WINE ADVOCATE – Sicily Report

Sweet cherries, flowers, spices and a hint of mint on the nose. Firm yet harmonious tannin in the lively, very intense flavour, which never feels heavy but elegant until the final. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2020 Etna Rosso Erse keeps me returning to the glass to take in its vibrant and spicy bouquet, where sour cherries complement dried roses, cloves and a hint of fresh mint. This wine is round and juicy, yet pure, with mineral red berries that saturate, while the lively acidity maintains a fantastic freshness. A subtle coating of fine tannins and a salty note define the final, while the 2020 tapers off smoothly and grippily under a hint of red flowers. This is an excellent entry-level Etna Rosso." Vinous

"The entry-level Tenuta di Fessina 2020 Etna Rosso Erse is elegant and lean with a fun set of aromas that recall white pepper, wild berry, blue flower and candied orange peel. I like this fresh, snappy style and you get great value." Wine Advocate

Deep ruby red with garnet-coloured reflections. Dense and intense aroma of red fruits with notes of leather, earth, spices and minerals, with a hint of vanilla and sandalwood. Full-bodied on the palate, well-defined tannins supported by a dense structure, leading to a long-lasting and very smooth final. A Bordeaux blend in a class of its own! SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2018 Burdese is a straightforward expression of Cabernet Sauvignon (70%) and Cabernet Franc (30%) that doesn't impose. The wine is soft on the palate with medium-bodied layers of ripe cherry, plum, soft earth and leather. The tannins are immediate and soft." Wine Advocate

"This Bordeaux blend shows berries, fresh herbs such as parsley and a hint of vanilla. It has a medium to full body with medium round tannins and a juicy finish. Very enjoyable now, but it will be much better in two or three years." James Suckling

"Dusty dried flowers, crushed rock, graphite and red plums form a dark, seductive bouquet when the 2018 Burdese reveals itself in the glass. The palate is lapped by soft textures contrasted by a core of tart wild berries. Mineral tones slowly saturate. A web of fine tannins lends it youthful composure, nicely balanced by a hint of sour citrus, while the 2018 tapers off for a long time and yet displays wonderful balance." Vinous

"The nose is dark and rich, yet also layered and subtle, with both heavy aromas of petrol and tar and juicier notes of blackberries, figs and dark chocolate. The figs and chocolate carry the palate, though wild herbs and bitter orange give buoyancy. Tannins are unyielding, while acid is more discreet but still perceptible." Wine Enthusiast

Giuseppe Russo produces just 5,000 bottles of this extremely elegant rosato every year. Fine, complex aromas of red fruit and mineral stone on the youthfully fresh nose. The energetic and very precise impressions on the palate correspond beautifully with the flavour. Delicate melting, fine minerality, harmonious and long. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sweet roses, stone dust and orange sherbet make the 2022 Etna Rosato a real delight on the nose. Soothingly round and with a pleasant inner sweetness, it flows across the palate with crisp, mineral-tinged orchard fruits punctuated by a hint of sour citrus. The 2022 finishes intensely mineral and leaves a pleasant mouthfeel as the notes of sour melon gradually fade away." Vinous

"Hints of white peach and green and red fruit aromas accompany some spice and minerals in the mouth, with a touch of creaminess in the background. Fresh, succulent strawberry and raspberry flavours linger on a saline finish." Decanter

"The Etna Rosato 2022 has a floral bouquet with wild flowers, peach blossom and a hint of zagara, the Sicilian lemon blossom. It offers subtle support in the background thanks to a particularly fine and crisp mouthfeel." Wine Advocate

"This wine shows subtle notes of pink cherry, peach skin, dried orange peel and dried flowers. Medium-bodied, delicate and supple, with freshness and crisp acidity. Delicious with a structured, polished finish." James Suckling

