2011 Occhipinti, Siccagno, Nero d’ Avola IGT Rosso, Sicilia, Italy.
Arianna Occhipinti’s latest release is out, the new Siccagno Nero d’ Avola, and I’m sure her legions of fans will be racing to grab this new red up as soon as humanly possible, her last two offerings sold out extremely quickly and this looks to follow suit. Arianna is the queen of the new generation and of the natural wine movement, she has become one of the biggest stars in the wine world and her passion, hard work and charm drive her cult of personality, it is truly amazing to witness, she has brought a huge new following to the world of wine and excitement for wines and new terroirs. The results are something that we all should cherish and celebrate, I think it is well deserved and I’ve seen pure child like excitement from new wine drinkers not just here in California or New York, I have seen it while visiting a small town in Sweden, as I marveled the fact that Occhipinti was on the list at a remote little bar in Vaxjo, young hipster Swedes were enjoying Arianna’s SP68 Rosso. And now the 2011 Arianna Occhipinti Siccagno is out, it is everything her fans love, it is unique, a little funky, full of character and flavor, it is deliciously seductive. The Siccagno is all Nero d’ Avola, all organic, Arianna ferments with wild yeast and it spends a long time on the skins, almost 90 days, before aging in large neural Slovenian oak cask for about 16 months, then bottled unfined and unfiltered, with another 6 months of resting before release. This hand crafted, artisan wine is a Sicilian treasure, it shows a perfect play of sweet fruit and savory elements with pouched plum, loganberry, blueberry and spiced cherry fruits with balsamic and earthy notes, truffle, game and chalky minerals. The Siccagno is deep, but feels light on it’s feet, the tannins are super fine and many flavors come and go while in the glass with hints of anise, wild herbs, lavender and pepper, nutmeg along with cured meat, saline and toffee, but Arianna’s wines are all about fruit and pleasure and this one does not disappoint, drink now and for the next 3-5 years.
($36 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive
avail at www.sfwtc.com