Gulfi

Valcanzjria is a cuvée of Chardonnay, Carricante and Albanello. It smells of white flowers and limes with a fine fresh-oxidative note, full-bodied and yet fresh on the palate. The attentive taster will find traces of flint typical of the terroir. SUPERIORE.DE

Wonderful entry into the Gulfi world: precise aromas of red sour cherries, stone minerals and aromatic herbs. Fresh and juicy, with a delicate spicy note and a refreshing aftertaste in the long finish. A lovely, almost weightless red wine with a convincing fruit component and wonderful drinking flow. SUPERIORE.DE

An exceptionally characterful and powerful Cerasuolo di Vittoria made of equal parts Frappato and Nero d'Avola. The nose shows a pure bouquet of sweet violets, black cherries and hints of wet stone. It impresses with its silky texture that coats the palate with bright red and blue fruits, along with a refreshing wave of juicy acidity. Hints of spiced oranges and inner flowers linger long on the well-structured, long final. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2020 Cerasuolo di Vittoria is dusty and floral in character, with a mix of blackberries, violets and lavender emanating from the glass. This soothes the palate with soft textures that usher in a pretty mix of red berries, minerals and spice. The slightest tannic pinch lingers through the finale, along with hints of licorice. This lovely expression will find its best expression at the dinner table." Vinous

True to the house style, Nerojbleo offers a generous load of ripe fruit with maraschino cherry and blackberry jam at the centre. Its texture is dense, soft and carried by a slight sweetness. A juice and power package with a nice drinking flow and a typical Gulfi interpretation of the grape variety. SUPERIORE.DE

Deep ruby red. Intense scent of raspberry, red cherry, violets and spices. Sweet, spicy and yet light on its feet, it convinces with a great inner energy that gives the red fruits, herbs and mineral flavours an impressive expression. In the never-ending finish, Nerobaronj shows itself vibrant and with distinctive tannin, which gives additional emphasis. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2018 NeroBaronj is brooding in the glass, smoldering up with a darkly alluring bouquet of crushed ashen stones, brown spice and rich plum sauce. This takes a turn toward purity on the palate, lifted and feminine in feel, with pretty red fruits and inner rose tones that cascade throughout. It leaves a staining of primary concentration, while tapering off fresh and only lightly structured with a hint of licorice that lingers." Vinous

The Carjcanti from our own vineyards on Etna deserves applause. Yellow, with green reflections. The bouquet is reminiscent of apple, pineapple, brown butter and cinnamon, rounded off by flint and roar. Taut on the palate with Carricante-typical mineral acidity, then fruit from the orchard and herbal notes. Very fresh, aromatic and long with great ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

Sweet cherries, dried flowers, liquorice and spices on the nose. The elegant style continues on the palate with silky tannin and restraint in all components. A medium-bodied, prancing red with all the "Burgundian" advantages of the volcanic terroir from Etna. SUPERIORE.DE

"Made with organic fruit, the Gulfi 2016 Etna Rosso Reseca is 100% Nerello Mascalese drawn from a 1.5-hectare vineyard located at a steep 800 meters above sea level on the blackened cone of the volcano. The wine delivers both power and grace, or the two contrasting qualities that define the great wines of Etna. This vintage reveals intact primary intensity and doesn't immediately show the age of this late-release Etna red. Indeed, the classic 2016 vintage is rather timeless in that way. That fresh fruit should carry this wine easily up to the 10-year mark and probably beyond." Robert Parker

"At once fragrant and savory, with sour-cherry and redcurrant fruit, this generous and fresh Etna red has a solid base of healthy tannins that have just softened to the point where it gives a lot of pleasure. Interesting interplay of delicate coffee and mineral at the very satisfying finish. This has many years ahead of it." James Suckling

Dark colour, beautiful bouquet of Mediterranean herbs and balsamic notes, ripe, fruity morello cherry, rich in silky tannins, the magnificent Nero d'Avola site wine Neromaccarj. SUPERIORE.DE

"Aged for two years in tonneaux, the Gulfi 2017 NeroMàccarj (made with organic fruit) shows rich intensity and lots of aromatic power despite the wine's contained fruit weight. Like other Sicilian reds from the hot and dry 2017 vintage, there is ample sweetness here and plenty of the fleshy, ripe fruit that characterizes this vintage. The NeroMàccarj is Nero d'Avola from a 2.5-hectare site with a mix of calcareous clay soils that allow for even fruit ripening." Robert Parker

"Dark depths of rich black fruit, stone dust, sage, lavender and brown spice make up the bouquet of the 2017 NeroMaccarj. This balances sultry sex appeal with elegance from start to finish. Its textures are silky-smooth, complemented by ripe plums and currants, yet with a building salty tension as acids and minerals mix with hints of sour citrus. It cleans up beautifully through the finale, where framing tannins add a classically dry sensation under an air of violet flowers. Give this enticing Nero d'Avola another year or two of cellaring for the best results." Vinous

"Sweet-berry and cinnamon aromas follow through to a medium body with light yet fine tannins and a bright, fresh finish. From organically grown grapes. Really delicious now, but will improve with age." James Suckling