Fascinating, brightly coloured cuvée that smells of fresh fruit and flowers. Flavours of apple, pear and peach flatter the palate, well balanced and well-balanced. The fine mineral saline note on the finish is also delicious. SUPERIORE.DE

"A fresh white, with lovely verve and fine balance imparting an open-knit accessibility, carrying a pleasing range of poached pear and apricot fruit, fresh herb and milled white pepper accents. Reveals tangy notes of tangerine and pink grapefruit zest on the salty finish." James Suckling

"Lively citrus notes, followed by subtle flavours of mussels and wet stones. Medium body. Flinty finish at the end. Clean and crisp." James Suckling

"The Graci 2022 Etna Bianco has a pronounced mineral note that gives it additional sharpness and brightness. Over the years, the proportion of Carricante in the blend has increased. The salty-mineral profile of this grape variety takes centre stage. The wine has a very light golden colour and is already very drinkable." Wine Advocate

"Blend of Carricante and Catarratto. Notes of chinotto, yellow plums and lemony sage on the nose, almondy, salty and acidic on the finish, with a fruity, lemony and dried fruit aftertaste. Very long lasting." Luca Gardini

Deep, bright ruby red in colour. This 100% Nero d'Avola is a captivating wine with its full-bodied, fruity and spicy aroma of blackcurrants, cherries, undergrowth, liquorice and dark chocolate. The soft but firm, multi-layered and warm flavour of ripe berries, the fine spice and the fine tannins are very appealing. SUPERIORE.DE

"It is a well-made Nero d'Avola with a purity and freshness in its ripe character of red and black berries and cherries. Intense and savoury, with tangy acidity, it shows juicy cherries and black fruits along with notes of chocolate and balsamic and mouth-coating tannins. Full and rich in fruit, but quite vertical in style, it is a lively and storable example of what can be achieved with this typical Sicilian grape." Decanter

"The 2020 Santa Cecilia, a single varietal Nero d'Avola, rises from the glass with a dark and brooding blend of crushed plums, cloves, stone dust and a hint of camphor. It's round and supple with juicy acidity that retains a lovely energy, and bright red and blue fruits spill across the palate. The 2020 finishes with a bitter touch of savoury spice and a hint of sour citrus, while a layer of fine tannins lingers. The 2020 is a very beautiful and balanced wine for medium-term cellaring." Vinous

"Bright and fragrant, with a lush creaminess that carries flavours of strawberry jam, dried cherries, tar, tea roses and singed orange peel. Well-spiced and minerally, with slightly chalky tannins that provide fine definition." Wine Spectator

"The Santa Cecilia 2020 is one of Sicily's iconic wines, a Nero d'Avola clothed in elegance and precision. The wine is softly structured and multi-layered with dark fruits, black cherries, spices and sweet tobacco. The Santa Cecilia takes a classic approach with a balance between generous fruit and carefully managed oak." Wine Advocate

"Aromas of blackberries, flowers and dark earth with a hint of fresh black mushrooms. Medium to full body with round and creamy tannins and a delicious undertone. Just a hint of vanilla bean underneath the fruit." James Suckling

"The nose starts bubbly and sweet, with aromas of black plums, cherry and vanilla, then turns savory but still crackly, with notes of pencil shavings, pepper, graphite and leather. The palate doubles back toward juicy fruit with figs and more plums, then shifts again toward that sanguine earthiness, but textured tannins and almost silky acid unify the whole." Wine Enthusiast

One of the most exciting Etna Rosso with a balsamic, spicy bouquet and a balanced, yet very characterful, juicy, long flavour. Fine fruit, good acidity, firm tannin, beautiful length. Perfectly reflects the terroir. SUPERIORE.DE

"Multi-faceted bouquet with aromas of stone fruit, flowers and subtle tobacco notes; precise on the palate, the tannins are fine-grained and perfectly integrated, develops full of verve towards a long final." Vinum

