“Italy, Sicily: Class of 2014” – Monica Larner

 

MORGANTE Don Antonio Nero d’Avola Riserva Sicilia 2012 – 92 points

“Previously an IGT wine, Morgante’s Don Antonio is now a Sicilia DOC. The 2012 Sicilia Nero d’Avola Don Antonio offers one of the most beautiful and complete portraits of this promising indigenous grape from southern Italy. This is an elaborate wine with a strong oak imprint that has done much to soften and smooth out any of the grape’s rough edges. The bouquet reveals dark fruit, spice, tobacco and wet earth or terra-cotta. The wine’s concentration is bold and richly layered.”

 

MORGANTE Nero d’Avola Sicilia 2013 – 89 points

“Morgante boasts a steady track record for honest and genuine expressions of Sicily’s most important red grape. The refreshing 2013 Sicilia Nero d’Avola offers harmony and richness in what is ultimately an informal and food-friendly ensemble. The bouquet is very characteristic of the grape with dark cherry and berry aromas backed by hints of toasted almond, pistachio nut and wild dill.”

 

MORGANTE Bianco di Morgante Sicilia 2014 – 88 points

“The 2014 Bianco di Morgante is a pure expression of Nero d’Avola (a red grape) that has been fermented off the skins to produce a white wine. The aromas presented here are hard to pin down but you do get peach, citrus and chopped pine nut. In the mouth, this white wine offers crisp acidity and an easy approach with freshness and sharp contours.”