Feudo Arancio Quèto Grillo 2024

Feudo Arancio Quèto Grillo 2024

  15:00    Stu.

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I've seen this Grillo a few tunes over the years, it's an intriguing wine of contrasts - pleasantly so - this 2024 rendition no different.

Aromatics are of citrus, florals, with almond husk in the frame too. The palate differs, with glimpses of stonefruit - coming after a dry entry. 

It's on a length of reasonable stature and lingering presence, leaving enough interest before pulling you back in for another sip. 92

Tasted on: Thursday 8th January

Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Diam
Website: https://www.singlevineyards.com/

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Feudo Arancio Rosso Riserva 2019

Feudo Arancio Rosso Riserva 2019

  08:00    Stu.

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Rich, chocolatey; whiffs of smoke over plum sauce.

Slick and glossy entry: plum fruit, bright prime and central to the theme of the wine. Falls off a bit through the final third, not quite matching the bright promise of the early primacy of fruit.

That said, still a fair throw of length here. 91

Tasted on: Sunday 28th July
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Cork
Sample Courtesy of: https://www.singlevineyards.com/

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Feudo Arancio Quèto Nero d'Avola 2021

Feudo Arancio Quèto Nero d'Avola 2021

  12:17    Stu.

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Baked raspberry, warm earth, chocolate mud cake vibes. That's not intended to make it sound simple, rather convey the comely aromatics that emanate.

Mid to full weight on the palate, touch of warmth, baking spices - palate presence building, the wine growing in stature. Fine grain of tannin set against the warming presence against the baked red fruit that re-emerges through the mid-final third. 91

Tasted on: Monday 9th October
Source: Sample
Price: $TBC
Alcohol:TBC
Closure: Cork
Sample Courtesy of: https://www.singlevineyards.com/

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Feudo Arancio Nero d'Avola 2021

Feudo Arancio Nero d'Avola 2021

  11:55    Stu.

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Classic Sicilian variety at a very friendly price.

Plum and kirsch notes with a herb and savoury edge.

The palate is supple, lithe, hints of baked raspberry across the palate. True tannin profile, with a roughish edge that gives grip across the final movement through the palate. 90

Tasted on: Saturday 24th June
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Sample courtesy of: https://www.singlevineyards.com/

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Feudo Arancio Riserva 2015

Feudo Arancio Riserva 2015

  08:30    Stu.

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Nero d'Avola, from the varieties home in Sicily. Of the finished wine, 30% is aged in steel to preserve the complex character of ripe red fruit, while the remaining 70% ages for 8-10 months in French oak barrels to soften the tannins and to add structure to this elegant wine. 

The components are then blended to age a little longer together, first in steel and then in the bottle for an additional 12 months.

Shy initially, a touch of oak char and woodsy spice set to black fruit. It's Plummy, mulberry like fruit set makes itself present across the palate. 

Tannin is fine, minerally and providing good carry. I'd suggest it needs protein to complement the tannin profile. Finish is moderate, touch of acidity for added freshness, feel and flow. 92 

Tasted on: Wednesday 6th May 
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Sample courtesy of: https://www.singlevineyards.com/

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Feudo Arancio Tinchité Rosé 2019

Feudo Arancio Tinchité Rosé 2019

  16:30    Stu.

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Delicate berry and floral nose, a subtle pot pourri, nothing overdone. 

A minerally acidic presence casts its shadow across the palate, drawing with it as it goes a chalky and light berry presence, as if flowing over crushed candies. Good crunch on a generous finish. 90

Tasted on: Tuesday 5th May
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: DIAM
Website: https://www.feudoarancio.it/

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Feudo Arancio Inzolia 2019

Feudo Arancio Inzolia 2019

  16:30    Stu.

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Citrus, stonefruit, and the kernel to boot! Fragrant, with an underlying minerally hint that adds a harder edge to softness of the fruit.

A more savoury edge, slight fruit tinge, touch of honey and citrus. Reminds more of something like Marsanne - certainly textural, as such.