"It has a tantalising aroma of red and black cherries, almonds, spices and balsamic. In the mouth it is bright and intense, with a good body and balanced savoury red fruits. The finish is fleshy and juicy, stony and slightly bitter (in a positive way)." Decanter

"The 2021 Etna Rosso ‘A Rina opens slowly in the glass with a savory herbal tinge that gives way to rose petals, ash and wild strawberries. This is juicy and round, with abundant energy and ripe red and blue fruits swirling throughout. Brilliant acidity adds further lift as zesty wild berries linger over a subtle bed of fine tannins, framing the experience without getting in the way. It’s a total pleasure to taste and would even stand up to a slight chill on a warm day." Vinous

"This is the entry-level red wine from Girolamo Russo. The Etna Rosso 'a Rina 2021 is made from Nerello Mascalese and about 10% Nerello Cappuccio from different vineyards and offers excellent value with wild berries, blue flowers and crushed stone with an elegant mouthfeel. The emphasis is on freshness and balance." Wine Advocate

"Plenty of citrus, orange peel, honey and beeswax with some pumice and volcanic soil. Medium-bodied, with firm and integrated tannins that are energetic and integrated. Very nice now, but even better in three or four years." James Suckling

Rosso delle Fontane from the single vineyard of the same name beguiles with its light ruby red colour and subtle scent of dark cherries, followed on the palate by redcurrant, hints of tar, suede and a well-measured amount of Amarena cherry. Salty-mineralic, never-ending finish. Highly elegant in its entirety and packaged with COS's own noble restraint. Burgundian greatness and a beacon of the Vittoria DOC appellation! SUPERIORE.DE

"Wild herbs and dried strawberries come together with hints of shaved cedar as the 2018 Vittoria Rosso Fontane opens in the glass. Soft and supple, this begins with a burst of zesty acidity and saline minerals that complicate its tart wild berry fruits. It finishes long, staining and with a bitter tinge, leaving a subtle layer of fine tannin to linger." Vinous

"Once part of the Cerasuolo di Vittoria appellation, the 2018 Vittoria Delle Fontane is now a representative of the relatively new Vittoria appellation. This organic blend of 60% Nero d'Avola and 40% Frappato shows lovely tertiary definition with spice and toasted anise framing a core of dried cherry and plum. Drinking this wine now, you will notice the beautiful transition from primary fruit to something more complex and ethereal. There is, however, some acidity that reflects the cooler and wetter conditions of the vintage." Wine Advocate

This wine - the name "Effe Emme" stands for the initials of Filippo Mazzei - represents a new chapter for Mazzei's Zisola winery and for all of Sicily. Very few producers on the island make a pure Petit Verdot. The Alberello vines are planted on highly calcareous soils. Effe Emme shows a dark fruit intensity with subtle background notes of chalk and crushed minerals. Powerful and full-bodied on the palate, juicy and firmly structured. Only 4,000 bottles are bottled. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark ruby red. Spicy, dark berry nose with hints of chestnut honey, black tea and some leather. On the palate with elegant, resinous undertones, very polished with lots of juice and slightly salty tannin, spans a great arc, grippy earthy final." Falstaff

"Made with Petit Verdot, the 2019 Sicilia Effe Emme is a very different wine compared to the previous vintage that I tasted at the same time. This expression from 2019 is much richer, with a velvety texture, and it is void of that bitterness we saw in the 2018. Blackcurrant and dried blackberry cede to smoke, tar and exotic spice." Wine Advocate

"Lots of clove and green peppercorn character with blackberries and blackcurrants on the nose and palate. Full-bodied and complex with lots of flavour on the palate and a long, flavourful finish. Shows how well Petit Verdot thrives in Noto." James Suckling

100% Nero d'Avola yields a dense ruby-violet colour and a fresh bouquet with rich fruity notes of dark cherries, honey and some grenadine. Doppiozeta unfolds explosively and finesse-rich on the palate, with a velvety tannin and very appealing length. SUPERIORE.DE

