Valle dell'Acate Cerasuolo 2015

Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG Classico, Sicily, Italy

Vinous 92 points! Wine Advocate 89 points! James Suckling 91 points!

Valle dell'Acate Cerasuolo di Vittoria is a beautiful red wine gem from Sicily made from 60% Nero d'Avola and 40% Frappato. Valle dell'Acate has a long and storied history among the top estates in Sicily, as the Jacono family can trace back their winemaking roots here to the nineteenth century. It is located in the southeastern corner of Sicily, on the elegant Bidini Manor in the hills of the Dirillo Valley. The estate comprises over one hundred hectares of land, both for grapevines as well as Sicily's famous blood oranges. Under the direction of the current head of the family winery, the elegant Gaetana Jacono, many of the vineyards have been replanted to the great traditional grapes of Sicily, farmed organically.

Vinous 92 points: "Moderately saturated red. Musky, flinty aromas and flavors of red cherry, cherry skin, flowers and aromatic herbs; you can really smell and taste the Frappato. Rich and full, offering considerable minerality to its precise mouthfeel that finishes with round tannins, a hint of mint and very good length. A blend of 60% Nero d'Avola and 40% Frappato, but this utterly lovely, charming and very floral wine tastes like it has more than that."

Wine Advocate 89 points: "Made according to the classic blend of 60% Nero d'Avola and 40% Frappato, the 2015 Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico is a textbook interpretation from one of my favorite red wine appellations in Sicily. What I love about Cerasuolo di Vittoria is that it delivers some of the most accessible, elegant and food-friendly wines you can find in Sicily. This versatile wine offers bright berry and blueberry aromas with delicate spice and tar at the back. The bouquet on this vintage is slightly flatter compared to recent, cooler vintages that I scored a point or two higher. Some 80,000 bottles were made."

Enjoy Valle dell'Acate Cerasuolo di Vittoria with roast pork, grilled vegetables, lasagna, pizza and ripe cheeses.