Premi

Die Trauben stammen aus der Contrada Montelaguardia bei Randazzo: eindrückliches Bouquet mit Noten von Himbeeren und Kräutern. Im Auftakt kompakt, geschliff ene Gerbstoff e, die Säure ist im Einklang mit der mineralischen Salzigkeit, das virile Finale komplettiert den optimalen Eindruck.

Luminous golden-orange. Perfumed and precise honeyed aromas and flavors of cane sugar, peach, mango, papaya, passion fruit and dates. Suave, very sweet and rich, with a dense yet light on its feet quality, this boasts a long finish that features notes of peach and honey. An outstanding Ben Ryé that strikes me as less fragrant but more suave than some recent vintages. Ben Ryé is one of Italy’s five or ten best sweet wines every year and it’s safe to say this year’s version will not harm its reputation any.

Ian D’agata

Fully saturated inky-ruby. Tar and licorice dominate the black cherry, plum and violet aromas on the deep, multifaceted nose. Then deep, dense and suave, with very ripe, almost liqueur-like red and black cherry, cassis, cocoa and sweet spice flavors. Finishes long with a hint of black pepper and a repeating nuance of violet. A big, strapping, brooding wine that needs time and that is in the style of the hot year. Not exactly my preferred style of Mille e Una Notte, but Port lovers and super ripe Napa Cab fans will love this.

Luminous deep red. Knockout nose offers tangy red fruits, minerals and porcini complicated by Oriental spices and broom. Conveys an impression of superb concentration but also of nonpareil refinement, boasting the uncanny combination of tactile presence and deep luscious pristine red fruit, aromatic herb and stony flavors. A wine of great length and potential with a penetrating steely quality and with lots of fruit lurking in the background. This is the first vintage of Donnafugata’s new top of the line Etna Rosso and it’s a beauty. It undoubtedly helps that the grapes come from the Montelaguardia contrada, one of the lesser known but terroir-wise, one of the of the very best Etna contradas of all.

Ian D’agata

Medium pale red. Perfumed nose of floral red berries, geranium and violet. Juicy and saline, with a savory twist to the red berry and floral flavors. Closes long with lively acidity and a stony edge.

Ian D’agata

Bright deep red. Perfumed aromas of violet, cinnamon and red berries. Then rich, dense and suave but with lively acidity lifting the inner-mouth perfume of the red berry and red cherry flavor. Finishes long and floral. Lovely Cerasuolo di Vittoria with sneaky concentration and real refinement.

Luminous dark ruby. Flinty small dark berries, licorice and minerals on the nose and in the mouth. Clean and fresh, with a steely spine; finishes long, clean and vibrant, with a mineral bent. I like this.

Deep red. Ripe aromas of red cherry and Oriental spices. Then fresh and juicy, but with a luscious quality to the super-ripe red and black cherry flavors that turn more austere in the middle. Finishes long and suave. This smells and tastes a lot like the 2018 Sherazade, only made from riper grapes. A blend of Nero d’Avola mostly, plus Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah.

Bright medium-dark red-ruby. Herbs, spices and dark plum with a violet topnote. Then more licorice and herbs in the mouth with a juicy mouthfeel. Finishes bright and fresh with good persistence. If wine could be fun, then this is a blast.

Bright deep red. Very perfumed and precise nose of violets, black cherry and delicate herbs. Then juicy and fresh, with outstanding sugar-acid-tannin balance on the crisp, long and lively finish. Delicious, lovely medium-bodied, very fresh red that can take a little chilling. Maybe the best Sherazade ever.

Ian D’agata

Bright straw. Pungent notes of rose water, camphor and peach on the intense nose. Then smooth and round, with spicy flavors of orange oil and white stone fruit complicated by botanical herbs. Finishes long and clean.

Ian D’agata

Luminous straw. Enticing aromas of orange, tangerine nectar, figs and sweet spices with a white floral topnote. Juicy and lively, with a saline undercurrent to the fruit flavors. A very pretty wine, just slightly less concentrated and intense than some other recent, better, vintages, but this is still an outstanding example of a classically rendered Zibibbo that tastes classically dry.

Ian D’agata

Vivid straw color. Varietally accurate aromas and flavors of greengage, orange blossom, cinnamon, nutmeg and fresh ginger. Juicy fresh and dense in the mouth with a multifaceted quality and a lingering orange liqueur element to the flavors of green fig and sweet spices. Closes long and brightly saline, with a nice spicy presence. A knockout, classically dry Zibibbo.

Ian D’agata

Bright straw. Intense gooseberry and peach on the nose and in the mouth. Very clean and fresh throughout, closing juicy and long. This is always one of Donnafugata’s most dependable wines; simple and accessible, it rarely lets one down, and makes great, uncomplicated drinking for the money. Recent vintages also strike me as having become more intensely fruity than in the recent past.

Ian D’agata

Luminous straw yellow. Fresh, crisp aromas and flavors of white peach, lime and aromatic herbs. Juicy and fresh, with lovely sugar acid balance and sneaky concentration and length. Outstanding Anthìlia that seems to have more stuffing than usual while retaining its trademark easy drinking, uncomplicated style.

Ian D’agata