"With fruit from old bush-trained vines, the 2018 Sicilia Noto Rosso Doppiozeta is sweet and slightly jammy with blackberry preserves and black cherry confit. The wine spreads heavily over the palate with thick fruit weight and substantial texture. " Wine Advocate

"This harmonious red is bright and stylish, with a dark and juicy blend of ripe blackberries and fragrant accents of ground pepper, dried sage, ground coffee and iron. Silky tannins show through on the mineral finish." Wine Spectator

"The 2018 Rosso Doppiozeta is dark and seductive. It opens with balsamic herbs, tobacco and a hint of mocha before moving into the depths of blackcurrant and plum skin. It glides across the palate with ease, guided by bright acidity as it throws around citrus and savoury spices. Fine tannins linger along with a bitter hint of blood orange and a touch of sage. The 2018 has a finesse that already makes it extremely attractive. However, I don't think that's why it will be so long-lived." Vinous

"A juicy, complex red wine with plums, cherries and hints of slate and pumice. Also some rosemary and thyme. Full body, soft and creamy tannins and a subtle, beautiful finish." James Suckling

Muscular Nero d'Avola, deep dark red in colour, rich in extract and powerful with aromas of dried fruit, raspberries, beetroot and blackcurrants. A juicy Sicilian from natural cultivation that enchants us with its great personality and beguiling finesse. SUPERIORE.DE

"The scent of wild hedgerow berries leads to a softly structured, flavoursome palate that mirrors the nose and shows good intensity of red and black berries. Polished and well balanced, it is an elegant interpretation of Nero d'Avola." Decanter

"The organic Nero d'Avola Siccagno 2020 offers a lovely blend of cherry, dark fruit and a hint of clove. The wine shows notes of cola, black olives and baked plums in the background. There is plenty of fruit in this wine, leading to a bold, vibrant style. It is fluid in personality, but also lean in texture." Wine Advocate

"A very attractive Nero d'Avola with crushed black berries and bright citrus acidity with hints of fruit, black tea and dark mushrooms. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and tangy acidity on the finish. Drink or store." James Suckling

"The 2020 Nero d'Avola Siccagno captivates with an earth-inspired bouquet that blends crushed ashen stones with sage and smoke before giving way to crushed wild blueberries. It’s silky and refined, with a sleek wave of ripe red and blue fruits carried across a core of zesty acidity. A saline tinge adds a savory edge toward the close. The 2020 finishes lightly structured, long and with immaculate balance, leaving a coating of primary concentration, hints of citrus and inner florals. While already a total pleasure aromatically and on the palate, I expect the 2020 Siccagno will blossom beautifully over the next five to ten years in a cold cellar. This is stunning." Vinous

Nerobufaleffj is a very unusual wine for Sicily. It offers an aromatic intensity not found anywhere else in southern Italy. The bouquet is explosive with powerful cherries, dried blackberries, tobacco and spices. Subtle hints of cinnamon and crushed clove. An exotic red of high concentration and power with a wonderfully complex, long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"A certified organic Nero d'Avola, the Gulfi 2018 NeroBufaleffj reveals dark fruit, dried plum and fig. The wine offers rich concentration and soft tannins with plenty of dark, sweet fruit on the close. It concludes with a touch of sweetness and ripe flavors. The fruit is sourced from a three-hectare site at 50 meters above sea level with an incredible mix of white limestone soils, black clay and red sand." Wine Advocate

"The aromas of the 2018 NeroBufaleffj are unobtrusive and require coaxing to release a pretty blend of blackcurrants with violets and a hint of sweet smoke. On the palate, the NeroBufaleffj is round and smooth, with mineral red fruits and a touch of sour citrus adding to the contrast. A bitter aftertaste lingers through to the final as the 2018 finishes with crisp tannins and a hint of black liquorice. The meatiness and minerality of the Bufaleffj comes through here, but in a more approachable package." Vinous

