The Sicilian wine thread

[Bobthebuilder]

double post

[Bobthebuilder]

Occhipinti Siccagno Nero D'Avola 2013
Damn this smells great, raspberry, blood plum, hints of spices and a wild sweetness. It's tangy with Pinot like acidity, moderate length and complexity. Hint of natural funk clears with air.

Would hope for a bit more at the $65 price.

i reckon id be disappointed when the natural funk disappears!

[TiggerK]

Agree, love a bit of funk. (crikey did a dodgy typo there for a bit).

It's $33AU or thereabouts if you buy it in New York. Ah the middle man and evil WSET combo strikes again.

[winetastic]

Agree, love a bit of funk. (crikey did a dodgy typo there for a bit).

It's $33AU or thereabouts if you buy it in New York. Ah the middle man and evil WSET combo strikes again.

$33 would make it good buying.

[winetastic]

Cottanera 'Barbazzale' Etna Rosso 2015 ($30)
Predominantly Nerello Mascalese with a little Nerello Cappuccio. This has a dark fruit profile which is more akin to Nero d'Avola, palate is extremely intense and quite ripe, feels a bit overworked and more like generic red wine. Not what I am looking for from a Nerello Mascalese, however pleasant enough to drink, albeit quite simple and forward.

[sjw_11]

Cottanera 'Barbazzale' Etna Rosso 2015 ($30)
with a little Nerello Cappuccio.

I read that three times as Cappuccino, in great confusion!

[Gavin Trott]

.
Just a note to let all lovers of Mt Etna Wines, which really should be all lovers of wine, full stop, that for a very limited time I can sell the stunning wines of

Azienda Agricola Crasà SRC 2015

The Rosso, of course, with limited access to the Cru's, or Contradas.

Very limited, but if of interest, let me know, email me, PM me, send a carrier pigeon, whatever works.

This is THE name and label to watch from Etna, apart from Passopisciaro, IMO ... stunning wines.

.

[winetastic]

Occhipinti Siccagno Nero D'Avola 2013
Damn this smells great, raspberry, blood plum, hints of spices and a wild sweetness. It's tangy with Pinot like acidity, moderate length and complexity. Hint of natural funk clears with air.

Would hope for a bit more at the $65 price.

Got the 2014 in front of me now, an extremely drinkable wine, fresh, mineral, juicy black cherry + crushed raspberry, a little natural funk / interest on the exit. Give it an hour or so to open up and reach for your tulip shaped Nebbiolo/Pinot glass (Plumm beating Zalto burg glass here).

Just enough zesty tannin too, will be wild with food if I stop drinking and finish cooking.

[Tamara8995]

This wine grew from innocent & quite to screaming in the glass from opening 2 hours ago. Initially very closed with a subtle dusty nose with a hint of green herb. It had and quite refined palate; but didn't give much away other that red fruit and soft tannin. Now, what a difference. Red earth, pomegranate and a bit of game meat on the nose and bright and rich red fruit, silky tannin with a subtle green herbaceous finish on the palate. A wonderful drink tonight option to enjoy on a cold rainy night. [Occhipinti Siccagno 2014 Nero D'Avola, Terre Sicilane]

[winetastic]

Le Vigne Di Eli Etna Rosso Moganazzi Volta Sciara 2012
14.5%, Mostly Nerello Mascelese with a little Nerrello Cappuccio, vines planted in 1950. This particular bottle shows obvious signs of leaking, so going to try a glass and just roll with it if still sound...

Nose is distinctly Mt Etna, that mix of crushed red berries, ash and sappy pine needles. No shrinking violet, the palate has plenty of rich dark fruits and a firm grip of velvety tannin at its core. Very good length and enough cranberry-like acid to keep the vibrant fruit in line. There is just a hint of green bitterness mixed with very ripe fruit on the finish - given how big and hot the year was in general, ill allow it.

Mike Bennie suggested the style of these wines are more like SRC than Passopisciaro, I think he hit the nail on the head, the closest analogy here would be the SRC Rivaggi.

