.
Ottimino Cristiani was the eighth and smallest child of his family hence his name, whimsical Italian for "Little Eight." Leaving the village of Altopascio, Italy in 1913 Cristiani sought a new life as a farmer in America. It was this decision that might have well saved his life, as Cristiani later learned that most boys of fighting age from Altopascio died in World War I.
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| Ottimino Winery / Primitivo Tasting |
Ottimino Vineyard was first planted in 2000. Composed of around two thousand vines, Bradford Mountain and Mendocino clones were utilized for budwood; this was then grafted onto St. Georges rootstock to ensure the vines would remain vigorous under dry farming. The vineyard rows run north to south, which provides full exposure to the sunlight during the long summer days. The vines are trained in a vertical cordon, allowing the grape clusters optimal exposure to sunlight and the cooling coastal influences. The vineyard is located on a ridge in what is known as a “banana belt”, which an area that has higher average temperatures than adjacent areas. Because the vineyard is located just 8 miles from the coast, the cooling sea breezes ensure a temperate climate year-round. Goldridge soil, a mixture of sandy loam on top of mineral-rich clay, allows for the vines to be dry-farmed and provides the ideal environment for the vines to thrive.
Ottimino produces dry-farmed Zinfandel from the cooler climates of the Sonoma Coast. Dry farming the grapes forces the roots to grow deep into the soil to find their own source of water and nutrients. This reduces the stress we put on the environment by not wasting water, as well as buffering the vines from seasonal differences.
Genetically, these two grapes are extremely similar, the main difference between Primitivo and Zinfandel are that they actually are both clones of a Croatian grape called Crljenak. Primitivo can trace its lineage from the ancient Phoenicians who settled in the province of Apulia (Puglia), the heel of Italy’s boot. Many legends surround this grape including that the wine served at the Last Supper is said to be Primitivo. Primitivo wines tend to be juicy, well structured, and heavy with pigment and concentration, and high in alcohol. Lighter versions can be floral and fruity, but these are becoming increasingly rare. Aromas and flavors of ripe blackberries, violets, and pepper are common.
Now for the Zinfandel, to which most people have heard of, but many have no idea what it really is. Most assume it is that sweet pink garbage that changed the American wine scene in the 1980s making it very profitable and becoming the new favorite to many people that enjoy sweeter wines. Sorry, Zinfandel is a dry red wine. It was first brought to the US in 1820 as a clipping from the Imperial Austrian Plant Species Collection. Zinfandel quickly made its way across the country gaining notoriety for its vigor and high yield. During the gold rush of the late 1800s, Zinfandel was a favorite among miners and immigrants since it was similar to that of their homeland. Prohibition did nothing to slow its growth, and by the 1950s it occupied some of the most famous areas of northern California. A large surplus in the 1980s led to the production of White Zinfandel, made by either shortening the contact of the wine with the skins during fermentation or by blending it with light, fruity varietals such as Riesling. As a result, the true version of Zinfandel was pushed to the brink of obscurity. (Sourced by Sunny Brown).
Though I have not seen a Primitivo wine from Ottimino since the 2007 production, my only hope is that one is produced again very soon. However regular Zinfandel is being produced from the Ottimino vineyard, just as the other two vineyards mentioned. I would compare the flavors of the Primitivo and other Zinfandels from Ottimino Winery to other higher-end Zinfandel production like Lytton Springs The Ridge Vineyards.
Wine and Grape:
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Nose (Bouquet):
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Palate Experience:
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Ottimino Primitivo 2007
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Winemaker Notes:
Aromas of ripe blackberry, orange spice, bramble, and black cherry are well integrated with French Oak
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Winemaker Notes:
The wine's entry is velvety, and the flavors follow on with blackberry jam, ripe cranberry, and cocoa, all ringing out in a mouth coasting and lengthy finish.
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Rancho Bello 2009
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Winemaker Notes:
Robust cherry and pomegranate aromas with hints of white pepper and vanilla spice
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Winemaker Notes:
The palate entry has gobs of fruit with cheery and ripe strawberries. Smooth round tannins, great depth, and concentration of flavor, makes an excellent and well-balanced Zinfandel.
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Biglieri
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Winemaker Notes:
Black plum, bramble, and ripe raspberry aromas dominate with hints of black pepper, cherries, and licorice
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Winemaker Notes:
Boysenberry and vanilla making a broad mid pallet leading to a tremendous body with nice round tannins and pairing wonderfully with salmon dishes.
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Final notes, review basics, and observations:
*** NOTE TO THE READER ***
Most reviews are subjective, depending on the writer; but they should also be responsible, and respectfully written, upholding the truth, and accurately conveying the experience to the best of the writer's knowledge, even if it includes metaphors the restaurant may not like to read about.