"It has an enticing nose of purple cherries, mulberries, sage, olives, nutmeg, orange peel and dried flowers. Medium to full body with a fantastic balance of ripe fruit, spice and zesty freshness. Very drinkable." James Suckling

Precise aromas of ripe red cherries, flint, orange peel, lavender and violets. Silky and juicy on the palate, with a refined but very concentrated extract that almost crushes the taste buds, yet remains lively and not at all heavy, giving beautiful definition and lift to the red cherry, raspberry, floral and mineral flavours. The finish is very deep and long, with very soft tannins, a beguiling perfume and extreme finesse; very Barolo-like. A beautiful, complex wine that shows the elegant side of Nero d'Avola that few producers are ever able to present. SUPERIORE.DE

"The organic Gulfi 2017 NeroSanloré is packed dense at its core and offers a very true portrait of the Sicilian grape from a hot vintage. There is a lot of extra ripeness that is delivered amply across the wine's dark fruit flavors and its soft textural richness. Nero d'Avola is planted across three hectares in reddish sandy soils. Like other wines from this vintage, it delivers a front-loaded effect. In other words, you get a great deal of ripeness and aromatic intensity on first inspection, but the wine is ultimately milder and shorter in terms of finish. However you look at it, this is a versatile, fruit-forward Sicilian red." Wine Advocate

"Old tile and ripe berry with some flowers and nuts. Just a hint of dried fruit. Full-bodied with round, succulent tannins and a juicy and tangy finish." James Suckling

"The 2017 NeroSanlorè is the dusty, spicy and elegant beauty of the Gulfi Nero d’Avola range. The bouquet presents a beguiling mix of crushed stone, roses, incense and tart cherries. It’s soft and almost weightless in feel, hovering across the palate with a refined display of red berries and inner florals. A subtle coating of tannin lingers, but does not get in the way as this finishes with sweet minerals and hints of tangerine. Give the Sanlorè a year or two to come further into focus and flesh out a bit more. From the Gulfi crus, this is the vineyard closest to the sea, less than 700 meters away, and at only 10–15 meters above sea level, with vines growing in sandy soils. It is simply stunning." Vinous

Santo Spirito is a wonderfully complex wine that always remains in balance. It combines firmness, strength, structure and density with the flavours of dark cherries, pomegranate, blood oranges and spicy herbal notes and concludes with a furiously long final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Light, bright ruby red colour. The nose has sweet, fresh and lively notes of fresh cherries, plums and wild strawberries, raspberries and redcurrants, followed by a hint of sweet spices and powder. The sip is dry, fresh and mineral. It leaves a clear and pleasant salty note on the palate." Falstaff

"Sweet autumnal spice, cedar shavings, cherry sauce and mint nuances make the 2020 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito impossible to ignore. This is a showboat, silky and refined, with pure red berry fruits and saline mineral tones that add a lovely traction toward the close. Zesty acidity provides a nice inner freshness as the 2020 tapers off spicy and extends with a tinge of fine tannins that promise many years of positive development." Vinous

"On the nose, it smells of rosehips, redcurrants, pomegranates, violets, lemon peel, cloves and cinnamon sticks. Seductive, spicy character. Almost peppery, with a medium body and firm, grainy tannins. Lots of tension." James Suckling

"Of the wines in this important portfolio from Etna, this is often the softest and most sensual. The Tenuta delle Terre Nere 2020 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito delivers a very fine and nuanced fruit profile with hints of wild berries and roses. The mouthfeel is lean and delicate, and the tannins are supple." Wine Advocate

This elegant and very harmonious red comes 100% from the small vineyard (Contrada) Cavaliere on the south-west slope of Mount Etna. The vineyards in the municipality of Santa Maria di Licodìa develop at a considerable altitude (approx. 900 metres above sea level) with favourable conditions for all indigenous varieties, both red and white grapes, which are cultivated here with Guyot pruning. Here, both the Nerello and the Carricante grape varieties produce wines with a well-defined structure and typical varietal flavours.

