2012 Arianna Occhipinti, Il Frappato DOC, Sicilia, Italy.
The new Occhipinti’s are fabulous wines, some of the best yet from the captivating Arianna Occhipinti, the face of the natural wine movement and one of the most interesting characters in the wine world. The 2012 Il Frappato is super fresh, bright and full of the fruity quality Arianna’s fans adore, this is delicious stuff. Pure and juicy with a light ruby color and a mix of fruit flavors including wild strawberry, lingonberry, mulberry and framboise along with hints of lavender, basil, wet gravel and a touch of candied orange rind. This clear and transparent wine shows the loving touch and playfulness of Occhipinti’s style, but the lingering finish appeals to even hardcore Burgundy fans, it is wonderfully balanced with silky tannins and lifting acidity all in a stylish medium weight wine, drink from 2014 to 2018. Look for added layers, and some earthy evolution and density to develop over the next year or so in bottle, be sure to cellar carefully to elicit the best rewards from this delicate wine, Frappato is a gentle and charming grape and Arianna Occhipinti is one of it’s great champions, don’t miss her latest release.
($40 Est.) 93+ Points, grapelive
avail at www.sfwtc.com ($39.95)