Benanti Etna Bianco 2014

Antonio Giuseppe and Salvino Benanti

Benanti Family At the end of the 1800's, Giuseppe Benanti, grandfather of Dr. Giuseppe Benanti, began the production of wines on one of his father's old farms on the slopes of Mount Etna, at Viagrande (Catania). In 1988, Giuseppe Benanti revived the family's old passion, with an extensive and selective study of theEtnean soils highly devoted to viticulture. He also investigated particular clones of indigenous vines and new oenological techniques to reproduce ancient fragrances using the most modern practices of vinification, in a perfect union of history and reality. From this five year study, wines of unique taste were produced recreating old flavors and keeping them intact over time. Our wines have a strong personality and carry the culture and passion for wine of the Benanti family, always driven by respect for the places, terroir and old "palmenti". This passion, after revealing the marvels of the Etnean territory, has guided them to Pantelleria and then Pachino.

Benanti Etna Bianco 2014   Dark straw-yellow. Stone fruits, herbs and wildflowers on the enticing nose. Then rich, dense and deep on the palate, with bright, juicy flavors of stone fruits, lemon and sweet botanical herb. The long, saline finish offers intriguing hints of rosemary, minerals and cardamom. 91 Points Vinous

Tenuta Rapitala Grillo 2015

Conte Laurent Bernard De La Gatinais_ President of Tenuta Rapitala

Rapitalà, "Beautiful Garden of God", lies between the towns of Camporeale and Alcamo, in the northwest corner of Sicily. In 1968 French count, Hugues Bernard de la Gatinais, married Gigi Guarrasi, a descendant of a great family from Palermo. With her, he engaged in a passionate and courageous adventure: the renovation of the cellars and vineyards of the Guarrasi family's Tenuta Rapitalà, an estate that had been destroyed by the Belice Valley earthquake of 1968. Count Hugues and his wife devoted themselves to the viticultural re-organization of the vineyards and it was at this point that he introduced French varietals to Sicilian terroir, a project never before taken-on by another Sicilian winemaking estate. In 1976, the first harvest destined for bottling was made, and Tenuta Rapitalà soon became a leader of the quality revolution in Sicilian enology. Today, the work started by Hugues and Gigi, is carried on by their son, Laurent, with the same care and passion.

Tenuta Rapitala Grillo 2015   Light golden yellow color with herbal, floral notes and citrus, followed by white fruits and mineral notes Light and crisp on the palate with a clean refreshing finish. Zingy & Juicy   Rapitala Grillo is an excellent choice with light pastas, vegetables, shellfish and grilled white meats.

Valle Dell'Acate IL Frappato Vittoria 2014

Vineyards in Vittoria_ Black Soil

Valle Dell'Acate The Ferrero and Jacono families have been involved in wine since the 19th century but it's fair to say that the wines of Valle dell'Acate have been totally transformed in the last seven or eight years. The Frappato is a very good example of this recent leap in quality: earthy and tired as recently as the first part of the 21st century, it is now a remarkably fresh and perfumed lightweight red that is an absolute joy to drink. The estate has also undertaken a huge zonation study of its holdings and has proceeded to carefully match each grape variety to its most ideally suited soils. The Cerasuolo diVittoria is also one of Sicily's benchmarks for this wine.   BLACK SOIL WITH WHITE PEBBLES: these vineyards are located at roughly 100 meters above sea level. The soil is black, relatively compact and riddled with white stones. The soil structure makes it possible for plant roots to oxygenate freely, extending down deep into the ground. The company produces a red wine here, Il Frappato, which draws complex perfumes and a decent acidity from the characteristics of the terrain.

Valle Dell'Acate IL Frappato Vittoria 2014   Bright red. A fresh red fruit cocktail quality on the nose is utterly irresistible. Then quite spicy and floral on the palate, with juicy red berry and cherry flavors showing insidious sweetness; I found it hard to put my glass down. Finishes clean and long, with a bright floral echo. A stellar Frappato, a variety Valle dell'Acate has excelled with in the last ten years. 92 Points Vinous I am a big fan of frappato, especially served cold. This is an excellent one. Medium body, bright acidity and a strawberry and lemon undertone. Drink now. 92 Points James Suckling Fragrant and fresh, this luminous wine opens with aromas of red berry, blueberry, violet, white rose and a potpourri of spice while the savory palate doles out crushed raspberry, juicy morello cherry and white pepper. It's easy drinking, thanks to tangy acidity and light, silky tannins. Chill it down for a perfect summer red. 91 Points Wine Enthusiast Magazine, March 2016