Line of acid providing carriage of flavour, on a wicked length. 92 

Tasted on: Tuesday 5th May
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: DIAM
Website: https://www.feudoarancio.it/

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Feudo Arancio Nero d'Avola 2018

Feudo Arancio Nero d'Avola 2018

  08:30    Stu.

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In 2000 Gruppo Mezzacorona recognised the untapped potential of Sicily and invested in replanting and rebuilding two estates along the ventilated Southern coast of the island. A significant producer from the island.

I gave this a good decant prior. On pouring it's deep, dark, sullen - with woody spice adding to that. Somewhat like dipping into Grandpa's rolling baccy pouch whilst sitting in front of a log fire that crackles away. 

Touches of fennel add an aromatic lift; the palate is plush and nigh sensuous with a chewy tannin profile that you feel compelled to roll around the palate. It certainly carries a relaxing vibe to it; languid, unhurried. 91 

Tasted on: Monday 18th May
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.feudoarancio.it/en-gb
Sample Courtesy of: www.singlevineyards.com

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Feudo Arancio Accussi Extra Dry NV

Feudo Arancio Accussi Extra Dry NV

  16:30    Stu.

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It's 100% Sparkling Grillo from Sicily. Unsure what that should be like from a varietal perspective, yet it offers a generous serve of Stonefruit with a suggestion of almond paste imbued across the palate.

The palate shows a gentle bead, a delicate apple and pear flavour with a trickle of citrus. Whilst I know it originates from Sicily, I can certainly feel a Mediterranean vibe about it: Gentle waves crashing against a rocky shoreline, sending a fine saline spray into the air. Good aperitif style. 89 

Tasted on: Thursday 14th May
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: TBC
Closure: Cork
Website: https://www.feudoarancio.it/en-gb
Sample courtesy of: www.singlevineyards.com

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Feudo Arancio Grillo 2018

Feudo Arancio Grillo 2018

  13:00    Stu.

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Highly perfumed, exotically tropical, not what I'd necessarily expect - or associate - with a Sicilian white. 

Regardless, from a little extra reading, it's varietal. A riot of mango, luscious peach, yet for that fruit it retains an acidic presence to it, one that propels length further. Good wine. Generous, flavoursome. 91

Tasted on: Friday 17th May, a Flower day

Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Sample Courtesy of: www.singlevineyards.com

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Tenuta di Fessina Erse Etna DOC Nerello Mascalese 2014

Tenuta di Fessina Erse Etna DOC Nerello Mascalese 2014

  16:43    Stu.

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Erse is named after the Greek goddess of 'dew'. Smokey, dusky, with smouldering red fruit a lingering presence on the nose.

Light, lithe, possesses volcanicity - that sense of a wine that - to me - is airy like a pumice stone; fine texture, it opens up to reveal a loose and fine structure. 

Decent length, open and light. 91 

Tasted on: Sunday 31st July, a Flower day
Source: Retail, Cru Bar
Price: $52
Alcohol: ?
Closure: DIAM
Website: http://www.tenutadifessina.com/

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Occhipinti SP68 Bianco 2009

Occhipinti SP68 Bianco 2009

  15:56    Stu.

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Interesting to taste this so close to having tried the Brash Higgins Zibibbo - although this also contains some Albanello.

Arianna Occhipinti is the niece of Giusto Occhipinti, one-third of COS and whose 'Pithos' I wrote up here. It must be stated that Arianna is a grower and winemaker in her own right, having studied Oenology in Milan, though she does state her Uncle as an obvious inspiration.

Peach skin, stonefruit kernels, florals, hints of jasmine and beeswax. I detected a little underlying fresh herb here too. In short, fresh, floral and fragrant.

The palate shows hints of creme caramel cut with a little fresh citrus - mandarin segments. Carries a little phenolic raspiness too - the wine sees some skin contact, shown on both the palate and its colour. Deliciously dry - in fact just simply delicious. 92

You can read a little more about Arianna here.

Tasted on: Friday 28th February, a Root to Flower Day 
Source: Retail, Wine Experience
Price: $39.60
Alcohol: 11%
Closure: DIAM
Website: http://www.agricolaocchipinti.it/eng.html

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COS Pithos Rosso 2010

COS Pithos Rosso 2010

  11:40    Stu.

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COS (so named from of the initials of founders Giambattista Cilia, Giusto Occhipinti and Pinuccia Strano) is a Sicilian winery located in Vittoria, in the South-East corner of that island. Vittoria is also the location of Sicily's only DOCG 'Cerasuaolo di Vittoria' (where rules state that a mix of Nero d'Avola and Frappato must be used, with a minimum content of 50% and 30% respectively).

Well known for their adoption of clay amphorae as the primary fermentation vessel. Amphorae are not a recent winemaking tool, they have been in use in Georgia for thousands of years. There has been marked increase in their use - Australia included - where winemakers use the technique and vessel to seek softer tannins. Rather than oak tannin being extracted during fermentation, tannin within the wine is derived from extended contact with grape skins and seeds. But, as with many techniques, their use does require considered application.

To the wine in question. Exhibits characters as one might see in an aged wine: leathery, of dried twigs and dried vegetal matter. Softens as it opens up, suggestions of cherry and higher notes, hints of florals.

The palate is juicy, succulent cherry again present. There's an acidic thread coursing through the wine. The wine's vibrancy and juiciness forms the dominant element of the wine, yet latterly savoury notes of dried herb and gentle spice make themselves known. Yet, it must be said, against such savoury form, the wine possesses a lightness in the mouth.

Fine drying tannin, a gentle savoury line pulling a tug of fennel with it and good length see the wine reach its conclusion. 91

~

I paired this wine with some 'Italian' sausages that had been simmered in Sicilian cherry tomato sauce, the fennel aligning to similar notes within, the acid and juiciness working in combination with the sauce. Happy days, memories. 

Tasted on: Saturday 14th September 
Source: Retail, Cru Bar & Cellars
Price: $65
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Cork
Website: http://www.cosvittoria.it/english/default.htm

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Daino Suber 2009

Daino Suber 2009

  12:52    Stu.

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Intriguing blend of Nero d’Avola, Grenache and Frappato hailing from Sicily. Wears the calling card of its warm vintage with a little dried fruit character and of its place with a little earth, iron and sun-baked soil. With time, a little bakewell tart cherry comes through.

The palate shows a wine at odds with its aromatic intro: light and juicy, long and smooth – a silken cravat of a wine. Concludes with a long tail of fruit, such a joy to drink. 91 – Very Good

I'd really recommend you also have a look at their website, some stunning scenes.

Tasted on:Tuesday 9th April, a Root Day
Source:Retail, 1889 Enoteca
Price: $75
Alcohol:14.5%
Closure: Cork
Website: http://www.vinidaino.it/en

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Mandoleto Catarratto Sicilia 2011

Mandoleto Catarratto Sicilia 2011

  10:30    Stu.

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Lovely pale yellow colour, indicative of lemon scent within, further augmented by hints of tropical fruit, green pear and shell-accented mineral notes.

Touch of weight on the front palate, lemon and hints of cheese sit afront clean and crisp acids - touch of mineral here in the mouth too.

Clean and fresh, you instantly going for another pour on conclusion of that which went before it.  Calls gently for seafood as you relax on your terrace overlooking the coast.  89 - Good

Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://mandoleto.com.au/mandoleto

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Mandoleto Nero d'Avola 2011

Mandoleto Nero d'Avola 2011

  21:37    Stu.

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Initially quite elegantly perfumed: lavender and blueberry, before savoury charm takes over - hints of leather, bitumen and tobacco.

Savoury tannin, graphite-mineral character and black fruits completing the equation.  A good peak peak of lively acidity shows how versatile the wine is when paired with food.  Good finish, with a mix of acid, tannin and the aforementioned savoury charm.  89 - Good

Source: Sample
Price: $13-15
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://mandoleto.com.au/mandoleto

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