2014 Arianna Occhipinti, SP68, Nero d’ Avola/Frappato, IGT Rosso, Terre Siciliane, Italy.
It’s well known now that Arianna Occhipinti is a superstar and one of the leading lights of the “Natural Wine” movement, but it is worth mentioning that her wines are getting better and more complex with each vintage, and she has really turned out some special stuff in the 2014 vintage, especially this SP68 Rosso in particular, it is a full flavored joyful bottle of wine. The 2014 SP68 Rosso IGT Terre Siciliane is a blend of Nero d’ Avola and Frappato, similar to Cerasuolo di Vittoria, it is a darker version that in the past with a garnet/blue hue and packed rich transparent layers of vibrant fruit, as also with Arianna’s wines there is great detail, silky tannins, a sense of place and vivid acidity, this is impressive and easy to love. Arianna’s latest SP68 starts with a bouquet of red rose petals, sweet herbs, mineral spice and a mix of black, blue and red berries with black cherry leading the way on the palate with plum, cranberry, strawberry and juicy red peach adding depth of character along with slate/stones, fennel, blood orange, dried currant, red pepper and hints of earth, cedar and bramble. At first things are light and playful, but with air things get rather more serious and deep and the finish is very clear and lengthy with blackberry and mission fig lingering on, this is Arianna at her best and the alluring and enduring charm of her creations. The SP68 red is flexible and can be enjoyed young and with many cuisine options, I think it will be superb with Thanksgiving and or Christmas meals, it can be slightly chilled, Beaujolais style, spicy dishes, even some sea foods and it holds up to meat well too, drink from 2015 to 2020, at 13% it seems larger in scale to prior releases, but still showing her delicacy and it has a very Pinot Noir mouth feel, some of the best yet from Occhipinti, don’t miss.
($26 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive
