Sicily
Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, is not only known for its breath-taking landscapes and rich history but also for producing exceptional fine wines. With its sunny climate, volcanic soils, and coastal influences, Sicily offers a unique terroir that results in a diverse range of high-quality wines. The region is home to several renowned vineyards and wineries that have gained global recognition for their excellence.
One of the most famous vineyards in Sicily is Planeta, a family-owned winery that produces a wide range of wines across different terroirs. Their wines, such as Cerasuolo di Vittoria and Nero d'Avola, capture the essence of Sicily with their bold flavors, vibrant acidity, and expressive aromatics. Another prominent vineyard is Donnafugata, known for its premium wines like Mille e Una Notte and Ben Ryé, which showcase the region's indigenous grape varieties and winemaking traditions.
Sicily is renowned for its red wines, and Nero d'Avola is the most emblematic grape varietal of the region. It produces full-bodied red wines with rich dark fruit flavors, hints of spice, and velvety tannins. Vineyards like Tasca d'Almerita and Feudo Maccari excel in crafting exceptional Nero d'Avola wines that reflect the unique Sicilian terroir.
The island is also gaining recognition for its white wines, particularly those made from the indigenous grape variety, Grillo. These wines are known for their crisp acidity, citrus flavors, and floral aromatics. Notable vineyards like Planeta and Firriato produce outstanding Grillo wines that capture the vibrant and refreshing characteristics of Sicily.
Additionally, Sicily's warm climate is ideal for producing sweet wines. The Passito di Pantelleria, made from Zibibbo grapes, is a luscious and aromatic dessert wine. The famous vineyard of Marco De Bartoli is known for its exceptional Passito di Pantelleria wines, which display the island's mastery in producing exquisite sweet wines.
Sicily's fine wines truly represent the island's beauty, history, and passion for winemaking. Whether you are savoring a robust Nero d'Avola, a crisp Grillo, or a delightful Passito di Pantelleria, Sicilian wines offer a captivating journey of flavors that showcase the unique terroir and winemaking expertise of the region.
Sicily
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Wine Advocate (95+)
Violets, tar, asphalt, black cherries and plums all come alive in the 2010 Franchetti. Wonderfully alive and vibrant in the glass, the 2010 shows an unusual level of ripeness and juiciness for the year. Ideally, the 2010 needs a few years to shed some of its baby fat, as it is almost too intense today. Still, it is impossible to miss the wine’s detail, nuance and transparency. This blend of Cesanese and Petit Verdot should be a stunner in another few years’ time. The flagship Franchetti remains one of the most distinctive wines of the Etna, although in spirit and interpretation it is quite far from every other wine I have tasted. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2025.$483.00 -
(6x75cl) 2013Vinous (92)
(15.5% alcohol): Inky ruby. Superripe aromas and flavors of black cherry syrup, red cherry jam, chocolate and minerals. Spicy, peppery tannins and bright acidity provide plenty of backbone to this opulent, ultra-suave wine, which tastes like it was made with air-dried grapes. Extremely long on the finish, closing with a strong note of sweet pipe tobacco and a hint of volcanic ash. In fact, the smoky note was so evident that I couldn’t help thinking that this is what it must be like to drink a cigar.$718.00 -
(6x75cl) 2015$587.00 -
Vinous (98+)
Fully saturated, impenetrable inky-ruby color. Smells very concentrated but offers pristine herbal and mineral nuances to the ripe red and black fruit aromas and flavors. Much more refined in the mouth than the powerful nose indicates, with lively acidity nicely extending flavors similar to the aromas on the long rich and very dense finish. A marvelous wine that is both rich and concentrated and yet light on its feet. Finishes with an enticing, spicy juicy note. This blend of 60% Petit Verdot and 40% Cesanese d’Affile is an absolutely superb wine; well done. I’m curious to see how this develops over the next few years and if it will one day merit a perfect score or not.$647.00 -
(6x75cl) 2017$587.00 -
(1x75cl) 2019Vinous (96+)
The 2019 Franchetti is like a dark stallion, muscled and sleek. It opens slowly in the glass, inward yet viral, with dusty dried flowers giving way to nuances of plum, brown spice, cardamom, savory herbs and hints of cocoa. The textures here are like crushed velvet, prominent, almost weighty, yet with a balance of brisk acidity and tart fruits that add contrast. The 2019 leaves a subtle staining of harmonious tannins, along with dark inner florals and hints of black currant that linger incredibly long. The vines for the Franchetti were planted in 2000 within the Guardiola cru. In 2019, the blend is Petit Verdot-dominated, with only 3% Cesanese d'affile.$113.00 -
(6x75cl) 2022Wine Advocate (94)
