2009 Occhipinti, Nero D’ Avola “Siccagno” IGT, Sicily (Italian Red)
The long wait for a new wine from Arianna Occhipinti is over and the 2009 Siccagno has arrived, it it was well worth the wait. The queen of the natural wine movement has graced us again with a brilliant wine that offers subtlety, grace and intrigue with the 2009 Nero D’ Avola which shows unique and fresh flavors that include lingonberry, duck fat and earthy truffle notes to go with bright blue and black fruits. While weightier that her Frappato and a bit darker in character Arianna’s Siccagno shows more delicate details than most Nero wines and highlights her gentle winemaking touch. The nose has a slight, but charming rustic edge before revealing dried flowers, herbs and lavender oil which leads to a palate of blueberry, briar, fennel and wild strawberry while hints of mineral and sage mingle in the back ground. This wine is a statement of purpose and clearly a wine that makes it’s own path and those that have followed Occhipinti will be thrilled by it.
($39 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive