Had a group of ten over for a Italian Primitivo versus California Zinfandel tasting party. Everyone brought heavy hors d'oeuvres to match. Very yummy food, but this is about the wine:

The Primitivos:
2003 Feudi di San Gregorio Primitivo Di Manduria Di Ognissole ($12.99)
2001 Mille Una Primitivo del Salento Majara ($16.99)
2001 Feudi Di San Marzano Primitivo di Manduria Sessantanni ($22.99)

The Zinfandels:
2002 Ridge Vineyards Three Valleys Red (only 76% Zin, but oh well) ($13.98)
2002 Seghesio Sonoma County Zinfandel ($14.99)
2003 Rosenblum Richard Sauret Vineyard Zinfandel ($15.78)

Tasting was non-blind. No formal Tasting Notes (sorry), but my notes nonetheless:

The Primitivos were underdogs, going against two of my favorite Zins (Seghesio and Sauret), but they came out of the gates very strong. The Ognissole impressed everyone, even garnering two first place votes. With the strong tasting foods people brought, a lot of people thought the rustic style of Italian Primitivo was an excellent match. I loved it, and at that price, I'm going to try to buy more right after I post this.

The first Zin, the Three Valleys blend, seemed to leave a weaker impression. Every time someone went back to it, they were surprised at how much fruit flavor they got up front, so I think the finish was disappointing. It was a nice drinkable wine, but nothing special.

The second Primitivo (the Majara) was tough to judge. It was far more subtle than the other wines. In fact, it couldn't stand up to the food at all. But I tried it repeatedly while I wasn't eating and it was interesting and pleasurable. Seemed to have complexity - I'd like to try it again. It just turned out to be the weak sister of the tasting.

The Seghesio is of course super delicious. Very fine. Good with the food or without. I think one first place vote. Three more bottles in my cellar.

The final Primitivo - The San Marzano Sessantanni - had more fruit up front than the Ognissole, and my impression was that it was the stronger wine of the two, but it was a close call. Both were fantastic, with good rustic flavors, very nice finishes.

The final Zinfandel (Rosenblum) took the most first place votes. This wine is one delicious juice. I love it alone... and with the food, it was just as good. Wish I could find more of this for my cellar.

In conclusion, it was really just about a draw. The Seghesio and Richard Sauret are so enjoyable... you just can't knock them. But the Ognissole and the Sessantanni Primitivos were extremely impressive (91-92pts each).

Don't know from my sample size really, but the Mandurian Primitivo style seemed to really hold up its reputation as Italy's best Primitivo region... The Salento version was very different, with lots of room for improvement.

All in all, lots of fun. Great food - I should post on what we served, but I don't think I'd remember how to describe some of the fancier dishes. I'm going to go buy six bottles of that Ognissole now if I can still get it.

thanks for the notes!

I don't want to get into the primitivo vs zin debate again, but could you tell us if these two "different varieties" were similar in flavour profile, tannin etc...or not.

cheers,
pete

I wish I had taken more detailed notes.

After the tasting, my brother-in-law and I blind tasted several wines to see how well we'd identify them.

We immediately and easily picked whether it was a Zin or Primitivo... And I don't know how to describe how they were different b/c I just suck at that. But where the Zins seemed fruity with tannins integrated on the finish, the Primitivos seemed darker and rustic... the tannins seemed more to the middle/front or the fruit more in balance with the tannin. I'd like to answer your question with the wines in front of me.

But they were such different styles, they may as well have been different varietals. Genetically they may be the same, but I would never group them together on taste.

Sorry I don't have a better answer... Perhaps when my Ognissoles arrive I'll try to post a decent tasting note.