[Ozzie W]

Le Vigne Di Eli Etna Rosso Moganazzi Volta Sciara 2012
14.5%, Mostly Nerello Mascelese with a little Nerrello Cappuccio, vines planted in 1950. This particular bottle shows obvious signs of leaking, so going to try a glass and just roll with it if still sound...

That's concerning. I better check the bottles I purchased recently. I think we both purchased from the same place.

[Ozzie W]

Le Vigne Di Eli Etna Rosso Moganazzi Volta Sciara 2012
14.5%, Mostly Nerello Mascelese with a little Nerrello Cappuccio, vines planted in 1950. This particular bottle shows obvious signs of leaking, so going to try a glass and just roll with it if still sound...

That's concerning. I better check the bottles I purchased recently. I think we both purchased from the same place.

I removed the foil from my 2 bottles. Both had a dry sticky residue all over the inner foil. The corks also have some staining on the outside.



Checked 2 bottles of 2013s and they were clean as a whistle. So it seems that batch of 2012's may have been poorly stored at some stage. I will open a bottle and try. Hopefully still in sound drinking condition like yours.

[winetastic]

That looks exactly like the bottle I had.

It drank well, but I cannot help but wonder, was it at its best?

[Ozzie W]

That looks exactly like the bottle I had.

It drank well, but I cannot help but wonder, was it at its best?

I can't fault the bottle I opened tonight. If the leaking capsule caused the wine to deteriorate even just a little, I'm none the wiser. I think I'll keep my second bottle for a couple more years before opening. I can see this improving further with time.

First time I've had a wine from Le Vigne di Eli. I can see where the comparisons with SRC come from. The acid line is very similar in style. Another Etna producer to add to my "like list". For such an obscure wine region, we're so fortunate to be able to buy so many different producers in Australia.

[winetastic]

Le Vigne Di Eli Etna Rosso Moganazzi Volta Sciara 2013
Another vintage, another leaky bottle

Still, the wine was sound. A completely different beast to the 2012, initially opened up with extremely tart cranberry flavours, however as the wine opened up this submurged nicely. Wine was very fine boned and delicate on the palate, yet expressive and rich on the nose. Reminded me of a Mac Forbes Pinot, with Etna flair. Very good, better than the 2012.

[winetastic]

Graci Etna Rosso 2014
Quite tart on the palate, lots of cranberry acidity, some pinot-like tannin, lacking a touch of depth but does show the typical Etna ash/stone thing. Smells a lot richer and more complex than it tastes. Would be good buying at $15, not at $40+.

[Ozzie W]

Graci Etna Rosso 2014
Quite tart on the palate, lots of cranberry acidity, some pinot-like tannin, lacking a touch of depth but does show the typical Etna ash/stone thing. Smells a lot richer and more complex than it tastes. Would be good buying at $15, not at $40+.

According to wine-searcher, this is €14.90 in Italy and $20.95 in the USA. $44.99 here. Oh, how we get ripped off in Oz

[winetastic]

Tenuta delle Terre Nere Prephylloxera Etna Rosso 2014
Mostly Nerello Mascelese, from a small patch of a 130+ year old vineyard which is still on the original rootstock.

No shrinking violet, loads of fruit intensity and plenty of high quality oak. The wine can carry said oak, but why should it have to? Although you can definitely still tell this is an Etna Rosso, what appears to be more heavy handed winemaking and atypical oak treatment leads to the classic "icon wine tastes a bit like all other icon wines".

Based on my limited exposure to the Passopisciaro single cru wines, go for those instead - they are far more unique and have a wonderful transparency to pair with complexity. This is complex but dense - think of an icon Pinot that might as well be a Shiraz.

[Ozzie W]

Tenuta delle Terre Nere Prephylloxera Etna Rosso 2014
Mostly Nerello Mascelese, from a small patch of a 130+ year old vineyard which is still on the original rootstock.

