Premi

“There’s always been debate over which international varieties blend best with Nero d’Avola and this wine proves that Cabernet Sauvignon makes an ideal partner. Earth and toasty with plum and prune, tobacco and dusty mineral tones, this is a spicy wine with tight tannins that drinks beautifully now.” – Monica Larner

“The 2004 Tancredi is a blend of 70% Nero d’Avola and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in French oak is endowed with notable warmth and richness in its fruit. Herb, chocolate and toasted oak nuances also come to the forefront, adding further complexity. The Cabernet is very much felt in the structure and density of the wine. All of the wine’s elements come together in an engaging and utterly satisfying glass of wine. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2016.” – Antonio Galloni

“Nero d’Avola (70%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (30%) complement themselves beautifully in this fresh, deeply concentrated wine from western Sicily. Tancredi’s sophisticated aromas include spice, blackberry and dried herbs. The wine has the elegance and complexity to stand up to elaborate meat dishes.” Monica Larner

“Bold blackcurrant – the 30% Cabernet Sauvignon in this blend certainly isn’t timid. Violets, black cherry, cedar, mint leaf. Firm structure but not aggressive – the equal of many a Médoc with a lingering mint and black fruit finish.” Richard Hemming

“This is a beautiful wine with slightly less intensity than the previous vintage. It does boast a soft, plush personality and round notes of sweet cherry and spice. Background aromas include chocolate, dark cola and clove. The wine’s finish is long and refreshing.” Monica Larner

“The 2005 Contessa Entellina Rosso Tancredi (70% Nero d’Avola, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon) is sweet and layered in its dark red fruits, grilled herbs, spices, earthiness, mint and minerals. The wine reveals superior density and richness, yet also needs a few years in bottle for the tannins to settle down. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2017. This is a very strong showing from Donnafugata and the Rallo family. The wines this year show notable balance and class.” – Antonio Galloni

“The estate’s 2006 Tancredi (Nero d’Avola, Cabernet Sauvignon) is powerful and tightly wound at this stage. With some coaxing, dark morello cherries emerge, followed by sweet scents of tobacco, dried roses, sage, spices and French oak. Firm tannins build on the powerful finish. Readers will need to be especially patient here, but all of the elements seem to be in place for this to develop nicely over the coming years. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2026. Cost: $40. This is a beautiful set of wines from Donnafugata, one of Sicily’s leading producers. Importer: Folio Fine Wine Partners, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 256-2700” – Antonio Galloni

“Tancredi is always a beautiful wine and this year’s expression (a 70-30 blend of Nero d’Avola and Cabernet Sauvignon) offers great aromatic intensity with soft tones of cherry, vanilla and exotic spice. It closes with good structure and polished tannins. Imported by Folio Fine Wine Partners.” Monica Larner

“Sattes, funkelndes Rubin. Beeindruckende, satte Nase, eröffnet mit reichen Noten nach Cassis, Zwetschgen und Brombeeren, unterlegt von feinem Sandelholz. Zeigt sich am Gaumen mit angenehm frischer Frucht, knackige Johannisbeere und Kirsche, im Finale griffiges Tannin, zeigt sich noch ganz jung.” Othmar Kiem

“Tancredi is a versatile, quality red wine that will content almost everyone. It opens with gorgeous aromas of chocolate and exotic spice, cherry and blackberry with Sicilian touches of toasted almond and pistachio.” Monica Larner

“Taglio di Nero d’Avola (in prevalenza) e Cabernet Sauvignon, si esprime con profumi balsamici, di piccola frutta rossa, tabacco e caffè. E’ morbido, avvolgente e ben equilibrato al palato in virtù del legno nobile e ben integrato.”

Cabernet Sauvignon, Nero d’Avola, Tannat, ‘and others’. Dark, concentrated ruby just beginning to show some orange on the rim. Pretty, leafy dark fruit nose. Lots of concentration but well balanced. Liquorice-like coating tannin. Quite dry. Could do with a bit more age. (WS)

“A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Nero d’Avola, Tannat and small percentages of other grapes, this shows Sicilian ripeness and bright fruit. It also reveals sophistication and complexity, with notes of spices and leather, plus dark chocolate richness.” Monica Larner

A much firmer wine, the Cabernet Sauvignon/Nero d’Avola based 2008 Tancredi shows serious muscle in its exotic red berries, white truffles, flowers, tobacco and incense. In 2008 the Tancredi is a serious wine loaded with personality, delineation and sheer character. Dark cherries, mocha, minerals and licorice are all woven into a deeply resonant fabric of impeccable class. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2023.

A much firmer wine, the Cabernet Sauvignon/Nero d’Avola based 2008 Tancredi shows serious muscle in its exotic red berries, white truffles, flowers, tobacco and incense. In 2008 the Tancredi is a serious wine loaded with personality, delineation and sheer character. Dark cherries, mocha, minerals and licorice are all woven into a deeply resonant fabric of impeccable class.”

A beam of pure black cherry and black licorice notes, framed by fine-grained tannins and mouthwatering acidity. Nero d’Avola with Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now throght 2024. Tasted twice with consistent notes.

Always irresistible and consistent year after year, the 2009 Tancredi delivers a high pleasure quota. The blend is Cabernet Sauvignon, Nero d’Avola, Tannat and other mixed varieties all aged up to 14 months in French oak. There’s a modern touch of dark chocolate followed by bold fruit intensity, blackberry preserves and sweet spice. Tancredi is built for immediate consumption, but the tannins in the 2009 are still a bit young and firm, so I suggest holding off from drinking it for one more year. Drink 2015-2023.