Brilliant ruby red colour. Ethereal bouquet full of spice and hints of red fruit. Medium-bodied on the palate, multi-layered and with a fine acid wire tannins and acid wire that complete its elegance and harmony. SUPERIORE.DE

"Firm, somewhat Mediterranean-herbal aroma of black and red berries with cherry nuances, hints of leather, dried mushrooms and peppery, ethereal spice. Ripe, taut, very juicy, rather dark fruit with cocoa and coffee notes, crumbly-sandy, ripe tannin, some bite, persistent and dense on the palate, again dark ethereal spice, has power and some warmth, but also a certain elegance, good depth, salty mineral tones, very good, firm, juicy and spicy finish." Wein-Plus

"Initially sober and earthy, with dark fruits and fine tannins, it opens up with a little air to reveal intense, powerful black cherries, herbs, balsam and spices, balanced by good acidity. This wine definitely needs time to reveal its secrets." Decanter

"A well-spiced red, with minerally hints of iron and tar underscoring macerated cherry and strawberry fruit. Bright and tightly meshed, with a dense core of tannins emerging to firm the fragrant, herb-laced finish." Wine Spectator

"Fresh flowers with oranges, black cherries and blackberries. Very clear flavours. Subtle and complex. Full-bodied but not heavy with firm and structured tannins. Powerful and muscular, but still very agile. It still needs three or four years to develop, but is already impressive." James Suckling

"The nose is a beach flora, wild fruits and herbs grow between the cracks of the salt-encrusted rocks. The palate leans into the metallic, savoury notes, but cherries, fizzy acidity and a latent warmth provide balance." Wine Enthusiast

"The Benanti 2021 Etna Rosso Contrada Cavaliere is powerful and bright with lots of primary fruit reminiscent of raspberry and redcurrant with a hint of white pepper. This vintage delivers a very clean and immediate quality of fruit that is crisp, snappy and even crunchy in texture. The winemaking style is focused and very precise. It will be interesting to see where this wine develops in three to four years' time. The way it tastes today, it definitely needs more time in the bottle." Wine Advocate

Benanti's new red comes 100% from the Monte Serra vineyard (Contrada) and from 13-100 year old Nerello Mascalese vines. The maximum production per year is just 6,000 bottles. It delights with its lively flavour and silky texture with beautiful cassis notes, enormous energy and terrificminerality and ends with a wonderfully long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"The wine comes from the historic vineyard around the very attractive winery. It is very complex with graphite nuances, ripe red berries, raspberry pulp, redcurrants and delicate floral notes. It is strikingly reminiscent of a Barolo with its earthy and dense character." Weinwisser

"Clear, more red than black berry nose with nutty aromas, some dried flowers, a hint of tobacco, hints of tar and tomato essence. Ripe, tart, juicy, firm, yet transparent fruit, restrained nutty flavours, some cocoa and pepper, herbal nuances, a certain acid bite and ripe, fine, quite present tannins, persistent on the palate, lots of salt, tobacco and smoky nuances, very good, firm finish." Wein-Plus

"A slightly chewy, medium-bodied red wine with notes of sun-dried cherries, rich loamy earth, grilled herbs and mocha finely interwoven with silky tannins. There are hints of tar and spice accents on the finish." Wine Spectator

"The Etna Rosso Contrada Monte Serra 2021 is dusty, floral and yet delicate. It smells of red fruits and spices with hints of rose. It flows easily over the palate, soft and round, gaining traction through a core of mineral, tart cherry and strawberry flavours. A crisp cranberry lingers along with edgy tannins and a hint of residual acidity that provides a lovely freshness. This is a beautiful interpretation of Monte Serra." Vinous