No shrinking violet, loads of fruit intensity and plenty of high quality oak. The wine can carry said oak, but why should it have to? Although you can definitely still tell this is an Etna Rosso, what appears to be more heavy handed winemaking and atypical oak treatment leads to the classic "icon wine tastes a bit like all other icon wines".

Based on my limited exposure to the Passopisciaro single cru wines, go for those instead - they are far more unique and have a wonderful transparency to pair with complexity. This is complex but dense - think of an icon Pinot that might as well be a Shiraz.

Is this the wine from the Don Peppino vineyard? I've not tried it, but I've read that many people write it off when tasting young for being way too oaky. Apparently the oak settles down significantly with aging. That said, I can't understand why a winemaker would want to heavily oak a Nerello Mascalese from such good terroir.

[jimv]

Palari Faro 2009 (Nerello blend). A massive 99 points from someone called Doctor Wine, bought for 34e in Cefalu last year. Nice enough, medium bodied, fine tannins, strawberry, dried herb and gravel, but was hoping for more.

[winetastic]

Is this the wine from the Don Peppino vineyard?

Yes it is.

There is no doubting its a high quality wine, but not my style.

[Ian S]

Palari Faro 2009 (Nerello blend). A massive 99 points from someone called Doctor Wine, bought for 34e in Cefalu last year. Nice enough, medium bodied, fine tannins, strawberry, dried herb and gravel, but was hoping for more.

Doctor Wine = Daniele Cernilli, who used to be one of the Gambero Rosso authors. So a recognised name, but I rather lost my enthusiasm for that guide many years ago. FWIW I picked up his 2016 book when in Italy. On the plus side decent tasting notes! (GR used to have little to say about the wines, but then they gave up trying to describe them at all!). Also useful information such as prices & contact details, production levels, vineyard area, etc. On the downside, quite selective in both producers and the wines reviewed - I find Duemilavini more comprehensive. I get the sense he still has the same love of French barrique he had back in the GR days, and happier with the 'international' style than I am. p.s. it's in Italian.

In terms of how far he is on the points escalation scale, a little Halliday like, but not as bad as Suckling. The 2016 edition had no 100 pointers, a single 99 pointer, just short of 20 at 98, ~ 25 at 97 and so on. So clearly he thinks it's truly exceptional, but that's the problem with critics - they aren't experts in what you or I would like.

[winetastic]

Le Vigne Di Eli 'San Lorenzo' Etna Rosso 2014
Nerello Mascelese with presumably some Nerello Cappuccio in there for good measure. Cork stained most of the way up one side, the nose is very expressive with crushed blackberries, violets and dried rose plus dusty earth. The palate is quite juicy and carries the 14.5% alcohol well, not the most intense or complex wine in the world but certainly very pleasant. Food friendly, by the glass in a wine bar friendly, solid on a humid Sydney evening.

I cannot help but feel that these Vigne Di Eli wines are intended to be affordable and cheerful, yet by the time they make it to our shores, one might as well get a Passopisciaro for the money.

[Ozzie W]

2007 Passopisciaro Sicilia Passopisciaro

[url=https://postimg.org/image/drixv71mj/][img]https://s17.postimg.org/drixv71mj/MVIMG_20171208_191709.jpg[/img][/url]

100% Nerello Mascalese. 14% ABV.

Had a few of these over the last couple years, some bottles better than others. This one a fantastic bottle that's still zigging along with at least few years still left in the tank.

Smoky cherry, earthiness, mushroom, oriental spices and that classic Etna minerality. Great tertiary complexity. Good acidity and well integrated soft tannins. Long savoury finish. Everything so well balanced and just a delight to drink.

I served this wine blind to some friends who are into wine amongst a line-up of Aussie Pinots. They'd never heard of Nerello Mascalese before. Suffice to say that Nerello Mascalese now has 3 new fans.

[winetastic]

I served this wine blind to some friends who are into wine amongst a line-up of Aussie Pinots. They'd never heard of Nerello Mascalese before. Suffice to say that Nerello Mascalese now has 3 new fans.

