COS

Nero di Lupo is - in contrast to many other single-varietal Nero d'Avola - a fresh and rather light wine, but no less interesting. With an intense aroma of sour cherries and herbs, the bright, friendly flavour is extremely fruity, lively and silky. SUPERIORE.DE

Rami is an attractive and at the same time very individual blend of Grecanico and Inzolia. Bright golden yellow in colour with a slight, typical cloudiness of an orange wine and an initially restrained, reductive bouquet, with some aeration then sweetly scented with apricots, dried flowers and orange peel. This intellectual white needs time and a certain amount of experience with natural wines - with the necessary amount of oxygen, it is highly appetising and elegant on the palate. SUPERIORE.DE

This is one of the most interesting and expressive wines to come out of the Vittoria area of Sicily. The Frappato is tangy and sharp, linear and direct. And it reveals more depth and nuances than you would expect in this price range. Normally, a good Frappato always has an authentic and transparent expression. This unmasked openness is also present here, but there is also an almost accidental hint of balsamic herbs and bitter almonds, which lend it further tension and personality. It's a good thing that Titta Cilia and Giusto Occhipinti leave nothing to chance, and so this finesse-rich Frappato is rightly one of the region's most distinctive wines every year. SUPERIORE.DE

Maldafrica denotes an "inner longing for a distant land" and is not love at first sight, but it is one of the most interesting wines of Sicily. It is very subtle and nuanced at first and it opens up gradually on its own timetable, but then: spontaneously fermented in amphorae, Maldafrica overwhelms the senses with dark fruits, spices, chopped herbs, salty notes, sulphur, leather and damp tobacco. Its mouthfeel is over a minute long and its acidity provides the perfect amount of astringency to refresh the senses for all its opulence. A quiet monument that sets standards throughout the wine region and leaves a lasting impression for all its longing. SUPERIORE.DE

Copper-coloured with light brown reflections. Floral-sweet and complex on the nose. On the palate, its typical Moscato aromas are carried by honey, dried fruit, caramel and a hint of musk. Creamy and dense on the palate with a well-dosed acidity that gives it a lot of freshness, the overall impression for us is that Aestas Passito is a dessert wine that is hard to beat in terms of excitement and specialness and where you can feel with every sip the dedication and certain wine craziness with which it was created. SUPERIORE.DE

Pithos Rosso was fermented spontaneously in the amphora and is a paragon of vibrancy, freshness, exoticism and elegance. Dried cherries, some leather and spices on the nose. Young and fresh on the palate, lively and yet extremely fragile. A perfectly crafted, mineral and highly unusual red that epitomises gentle biodynamics 100%. Be sure to aerate sufficiently before drinking! SUPERIORE.DE

"Darkly floral, the 2022 Rosso Pithos slowly evolves in the glass, blending roses and violets with crushed stone and hints of rhubarb. This creates a sensation of sweet-and-sour on the palate, with soft textures and juicy acidity guiding its tart red berry fruits and sour citrus tones. The 2022 tapers off long and staining yet only gently tannic, closing with notes of licorice and a lingering tart blackberry concentration. The Pithos is a zesty blend of 60% Nero d'Avola and 40% Frappato that’s refined for seven months in amphorae, followed by two to three months in concrete." Vinous

The former Cerasuolo di Vittoria exudes a wonderful fragrance of dark wild cherries. Dense but not heavy on the palate, long and pure with multilayered subtle fruit flavours. A sensual and at the same time pleasure-giving wine, 60 percent Nero d'Avola from the oak barrel and 40 percent Frappato matured in the glazed cement tank. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2019 Rosso Vittoria is darkly alluring, with a whiff of balsam herbs and cocoa giving way to black currants and air-dried meats. This is savory yet silky in feel, with depths of dark red fruit offset by a tinge of tangerine. Inner violet and lavender tones resonate as the 2019 finishes gently tannic yet remarkably fresh. A saline tinge calls the taster back to the glass. The Vittoria Rosso is a blend of 60% Nero d'Avola and 40% Frappato." Vinous

Wonderful, deep aroma of dark wild cherries, crushed raspberries, pomegranate, roses and peppery herbs. Dense but not heavy on the palate, long and pure with multi-layered subtle fruit flavours. Salty minerals and violet blossom emerge on the finish, along with nuanced tannins that create a classically dry feel on the elegant finish. This wine is already an absolute pleasure to drink, and although it tastes great now, it will continue to refine in the bottle for several years. A sensual and enjoyable wine, 60 per cent Nero d'Avola from oak barrels and 40 per cent Frappato matured in a vitrified cement vat. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2021 Cerasuolo di Vittoria entices with a dusty bouquet of citrus-laced blackberries, dried violets and sweet smoke. This is pure and lifted in style, communicating undeniable elegance with a silken wave of ripe wild berry fruit that swirls throughout. It finishes classically dry yet only gently tannic, leaving hints of black raspberry and spice to linger. The 2021 is simply stunning today and has the balance to evolve beautifully through medium-term cellaring." Vinous

