Zisola

Zisola, from the eponymous winery of the Mazzei family in Sicily, is an exceptionally well-made single-varietal Nero d'Avola. Elegantly shining ruby red with a delicately lightening rim. In the flattering fruit bouquet, ripe forest berries and rose hips, lightly reminiscent of blood orange with a hint of cocoa. Juicy and clear on the palate with hearty red fruit, powerful and soft on the final. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2021 Zisola is darkly floral and herbal in the glass, mixing earth tones with dried flowers, sage and crushed blackberries. This is soft and round with a mineral tinge that comes in early as tart wild berry fruits ride a core of brisk acidity. Sour citrus mingles with saline minerals as the 2021 finishes with a lovely freshness, lightly structured yet welcoming all the same. The Zisola is a perfect option for drinking now while waiting for the Doppiozeta to mature. Nicely done." Vinous

"Bright ruby red with violet reflections. Seductive nose, complex fruit play, cherry, raspberry and plum, fresh thyme. Animating and light on its feet on the palate, ripe tannin, well-integrated acidity, some elderberry on the final, lingers." Falstaff

"Sweet berries and hints of wood with dried flowers on the nose. Bark, too. Medium-bodied with firm and creamy-textured tannins and a fresh and clean finish." James Suckling

The new red from Zisola is a 100% Syrah in radiant ruby violet. Spicy bouquet with notes of black cherry, cassis, undergrowth and foliage. Juicy, engaging and balsamic on the palate, with prominent tannins and interesting acidity. Subtle hints of cocoa and smoked bacon on the long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Strong ruby red. In the nose of lush raspberries and wild berries, delicate plum, minimal pepper spice, a hint of milk chocolate in the aftertaste. On the palate dense and with grip, juicy and clear on the tongue, exciting course, lingers long." Falstaff

"A relatively new wine, the Zisola 2017 Sicilia Achilles is a pure expression of Syrah. This grape normally delivers especially rich and abundant wines from Sicily; however, this bottle holds back a bit in terms of intensity and concentration. The results are solidly mid-weight, and the wine reveals easy perfumes of dark cherry, cassis, spice and earthy leather. This vintage shows extra roundness and a supple quality to the fruit." Wine Advocate

"The 2017 Syrah Achilles captivates the senses with a beguiling bouquet that mixes black fruits, smoke and pepper with sweet violet and lavender notes. It’s silky and round in feel, balanced by a concentration of tart wild berries, savory herbs and a bitter touch of mocha toward the close. There’s a combination of decadence and contrasting sour citrus tension here that I find quite pleasurable, as the Achilles finishes lightly structured and persistent under an air of tar and tobacco. Nicely done." Vinous

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