"The Benanti 2021 Etna Rosso Contrada Monte Serra (with fruit from the Viagrande side of the volcano) shows a floral and slightly more fragrant side of Nerello Mascalese. It is packed with red berries and small background details reminiscent of volcanic rock, mountain herbs and dried lavender. On the palate, the wine is straightforward and linear with very fine and dusty tannins." Wine Advocate

"Fine garnet red colour. Animating, elegant aroma of cherry and redcurrant, fresh herbs, spicy aftertaste. Strong structure on the palate, noticeable acidity and present tannins, powerful, fruity final." Falstaff

"Aromas of strawberries and cherries emerge first on the nose, but savoury notes of herbs, spices, earth and stone soon follow. The savoury elements unfold on the palate, which is built on a foundation of salty, fleshy flavours, but a citrus tone underlines the fruit of the nose, while the acidity escalates on the finish." Wine Enthusiast

"It has a nice acidity, with chocolaty red fruits in the mouth, accompanied by lots of spice, leading to a long woody, balsamic finish." Decanter

"Aromas of fresh plums, peaches and nectarines with some lemon blossom. Some caramel. Full-bodied yet unobtrusive with wonderfully finely structured tannins that spread openly across the palate. Oranges at the end with some candied lemons." James Suckling

Ruby red, with a fine cherry scent, in which there are also hints of nuts and wild berries, vanilla, cinnamon, sage and tobacco. Concentrated, rich flavour with harmonious tannins and a long, velvety final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, elegant ruby red. Restrained but balanced nose, appears multilayered although filigree. On the palate very juicy, dense, with clear fruit and tightly meshed enveloping tannin, shows elegant pressure, builds up in many layers, great length and finesse." Falstaff

"Deep crimson ruby. A lifted, perfumed raspberry nose with beautiful concentration, a peppery tingle and perfectly integrated oak. Vibrant, crushed red-berry fruit on the palate with long, finely chiselled tannins. Closes up a little on the finish, so expect much more to come, but right now it is already irresistible. Great balance and very elegant." Jancis Robinson

"This historic wine was Sicily's first single-vineyard bottling, from a five-hectare vineyard planted in 1959 then extended by 1.5 hectares in 1965. During its long history, Rosso del Conte has adopted various maturation mediums, including chestnut, Slavonian oak and, today, French oak. The 2016 - the current release - was fermented in stainless steel tanks before spending 18 months in small new French oak barriques. Perricone's spiciness immediately comes through in both aroma and flavour, bolstered by Nero d'Avola's rich, sticky and plummy fruits, accompanied by streaks of tangy red berries, black cherry and tobacco." Decanter

"This is a really pretty Sicilian red with dried-cherry, smoke, walnut and mushroom aromas and flavors. The sour-cherry character kicks in at the finish." James Suckling

"The 2016 Rosso del Conte lifts up with an intense and heady bouquet of sweet herbs and tobacco, which deepens as notes of exotic spice, medicinal cherry and hints of menthol form in the glass. It’s silky in texture, delivering a stunning mix of tart wild berries, salty minerals and sage that creates a pleasantly savory expression, as tannins slowly saturate toward the close. This tapers off structured and dry, nearly masking notes of blackberry and cacao that echo on through the finale. A towering and powerful vintage for Rosso del Conte that will require cellaring to show its best." Vinous

"The Tasca Conti d'Almerita 2016 Sicilia Contea di Sclafani Rosso del Conte Tenuta Regaleali is an historic estate blend of Nero d'Avola and Perricone, and it is the latest release of a wine that forever changed the enological future of Sicily by pegging it to a quality-driven production philosophy. The wine is darkly saturated and boasts pretty dark garnet concentration. Both grapes impart a lasting Sicilian imprint on the bouquet with those aromas of toasted fennel, pistachio and black olive that are always associated with this school of winemaking. The wine sits tight and long on the palate, thanks to its generous (but not overdone) full-bodied style." Wine Advocate