James Suckling tasting notes Sicilia and Campania

GIROLAMO RUSSO ETNA ROSSO FEUDO DI MEZZO 2014

Score 95

The nose here is very vivid with cherries, ginger and Provençal herbs. The palate is really flavorful and delicious, showcasing blueberry flavors and a creamy minerally edge to boot. Beautiful wine from Girolamo Russo’s top contrada. Drink now.

LE MASCIARE TAURASI 2010

Score 94

Wow. This is really fantastic with pepper, walnut, plum and balsamic-vinegar character. Full body, round tannins and a fresh and polished finish. Drink now.

GIROLAMO RUSSO ETNA ROSSO A RINA 2014

Score 94

Extremely floral and delicately fruity. An Etna red with focus and precision. Medium to full body, refined tannins and a bright and fruity finish. Serious and linear. Drink in 2018.

GRACI ETNA ROSSO FEUDO DI MEZZO 2014

Score 93

Aromas of ripe raspberries and cherries with hints of citrus. Full body, chewy tannins and a nice backbone of fruit and acidity on the finish. A structured and rich wine for the vintage. Better in 2018.

GRACI SICILIA BARBABECCHI QUOTA 1000 2013

Score 93

Aromas of strawberries and orange peel follow through to a full to medium body, firm tannins and a racy and refined finish. Drink now, but this shows lovely balance and length for aging.

GRACI ETNA BIANCO ARCURÌA 2014

Score 93

Aromas of licorice, aniseed and tar with citrus fruit. Full body, bright acidity and a tangy finish. Very pretty and stylish. Drink now.

MASSERIA DEL FEUDO CHARDONNAY SICILIA HAERMOSA 2014

Score 93

A solid white with such depth and beauty. Love the deep, full-bodied center palate of lightly cooked apples and cream. Creamy and round texture. It goes on for minutes. Superb. Drink now.

PAOLO CALÍ CERASUOLO DI VITTORIA CLASSICO FORFICE 2012

Score 93

Aromas of berries, coffee, cedar and chocolate follow through to a full body, chewy tannins and a savory finish. Better in 2019.

GIROLAMO RUSSO ETNA ROSSO SAN LORENZO 2014

Score 93

A bright and fruity red with beautiful strawberry and raspberry character. Aromatic. Full-bodied, tight and tannic. Chewy. Lots going on here. Needs two or three years to soften. Better in 2018.

GIROLAMO RUSSO ETNA ROSSO FEUDO 2014

Score 93

Lots of dried berries and hints of milk chocolate. Medium to full body, round and silky tannins and a flavorful finish. Drink now. Why wait?

GIROLAMO RUSSO ETNA BIANCO NERINA 2015

Score 92

A pretty wine with dried exotic fruits such as star fruit as well as citrus undertones. Medium body but plenty of fruit. Drink now.

PAOLO CALÍ GRILLO TERRE SICILIANE BLUES 2015

Score 92

A white with dried lemons and pineapple skin. Very tangy and vivid. Full body, lots of fruit and a flavorful finish. Drink now.

PAOLO CALÍ TERRE SICILIANE JAZZ 2015

Score 92

Plenty of dried berries and hints of chocolate on the nose and palate. Medium body, light and soft tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Drink now.

LE MASCIARE FIANO DI AVELLINO 2015

Score 91

Cool aromas of almonds and dried fruits such as peaches and aniseed. Medium to full body, an oily texture and lots of pineapple and cooked-apple flavors. Fascinating. Drink now.

GRACI ETNA BIANCO 2015

Score 91

Aromas of green apple skin, pears and minerals. Medium-to full-bodied palate defined by light almond, honey and sliced-apple character. Flavorful finish. Drink now.

MASSERIA DEL FEUDO GRILLO SICILIA 2015

Score 91

A white with pretty energy and intensity. Full body, lots of fruit and enduring freshness. So long and flavorful. Fun. Drink now.

MASSERIA DEL FEUDO NERO D’AVOLA SICILIA 2015

Score 91

Aromas of smoke, dried meat and dark cherries. Full to medium body, firm and velvety tannins and a silky finish. Drink now.

MASSERIA DEL FEUDO NERO D’AVOLA SICILIA ROSSO DELLE ROSE 2014

Score 91

Bright and fruity style with lots of cherries and florals. Vivid. Medium body, lovely fruit and a tangy finish. Drink now.

TENUTA GATTI TERRE SICILIANE SICÉ 2012

Score 91

Aromas of blueberries and hints of roses. Medium to full body, tangy fruit and lots of berry and orange-peel character. Fresh with lots of citrus undertones. Drink now.

LE MASCIARE GRECO DI TUFO 2015

Score 90

A white with lots of rich fruit and a cooked-pear character. Full-bodied, layered and flavorful. A little rustic but very interesting to taste. Drink now.

TENUTA GATTI MAMERTINO CATALINA 2015

Score 90

Dense style of white with sliced fruits and hints of cream. Medium to full body, bright acidity and a flavorful finish. A blend of inzolia and grillo. Drink now.

MASSERIA DEL FEUDO INZOLIA SICILIA IL GIGLIO 2015

Score 90

A very attractive inzolia with intense lemon and mineral character. Just a hint of saltiness. Medium-bodied, crisp and clean. Drink now.

GIROLAMO RUSSO ETNA ROSATO 2015

Score 90

Very lively and fresh with stone, sliced-apple, watermelon and peach character. Medium body and a crisp aftertaste. Drink now.

PAOLO CALÍ CERASUOLO DI VITTORIA CLASSICO MANENE 2014

Score 90

A firm and silky red with dried strawberries and citrus fruit. Medium body and a minerally aftertaste. Some hot-stone undertones. Drink now.

PAOLO CALÌ FRAPPATO ROSATO TERRE SICILIANE OSA! 2015

Score 90

Fresh watermelon and lemon aromas. Medium to full body, lovely acidity and a fruity finish. White-pepper undertones. Drink now.

MASSERIA DEL FEUDO SYRAH SICILIA IL GIGLIO 2015

Score 90

This wine exhibits a beautiful nose of redcurrants, green pepper, garrigue and incense undertones. Light-bodied with delicate red fruit and great freshness on the palate. Drink now.