Nerobafaleffj is a very unusual wine for Sicily. It offers an aromatic intensity not found anywhere else in southern Italy. The bouquet is explosive with powerful cherries, dried blackberries, tobacco and spices. Subtle hints of cinnamon and crushed clove. An exotic red of high concentration and power with a wonderfully complex, long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2017 NeroBufaleffj offers medium-dark concentration and lots of aromatic intensity that closely reflects the varietal purity of this wine. Black cherry and dried blackberry segue to spice, scorched earth and roasted eggplant. This was a hot vintage, but the wine's fruit definition remains crisp and linear nonetheless. NeroBufaleffj is born on a three-hectare site with a unique mix of black clay, white limestone and reddish sandy soils. These unique conditions shape this wine's special identity. It's a good occasion to crack out a very Sicilian recipe of stuffed pork ribs, or costate di maiale ripiene." Robert Parker

"Ripe berries and hazelnuts on the nose with some mushrooms and dried flowers, as well as cedar and mahogany. Full-bodied with layers of ripe fruit and a sour-cherry element at the finish. Juicy and delicious." James Suckling

"Dark depths of rich black fruit, stone dust, sage, lavender and brown spice make up the bouquet of the 2017 NeroMaccarj. This balances sultry sex appeal with elegance from start to finish. Its textures are silky-smooth, complemented by ripe plums and currants, yet with a building salty tension as acids and minerals mix with hints of sour citrus. It cleans up beautifully through the finale, where framing tannins add a classically dry sensation under an air of violet flowers. Give this enticing Nero d'Avola another year or two of cellaring for the best results." Vinous

Precise aromas of ripe red cherries, flint, orange peel, lavender and violets. Silky and juicy on the palate, with a refined but very concentrated extract that almost crushes the taste buds, yet remains lively and not at all heavy, giving beautiful definition and lift to the red cherry, raspberry, floral and mineral flavours. The finish is very deep and long, with very soft tannins, a beguiling perfume and extreme finesse; very Barolo-like. A beautiful, complex wine that shows the elegant side of Nero d'Avola that few producers are ever able to present. SUPERIORE.DE

"The organic Gulfi 2017 NeroSanloré is packed dense at its core and offers a very true portrait of the Sicilian grape from a hot vintage. There is a lot of extra ripeness that is delivered amply across the wine's dark fruit flavors and its soft textural richness. Nero d'Avola is planted across three hectares in reddish sandy soils. Like other wines from this vintage, it delivers a front-loaded effect. In other words, you get a great deal of ripeness and aromatic intensity on first inspection, but the wine is ultimately milder and shorter in terms of finish. However you look at it, this is a versatile, fruit-forward Sicilian red." Robert Parker

"Old tile and ripe berry with some flowers and nuts. Just a hint of dried fruit. Full-bodied with round, succulent tannins and a juicy and tangy finish." James Suckling

"The 2017 NeroSanlorè is the dusty, spicy and elegant beauty of the Gulfi Nero d’Avola range. The bouquet presents a beguiling mix of crushed stone, roses, incense and tart cherries. It’s soft and almost weightless in feel, hovering across the palate with a refined display of red berries and inner florals. A subtle coating of tannin lingers, but does not get in the way as this finishes with sweet minerals and hints of tangerine. Give the Sanlorè a year or two to come further into focus and flesh out a bit more. From the Gulfi crus, this is the vineyard closest to the sea, less than 700 meters away, and at only 10–15 meters above sea level, with vines growing in sandy soils. It is simply stunning." Vinous

Gulfi's top Pinò is a pure expression of Pinot Nero from Etna. When the Etna appellation began its rise about ten years ago, many producers committed themselves to growing the Burgundian grape variety on the charred slopes of this mighty volcano. Significant plantings of Pinot Nero never occurred, however, as many winemakers opted instead for the autochthonous Nerello Mascalese grape variety. Gulfi remains faithful to Pinot Nero on Etna, the grapes for Pinò come from 800 metres above sea level on the northern slope of the volcano.

It opens with a dark saturated colour and heavy aromas of dried cherries and cassis, plus a hint of floral notes. Its mouthfeel is polished and fresh, on the palate Pinò shows all the characteristics of a lean, compact but very intense wine that has plenty of tension and energy. Its slightly bitter note, a combination of cherry pits and sour citrus fruits, lasts until the tense final. Ultimately, this wine is more an expression of the Etna than the grape variety, its proud yet joyful personality making it irresistible. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2016 Pinò, or Pinot Noir, is much darker in the glass that you might anticipate. It delivers masses of ripe black cherries and sweet autumnal spice, all engulfed in an air of crushed-stone minerality. The textures are silky, cast upon a medium-bodied frame, with tart cherry and balsam herbs energized by brisk acidity. Notes of licorice and rich plum sauce linger as this tapers off with a delicate feel. The Pinò hails from the northern slope of Etna, with vines planted in 2008 at 800 meters of elevation." Vinous

"An excellent pinot noir from Sicily? Yes! The wild-strawberry and sour-cherry nose pulls you into this ripe yet elegant red that's very silky, in spite of the healthy tannins that anchor it at the deep, dark finish. Plenty of life ahead of it!" James Suckling

"The organic Gulfi 2016 Pinò gives us a good look at Pinot Noir cultivated on the volcanic soils of Etna at an impressive 850 meters above sea level where solar luminosity is aplenty but average temperatures are cooler. With a restrained 13% alcohol content, this wine delivers elegant and lean fruit weight with steady aromas of cassis, wild cherry and summer rose. The wine's overall personality remains subdued and true to the grape with plenty of fresh berry fruit spread over a lean and crisp mouthfeel. The results are terrific in this 3,000-bottle release that should hold firm to the 10-year mark and beyond. Despite these extreme growing conditions, this wine remains elegant and pure." Robert Parker