Sicily’s Tasca d’Almerita’s Rosso del Conte is (along with Mastroberardino’s Taurasi) southern Italy’s greatest and most famous red wine. Besides showcasing the merits of the island’s Nero d’Avola grape, Rosso del Conte proves that Italy’s south can produce world class, age-worthy reds. Rosso del Conte was the first single vineyard wine ever produced in Sicily.

The Rosso Del Conte has a  distinguished track record that goes back to the 70’s. For most of its life the wine has predominantly consisted of Nero d’Avola with the addition of Perricone and like most important wines is only produced in great vintages. The wine is capable of ageing for 30 + years and is a cultured addition to any wine cellar.

2016 Tasca D’Almerita Tenuta Regaleali Rosso Del Conte – 96 Points Vinous Media. $164.95 per bottle *Magnum

“The 2016 Rosso del Conte lifts up with an intense and heady bouquet of sweet herbs and tobacco, which deepens as notes of exotic spice, medicinal cherry and hints of menthol form in the glass. It’s silky in texture, delivering a stunning mix of tart wild berries, salty minerals and sage that creates a pleasantly savory expression, as tannins slowly saturate toward the close. This tapers off structured and dry, nearly masking notes of blackberry and cacao that echo on through the finale. A towering and powerful vintage for Rosso del Conte, combining 53% Nero d’Avola and 47% Perricone, that will require cellaring to show its best.”

Picture: The Tasca Family.

January release.