To see more details of this rating list, read this article:
I refer to myself as an oenophile though, oenophilia is defined as “a disciplined devotion to wine, accompanying strict traditions of consumption and appreciation.” In a general sense, oenophilia also refers to the enjoyment of wine, often by a layman — which I am, and not qualified as a professional. I just enjoy drinking it, so my rating is based on enjoyment and the overall experience, not the science of an expert, and thus subjective, not objective. See the score factors outlined in the ‘about page’ on how I arrived at the rating percentage below:
Overall Star Rating For Ottimino Winery:
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87/100:
An Outstanding Tasting Experience
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91/100 on the 2009 Ottimino Vineyard Zinfandel
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92/100 on the 2007 Ottimino Estate Vineyard Zinfandel
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Wines Produced by Ottimino Winery:
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Red: Zinfandel and Primitivo
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Barrel Types and Aging:
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50% New American oak, for 20 months
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Wine regulatory’s for the tastings in this article:
“In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is the strength, in the water there are bacteria.” - David Auerbach
United States:
California:
Sub-Sonoma AVA’s:
RRVW: Russian River AVA
Other California wines, wineries (Château’s), or food articles on Wine Dine and Play:
Napa - A Sip and Taste in Wine County A 3-day tour of wineries and fine dining restaurants in Napa County, California
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Emmolo Wine Tasting A merlot comparable to no other in Rutherford, California
Flying Horse Wine Tasting A spirited winery with Arabian horses in Oakville, California
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Row 11 Santa Maria Pinot An Old World style Pinot from Santa Maria, California
Row 11 Tasting Pinot grapes using Dijon clones in Santa Maria, California
Silver Oak Cellars Near the Silverado Trail, known for high-end Cabernet in Oakville, California
Twomey Wine Tasting Napa and Sonoma wines owned by Silver Oak, Calistoga, Napa California
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5A5 Steak Lounge Modern Japanese steakhouse with chic design in San Francisco, California
Alioto’s Restaurant Historic restaurant serving Sicilian-infused seafood in San Francisco, California
Casita Taqueria a fast-casual taqueria serving homemade artisan Mexican food specializing especially in tacos and burritos in St. Petersburg, Florida
Casita Taqueria a fast-casual taqueria serving homemade artisan Mexican food specializing especially in tacos and burritos in St. Petersburg, Florida
Ciccio Cali inspired cuisine from California using antibiotic-free meats, organic and Non-GMO vegetables in St. Petersburg, Florida
Cowgirl Creamery Artisan Cheese Shop “aka” Cowgirl Cantina in Point Reyes Station, California
FarmTable Cucina organic, sustainable, and local with a focus on Italian and New American themes in St. Petersburg, Florida
FarmTable Kitchen Casual Cal-Italian cuisine and chef tables in St. Petersburg, Florida
Fleur de Lys Lavish French-Californian by Hubert Keller in San Francisco, California
Gaia Restaurant Organic and sustainable concept in American Canyon, California (Renamed Table 29 Bistro and Bar)
Greystone CIA Restaurant CIA School restaurant formally called Wine Spectator now GateHouse in Calistoga, California
The French Laundry French-American fine dining restaurant in Yountville, California
Wipeout Bar and Grill Surf shack theme with California and Mexican cuisine in San Francisco, California
Wolfgang Puck Celebrity Chef’s California cuisine and fine dining chain; reviewed in Orlando, Florida
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary”
A Few New World Favorites:
New World wines are those wines produced outside the traditional wine-growing areas of Europe and the Middle East, in particular from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, India, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa, United States (California, Florida, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington State,Virginia),Thailand, and Uruguay.
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Yearly tasting event at Hyde Park
Sydney, Australia
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Wine and food tour
Cape Town, South Africa
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A tour of food and wine from a 2015 tour in Oregon wine country
Dundee, Willamette, Oregon
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Some Old World Favorites:
Old World wine refers primarily to wine made in Europe but can also include other regions of the Mediterranean basin with long histories of winemaking such as North Africa and the Near East. These countries include Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, England, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Macedonia, Moldova, Morocco Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Sicily, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and Turkey.
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Wine tours and restaurants
Bordeaux, France
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A tasting of the Vougeot AOC, caves, and the Hospices de Beaune
Burgundy, France
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Sancerre wines
Loire Valley, France
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See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary by country”
Bottle Prices
(excluding taxes)
$£€¥ - Under 50.00 (inexpensive)
$£€¥ x 2 - 51.00- 99.00 (moderate)
$£€¥ x 3 - Over 100.00 (pricey)
$£€¥ x 4 - Over 200.00 (expensive)
$£€¥ x 5 - Over 400.00 (very expensive)
**Currencies reflect the world’s major wine countries and connoisseur’s**
Currency rates in the top wine-producing & wine purchasing countries:
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Price Chart :
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Ottimino Primitivo (750 ml)
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United States Dollar (USD)
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$$
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Australian Dollar (AUS)
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$$
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Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP)
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££
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Canadian Dollar (CAN)
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$$
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Chinese Yuan (CNY)
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¥¥¥¥
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European Union (EUR)
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€€
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New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
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$$
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South African Rand (ZAR)
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RRRRR
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Rancho Bello (750 ml)
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United States Dollar (USD)
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$$
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Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP)
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££
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European Union (EUR)
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€€
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Biglieri (750 ml)
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United States Dollar (USD)
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$$
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Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP)
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££
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European Union (EUR)
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€€
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Ottimino Winery:
Tasting at the Square Peg winery
Post Office Box 1217
Occidental, CA
95465
Tasting Room Information:
Website:
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Tasting room:
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+01 707-235-6757
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Email:
Website contact:
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Tasting Room Hours:
Pacific Standard Time (GMT, Zulu, or UTC-8:00)
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Monday - Sunday:
11:00 am - 5:00 pm
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Social Media
And
Accolades for
Ottimino Winery:
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****
The worlds best restaurants is a subjective list of who is writing it and changes on a regular basis. The Wine Dine and Play best experiences are based on my highest rated stared restaurants, meaning that the visit was an outstanding or extraordinary experience. From cafés, chains, mom + pops, hole in the walls, to fine dining including a few Michelin spots. Visit the Top 100 page to see the entire list.
A few to tease you with…
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New American, Southern Twist
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
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Safari + Upscale African Cuisine
Sabi Sabi, South Africa
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Seasonal American cuisine
Asheville, North Carolina, USA
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“In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is the strength, in the water there are bacteria.”
- David Auerbach
Who is John Galt?
TTFN
