Sicily

• Mt. Etna

This is 100% Nerello Mascalese from vineyards in Sicily that are 1,600 feet in altitude.  Purple in color, with some ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with smoke, cherries, and black pepper.  Medium to full bodied.  Although there are firm tannins, this has an inviting soft texture.  Good acidity.  The palate has cherries, black cherries over a char.  Very concentrated.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue for another ten to fifteen years.  It will work better with food such as sword fish served as Involtini di pesce spade.  

This is 60% Nero d'Avola and 40% Frappato from Sicily.  Purple in color with ruby hues, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, smoke and slight mint note.  Medium bodied with medium tannins.  Good acidity.  The wine is interesting with cherries, black cherries with a dark, earthy loam note underneath.  Good finish.  This is drinking well but will mature a bit.  It will provide good drinking for the next eight to twelve years.  Although it is nice on its own, it will work better at the dinner table.  It will work well with game but also Busiate al pesto Trapanese fo

This is a 60/40 blend of Nero D'Avola and Frappato.  The Nero D'avolo is from two different vineyards.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is very nice; earthy with cherries and smoke.  This has a wonderful silky texture.  Medium tannins.  A strong backbone of acidity.  Very deep with tight complexity that should unwind over the next eight to twelve years.  Plenty of cherries with some black cherry fruit.  Long finish.  This is nice on its own but will shine with food.  Pasta con le sarde would be an excellent match but it would also work well with a mushroom pizza

This is 100% Frappato grapes from Western Sicily fermented and aged in steel.  Light ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries with a touch of cherry cough syrup.  Light to medium bodied.  On the palate, there is some complexity.  Nice acidity.  Firm tannins.  Flavors of tart cherries with a bit of underlying tar (in a good way).  This is a very interesting take on Frappato.  It drinks well now and should for another  seven to ten years.  It will work better with food.  Arancini's would work well (and other fried foods).  

This is made from the Frappato grape in Sicily.

This is a Rose wine from Sicily made from 100% Perricone grapes.  Salmon pink/orange in color, clear and bright.  The nose has apples, strawberries and some cherries.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, cherries, red apples with slight strawberries.  A slight orange rind note on the finish.  This is refreshing and should be versatile with food.  Pasta alla Norma should be a classic match.  Drink over the next couple of years.  

This is made from Carricante grapes on the slopes of Mt. Etna in Sicily.  Yellow/gold in color, clear and bright.  An interesting nose with peach, slight orange notes, smoke, and almonds.  Full bodied with a slightly viscous texture.  Good acidity.  On the palate, lemons and minerals/smoke.  A bit of lemon candy on the Long finish.  This drinks very well on its own and will work well with sea food and lighter foods.  drink over the next couple of years.  

From Sicilia DOC, this is 100% Catarratto grapes.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has golden raisins with green apple notes.  There is a lovely oily texture that is slightly viscous.  On the palate, the green apples come thru.  Lower acidity.  This works better with food though certainly enjoyable  on its own.  Swordfish would be a nice accompaniment.  Drink over the next couple years.  

This is 100% Nero D'Avola from Sicily.  This is another value priced wine that drinks well and is also quite interesting.  For those unfamiliar with this grape it is similar to Pinot Noir with a bit less body and a bit more acidity.  Garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, black cherries and anise.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, nice cherry fruit with good acidity.  A bit of anise (black licorice) on the finish.  This drinks better with food.  Pasta or pizza would be a nice match.  Drink over the next few years.  

This is made from the Grillo grape in Sicily.  Light yellow/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has a nice minerality along with a touch of salinity and a bit of melon/cantaloupe.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is dry with a nice texture.  The cantaloupe comes thru along with a touch of lemon candy.  Enough acidity, especially on the finish to give it some energy and zing.  This is drinking well on its own but will work well with lighter summer dinners.  Drink over the next couple of years.  A very nice value at MSRP $15.