This wine always stands apart in a tasting of Etna reds. Made with a blend of 70% Petit Verdot and 30% Cesanese d'Affile (a grape found mostly in the Lazio region of central Italy), this wine has been the focus of some controversy in the past because no indigenous grapes are used, but it has come into its own in recent years. With a production history that spans two decades, it is also one of the first red wines from the Sicilian volcano to emerge with international interest. The Passopisciaro 2022 Franchetti (with just 3,800 bottles made) reveals a blackish color and thick concentration with aromas of blackcurrant, spice and tobacco. There is ample meat on these bones in terms of succulence, fruit weight and a 15% alcohol content, but the wine does gracefully hold back from feeling too over-extracted or heavy. It shows velvety tannins. It ferments in stainless steel and starts off in barrique for six months, followed by 12 months of aging in large oak casks. These are 21-year-old vines planted by the late Andrea Franchetti in double guyot at 820 to 850 meters above sea level.$619.00 -
(6x75cl) 2021$466.00 -
$187.00 -
Vinous (91)
The 2018 Contrada Passochianche (PC) opens up slowly, both rich and fresh, offering notes of crushed hazelnuts, smoke, hints of custard and raw honey evolving into ripe yellow apple and sweet nuanced florals. This is silky and pliant, balanced by brisk acids and tart stone fruits, while salty minerals and hints of almond add further savory depths. Its concentration and persistence are admirable, as the Passochianche seems to slowly melt away from the palate, leaving a sense of structure along with hints of candied citrus. This is the first rendition of the PC, a single-vineyard Chardonnay that is fermented in neutral 20-hectoliter barrels and then spends six months refining on the lees.$261.00 -
Vinous (90)
Wet fall leaves, tobacco and crushed black cherries form a pleasantly mature bouquet as the 2015 Passorosso comes to life in the glass. Lifted and graceful in style, it presents a slightly fleeting mix of wild berries and sweet herbs. This leaves a mineral saturation and hints of blood orange, tapering off with medium length. This is a lovely evolution of Passopisciaro's entry-level Rosso.$133.00 -
$127.00 -
(6x75cl) 2021$212.00 -
(6x75cl) 2010Passopisciaro Passorosso Terre Siciliane 2010 exemplifies the rich heritage of Sicily’s wine-making tradition. Crafted by the esteemed Passopisciaro family in the fertile terra rossa soils of the Ragusa region, this robust red blends predominantly Nero d'Avola with hints of Frappato and Syrah. Hand-harvested grapes undergo a meticulous fermentation process in stainless steel tanks, followed by aging for 18 months in French oak barrels, imparting complex layers of dark cherries, spices, and subtle vanilla notes. The terroir’s unique microclimate, combined with sustainable vineyard practices, ensures exceptional quality and depth. The 2010 vintage is particularly notable for its balanced acidity and velvety tannins, offering a harmonious finish that reflects the passion and expertise of its producers. Ideal for pairing with hearty Sicilian cuisine, Passopisciaro Passorosso Terre Siciliane 2010 is a distinguished choice for connoisseurs seeking authentic, elegantly structured fine wine.
$234.00 -
(6x75cl) 2019Vinous (93)
A dusty and inviting mix of dried roses and cherries is contrasted by hints of ash and smoke as the 2019 Contrada Porcaria (P) blossoms in the glass. This is undeniably elegant in feel, with velvety textures that coast across its medium-bodied frame, delivering mineral-tinged red berries and sweet herbal tones that arch across the palate. It’s lightly structured with grippy tannins that tug at the cheeks, yet the mouth is left watering for more, as hints of pomegranate and plum slowly fade. The Porcaria vineyard stands at 650 meters, with soils that are described by Passopisciaro as, “A frail sheet of lava that splinters under one’s feet.” Give this beauty another year of cellaring to come fully into focus.$375.00 -
(6x75cl) 2018$374.00 -
(6x75cl) 2014$332.00 -
(6x75cl) 2016Vinous (96)
The 2016 Etna Rosso Barbagalli tempts the imagination with nuances of black tea, incense, ashen stone, sage and sweet spice, all complementing a vivid note of black cherry. This displays velvety textures lifted by crisp acidity and crunchy mineral tones as a saturation of red and black fruit resonates beneath an air of tobacco. It's powerful and dense yet refined, leaving a pleasant bitterness that mingles with fine-grained tannins through the dramatic finale. An amazing maturation has taken place here. The 2016 Barbagalli is thrilling to taste.$1,280.00 -
(1x75cl) 2019Discover the exquisite Pietro Caciorgna Etna Anticchia 2019, a quintessential expression of Sicily’s renowned Etna region. Crafted by the esteemed Caciorgna family, this red wine is meticulously vinified from handpicked Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio grapes, cultivated in the mineral-rich volcanic soils that define Anticchia’s unique terroir. Fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, the wine undergoes a delicate aging process in French oak barrels for 12 months, imparting subtle complexity without overshadowing its vibrant fruit character. On the palate, Pietro Caciorgna Etna Anticchia 2019 reveals layers of cherry, plum, and earthy undertones, complemented by fine tannins and a long, elegant finish. Ideal for pairing with Mediterranean cuisine or simply savoring on its own, this vintage exemplifies the harmonious balance and finesse that Pietro Caciorgna is celebrated for. Elevate your collection with this distinguished Etna masterpiece.
