$72.90
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Region: Sicily, Italy
Grapes: Nero d’Avola
First Glance: Spicy, Complex, Earthy, Red Fruit
Acclaim: 94pts
Lamoresca is a small producer in the southern province of Catania, where the hot Mediterranean climate is tempered by 450 meters altitude. Here, Fillipo Rizzo works with indigenous varieties, adhering to minimal-intervention practises in both vineyard and cellar.
Fillipo's take on Nero d'Avola is quite different from the mainstream interpretation of this grape. Nero d'Avola is often made as a black-fruited, rich and often overtly ripe wine. This is very different indeed, showcasing a fresher, sappy and more herbal-inflected side of the variety. From a 20 year old vineyard, 550 m above sea level, sandy soil. 2 months of maceration on the skins, aged in concrete tanks for 1 year, then 2 years in the bottle before release.
The Review:
94pts, Gary Walsh - The Wine Front
"It’s Nero, but maybe not as you know it. Spicy, almost mustard green or watercress, but also liquorice/aniseed, violets, earth, cherry and amaro. It’s fresh, sappy, an earthy grip to tannin, orange peel and spiced strawberry, so much zest and tang, but has the bass to go with it, and almonds. Fresh raspberry, dry and silty finish. Quite a wine. Classic Lamoresca feel, but different too. It’s a terrific wine. Fans of this producer should probably form an orderly queue."