Having spent two weeks in Sicily in May very little wine was consumed. My agenda was tourism this time and not wine tourism.
The best wine I had in Sicily? Small batch Primitivo produced in the countryside proximate to the archaeological site of Villa Romana del Casale served with lunch in large jugs sourced from demijohns. As one of the world’s humblest and respected wine writers I was given a 1.5 litre water bottle filled with it with accompanying advice to drink within a few days unless kept chilled which would extend its life. Organic without being labelled organic from a fancy bottle. I have had similar wines from roadside stands in Tuscany and on farms in the Azores.
Well, no Sicilian wine in water bottles now that I have returned to Toronto. Back to bottled wine. Sigh!
This wine is from Planeta one of Sicily’s most globally respected wineries. The wine is Sicilia Noto DOC. The DOC was established in 1986. 85% Nero d’Avola and 15% Merlot. Lime marl soil with small amounts of light-coloured chalk. Grown at 50-70 meters above sea level. Aged 12 months in 4th and 5th usage Allier oak. Certified sustainable winery.
Aroma: Raspberry, cactus pear, milk chocolate and a touch of prune.
Palate: Raspberry, bright red cherry and ripe strawberry. Oak way in the back of the hall barely perceptible. Mounting tannins yet not a tannic wine. Spicy and moderately long finish with a Mini-ME sweetness. And yes there is Merlot in this wine softening it somewhat!
Personality: Serious and even tempered.
Food Match: Sicilian Caponata, Sicilian farm sausage and fried potatoes.
Cellarbility: Interesting evolution through to 2030.
Price: $25 CDN.
RKS 2025 Wine Rating: 91/100. Wine Spectator 90.
(Planeta 2020 Controdanza, Sicilia Noto DOC, Menfi, Italy, 750 mL,14%).
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