$107.00 -
(6x75cl) 2022Wine Advocate (93)
The Tenuta di Fessina 2022 Etna Bianco A' Puddara (in the bottle with the dark blue label) shows an enhanced mineral side with sharp contours, which is contrasted against a creamy side with orchard fruit and saffron. This is a mid-weight release of 11,500 bottles that was aged in large French oak casks for 12 months on the fine lees followed by an additional 12 months in bottle. Fruit comes from a four-hectare parcel of alberello (bush-trained) vines in Contrada Spadatrappo (in Biancavilla). The vines were planted in 1973 on sandy volcanic soils with clay and tuffaceous rock at a very high 940 meters above sea level.$329.00 -
(6x75cl) 2021Discover the harmonious merger of passion and tradition in the Tenuta di Fessina Etna Bianco Musmeci 2021. Hailing from the volcanic soils of Mount Etna in Sicily, this Italian white wine glows with a distinctive golden hue, encapsulating the moods of its sun-soaked vineyards. Captivatingly minerally, it layers its volcanic origins tastefully with hints of juniper berries, hawthorn, and mint. Picked from 50-year-old vines, the indigenous Carricante grapes provide the lean structure and scintillating acidity unique to the Tenuta di Fessina lineage.
Tenuta di Fessina, a passion-fuelled project-turned-vineyard by Silvia Maestrelli, meticulously follows an organic approach to preserve the terroir's authentic expression. The hand-harvested grapes, fermented in stainless steel vessels, bespeak the winemaker's dedication to maintaining the purity of the Etna's terrain. With the Tenuta di Fessina Etna Bianco Musmeci 2021, imbibe a balanced, crystalline sip of Sicily's grandeur and volcanic allure.
$843.00 -
(6x75cl) 2022Terrazze Etna Etna Carusu 2022 epitomises the exquisite craftsmanship of Sicily’s renowned volcanic terroir. Crafted by the esteemed Terrazze Etna winery, nestled on the southeastern slopes of Mount Etna, this vintage harnesses the unique mineral-rich soils that define the region. The Carusu vineyard, exposed to optimal sunlight and cooling breezes, cultivates Nerello Mascalese and Carricante grapes with meticulous care. Hand-harvested and gently fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, the wine undergoes a delicate ageing process in French oak barrels for twelve months, enhancing its complexity without overshadowing its natural elegance. The 2022 vintage presents an alluring bouquet of red berries, subtle spices, and earthy undertones, culminating in a silky, well-balanced palate with refined tannins and a lingering finish. Ideal for discerning connoisseurs, Terrazze Etna Etna Carusu 2022 reflects both tradition and innovation, offering a sublime expression of Etna’s illustrious viticultural heritage.
$375.00 -
(6x75cl) 2022Vinous (96)
Aromatic intensity characterizes the 2022 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana as crushed ashen stone and grilled herb aromas blow off to reveal spiced orange peels, dried black cherries and cloves. A captivating lift from vibrant acidity enlivens the wine's luxurious textures. Saline minerality enhances ripe wild berry fruits as grippy tannins build throughout. The finish is remarkably long and concentrated, displaying a youthful structure and a persistent, pleasantly tart edginess. This expertly blends generosity with power.$298.00 -
$309.00 -
$317.00 -
(12x75cl) 2019$302.00 -
$292.00 -
Kerin O'Keefe (97)
Hailing from 140-year-old Nerello Mascalese vines, Tenuta delle Terre Nere’s 2020 Calderara Sottana La Vigna di Don Peppino Prephylloxera is an absolute stunner, starting with its aromas of Mediterranean scrub, ripe red berry, rose and spice. Savory and all about finesse, the linear palate delivers juicy red cherry, pomegranate, vanilla and salty mineral notes wrapped up in taut, fine-grained tannins. Bright acidity keeps it balanced and energized. Drink 2025–2035.$1,130.00 -
$732.00 -
James Suckling (95)
This shows a very attractive, savory character with red cherries and raspberries, accompanied with dried summer herbs, candied orange and red spices. Dry earth, too. Medium- to full-bodied. Very even and seamless tannin structure. Refined and polished with a dusty earthiness that leads to a dry, delicate finish. Drink or hold.$581.00