"Nectarine flavours leap from the glass with lemon blossom and crushed stone. Medium-bodied with integrated tannins that envelop and caress the palate. Fine and delicious." James Suckling

Pithos Bianco is a great orange wine from the amphora made from 100 per cent Grecanico, fermented entirely on the skins. Complex bouquet of apple, pear, honey, mint and a hint of rosemary. Even young with lots of ripe fruit and spice, a little salt, with beautiful depth and purity in the interesting, persistent flavour. Very good ageing and maturation potential. Be sure to aerate sufficiently before drinking! SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2022 Pithos Bianco, a varietal Grecanico, is floral and exotic, mixing tropical flowers with chamomile, early grey, stone dust and nectarines. Lifted and wiry in feel, its brisk acidity and tart orchard fruits saturate the palate. Hints of sour citrus dry the mouth, but the 2022 maintains a lovely freshness, closing with persistent notes of kiwi and sage. This is sure to be a polarizing wine." Vinous

Aristocratic, amphora-aged natural wine made from 100 per cent Zibibbo with a reductive, floral bouquet, notes of white and yellow stone fruit and a savoury, spicy herbal aroma. The flavours meld with great elegance on the palate, with delicate notes of peach and exotic fruit, long, fresh, mineral and an extremely interesting finish. Be sure to aerate sufficiently before drinking! SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2022 Zibibbo in Pithos entices with a beautiful, exotic blend of mint, white smoke and orange sorbet. It’s soft-textured, building inner tension as tart orchard fruits and sour citrus tones come together with saline minerals and a core of brisk acidity. The 2022 tapers off long and fresh, finishing with a liquid floral concentration and hints of green melon that resonate." Vinous

"Light copper yellow colour. Pure and fragrant bouquet with jasmine, apricots, medlar and nectarines. Full-bodied and phenolic on the palate, with fresh acidity and a long, slightly salty finish. Only 11% alcohol. It has a beautiful structure and intensity. A wonderful Zibibbo with skin contact." 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

The grapes for COS' new flagship wine come from vines over 45 years old and are fermented spontaneously on the skins, using only the naturally occurring yeasts. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Cerasuolo di Vittoria Bastonaca 2019 seduces with a delightful, pink-coloured bouquet reminiscent of wild strawberries, cloves and fresh mint. It is soft and gentle, with lively acidity and a core of lively ripe cherries and berries. It leaves a lovely aftertaste of red liquorice and a hint of spice and finishes remarkably fresh. The 2019 is delicious." Vinous über den Jg. 2019

The grapes for the spicy, persistent Contrada come from over 50-year-old Nero d'Avola vines. Rich, lush bouquet of black cherries and plums, wonderfully fruity aromas on the palate with notes of leather, spices and liquorice. Seduces powerfully, with vitality and freshness, tension and a very distinguished elegance. SUPERIORE.DE

The Metodo Classico from COS, produced in very small quantities, is a real rarity. After fermentation in terracotta amphorae, it matures on the fine yeast for at least another 18 months in the classic champagne process before it is then disgorged without adding any dosage. It gets its pale pink colour from about 4 hours of contact with the skins. A rare Sicilian zero dosage that sets standards with its fineness, minerality and elegance! SUPERIORE.DE

The grapes for COS' new flagship wine come from vines over 45 years old and are fermented spontaneously on the skins, using only the naturally occurring yeasts. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Cerasuolo di Vittoria Bastonaca 2019 seduces with a delightful, pink-coloured bouquet reminiscent of wild strawberries, cloves and fresh mint. It is soft and gentle, with lively acidity and a core of lively ripe cherries and berries. It leaves a lovely aftertaste of red liquorice and a hint of spice and finishes remarkably fresh. The 2019 is delicious." Vinous

"This bottling is sourced from the estate's best parcels in the Bastonaca area of Vittoria. It offers up an inviting fragrance of dried and fresh red and black cherries, before diving into a sapid, super-fresh palate displaying wonderful dark cherry, pomegranate and wild strawberry flavours. There's some grip in the background, and a long finish. Wow! Such energy." Decanter

"Extremely perfumed with cherries, flowers and cement. Tantalising. Medium-bodied with creamy tannins that spread across the palate. Beautiful length and beauty." James Suckling

"Here's a wine I haven't seen for many years. The organic COS 2019 Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico Contrada della Bastonaca is a blend of 60% Nero d'Avola and 40% Frappato. It has a medium-dark appearance with floral aromas of rose, candied lilac, sour cherry and unripe plums. The wine is very fresh and tangy with a nice mineral theme that gives it focus and definition." Wine Advocate