SICILIAN GEMS

The Whitaker Foundation entrusted Tasca D’Almerita in 2007 with a project to promote and restore the historic vineyards of Grillo, they have been taking care of 12 hectares of vineyards on Mozia, a tiny island in front of the Marsala Saltpans on the west coast of Sicily, bringing the “Wine of the Phoenicians” back to life.

2020 Tasca Conti d’Almerita • Sicilia Grillo – Mozia Fondazione Whitaker  92 Points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. $39.95 est

“Winemaking on the tiny Phoenician island of Mozia is guided by the Tasca family and the Whitaker Foundation. Their 2020 Sicilia Grillo Mozia Fondazione Whitaker shows some additional fruit weight and concentration in this vintage, with lots of peach, honey and stone fruit. The vineyards are located on a tiny island with salt flats nearby, and the influence of both – the sea and the salt – play heavily on the wine’s playlist.”

The Tenuta Sallier de la Tour is located just outside the bustling Sicilian capital of Palermo, in the Alto Belice area at the heart of the Monreale DOC. It was owned by the Sallier de la Tour family, Princes of Camporeale, since the mid-19th century. The sprawling estate has vineyards, olive groves and three lakes among its rolling hills. In 2009, it became part of the Tasca d’Almerita ecosystem. It aspires to present the highest standard for sustainably-farmed Sicilian Syrah.

2018 Tenuta Sallier de la Tour • Monreale Syrah La Monaca – 93 Points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. $44.95 est

“Showing dark plum, ripe fruit, charred meat and scorched earth, the Tenuta Sallier de la Tour 2018 Monreale Syrah La Monaca is a perfect match of grape and territory. Syrah loves a hot climate, and Sicily loves Syrah. This is a robust and powerful expression of the grape that has absorbed much of the Sicilian sun, yet it remains elegantly mid-weight and contained throughout. This would be great with some grilled lamb sausage.”

Late Feb release.