Nice

[Ozzie W]

Le Vigne Di Eli Etna Rosso Moganazzi Volta Sciara 2013
Another vintage, another leaky bottle

Still, the wine was sound. A completely different beast to the 2012, initially opened up with extremely tart cranberry flavours, however as the wine opened up this submurged nicely. Wine was very fine boned and delicate on the palate, yet expressive and rich on the nose. Reminded me of a Mac Forbes Pinot, with Etna flair. Very good, better than the 2012.

Tried this one tonight. Some stains on the side of the cork about half the way up, but no signs of leaking.

[url=https://postimg.org/image/re2hqc1ij/][img]https://s17.postimg.org/re2hqc1ij/MVIMG_20171210_195008.jpg[/img][/url]

Jubey raspberry fruit on entry, plum, with a tart cranberry acidity mixed with sweet pineapple on the finish. Sweet pineapple!?!? All about the fruit rather than structure. Reminds me of Sangria. Doesn't taste like the Etna I'm used to. Something wrong with this bottle. Cooked?

Le Vigne Di Eli 'San Lorenzo' Etna Rosso 2014
I cannot help but feel that these Vigne Di Eli wines are intended to be affordable and cheerful, yet by the time they make it to our shores, one might as well get a Passopisciaro for the money.

After tonight's bottle and a couple previous bottles which had obvious signs of leaking, I concur. Won't be buying any more of these.

[Ozzie W]

2016 Graci Etna Rosato

[url=https://postimg.org/image/zfbkh46iz/][img]https://s17.postimg.org/zfbkh46iz/MVIMG_20171214_164314.jpg[/img][/url]

100% Nerello Mascalese from Passopisciaro. 13% ABV.

A lot of body for a Rosé. Ripe strawberries, cream, campari, rosehip tea. Etna minerality in spades. Superb balance between the fruitiness, savouriness and zesty acidity. Bone dry finish with a lovely texture on the palate from start to finish. This is right up there with the best Rosé's I've ever had.

[Ozzie W]

2015 Azienda Agricola Crasà SRC Etna Rosato

[url=https://postimg.org/image/kql3ikg0r/][img]https://s17.postimg.org/kql3ikg0r/MVIMG_20171218_174635.jpg[/img][/url]

70% Nerello Mascalese with the 30% balance being from the white grapes of Carricante, Minnella and Insolia. Pressed together and co-fermented in steel. 13.5% ABV.

By far the darkest Rosé I've ever encountered -- could easily mistake it for Pinot Noir. Smells of fresh berries. On the palate it starts ramping up almost to the point of being sweet, but then the acidity and grippy tannins kick into gear and it never gets there. Very fresh, juicy red fruits with a powerful gutsy structure. Very dry and savoury on the finish with nuances of burnt caramel. Unlike most Rosé this has the structure to improve with a few years in the cellar. The perfect wine to drink on a hot Melbourne night!

[Diddy]

2015 Azienda Agricola Crasà SRC Etna Rosato

[url=https://postimg.org/image/kql3ikg0r/][img]https://s17.postimg.org/kql3ikg0r/MVIMG_20171218_174635.jpg[/img][/url]

70% Nerello Mascalese with the 30% balance being from the white grapes of Carricante, Minnella and Insolia. Pressed together and co-fermented in steel. 13.5% ABV.

By far the darkest Rosé I've ever encountered -- could easily mistake it for Pinot Noir. Smells of fresh berries. On the palate it starts ramping up almost to the point of being sweet, but then the acidity and grippy tannins kick into gear and it never gets there. Very fresh, juicy red fruits with a powerful gutsy structure. Very dry and savoury on the finish with nuances of burnt caramel. Unlike most Rosé this has the structure to improve with a few years in the cellar. The perfect wine to drink on a hot Melbourne night!

Loved this wine when I visited SRC back in September - glad you enjoyed it!

[winetastic]

SRC kicking goals again