Tasca d'Almerita

The winery Sallier de la Tour is since 2009 in the possession of the counts Tasca and thus the fifth enterprise, which complements and constitutes the variety and professionalism of the probably most famous winery of Sicily. Deep dark red, spices and a fine liquorice note in the nose. Impressive fruit and freshness on the palate, the discreet use of wood gives it concentration, backbone, velvety elegance and a good future. SUPERIORE.DE

"I love the spicy complexity to this nero d’avola, which is far from all about its boisterous cherries. Think tamarind, dried cumin and rosemary. Juicy and succulent on the full-bodied palate, where the tannins take on a soft, fleshy appeal, drawing in layers of exuberant blackberries and deeper accents of tar." James Suckling

Perfect Sicilian white wine with bestseller status: light and of excellent balance with very delicate acidity. straw yellowcolour, the aromas delicate and fruity, with light notes of apple and banana. Pleasant, clean taste reminiscent of ripe fruit. SUPERIORE.DE

"A pretty bouquet of peach skins, white flowers and hints of raw almond lifts up from the 2020 Bianco Regaleali. It's round and pliant in feel yet full of lively energy, with brisk acids enlivening its citrus-tinged orchard fruits. The harmony within from start to finish keeps you coming back to the glass for more, as this tapers off remarkably fresh and floral." Vinous

"Fresh pear, pineapple, papaya, lemon and white pepper on the nose. It's medium-bodied with tangy acidity and a delicious, juicy and tropical palate. Minerals and citrus to close." James Suckling

The classic among the Sicilian red wines - lively and fresh like the sunny island from which it comes. Bright ruby red in the glass, it spoils the nose with a beautifully fruity, deep bouquet. Clear currant notes and almost sweet fruit on the tongue, then on the palate the strong fruity body with silky tannins. A well-balanced Nero d'Avola that gives a lot of pleasure. SUPERIORE.DE

Ruby red colour, appealing, slightly reductive aroma of ripe blackberries and elderberries, quite dense on the palate, certain fruit sweetness, good harmony between acidity and tannin, traces of cassis in the elegant finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"A delicious, juicy nero d’avola with dried-cherry, berry and orange-peel aromas and flavors. It’s medium-to full-bodied with round tannins and a juicy finish. Tangy at the end, too." James Suckling

Buonsenso (formerly Antisa) already convinces visually with its bright straw yellow. Attractive bouquet of wild flowers, mint, peach and green melon. On the palate, a great acid wire is refreshing, rounded off by citrus fruit notes and a fine salty vein. SUPERIORE.DE

"Lemons, jasmine tea, spiced pears, anise and juniper berries on the nose. It's medium-bodied with bright acidity. Wild, zesty and spicy. Delicious finish." James Suckling

Cavallo delle Fate, made from the popular Grillo grape, brings much joy to the trendy dinner table with elegant floral and fruity scents, a well-integrated, never intrusive acidity and a pleasantly fresh taste. SUPERIORE.DE

"Aromas of honeysuckle, pears, melon, waxed lemon, herbs and stones. It's medium-to full-bodied with bright acidity and creamy, waxy layers. Concentrated and delicious. Complex layers of fruit with savory herb and mineral notes." James Suckling

Leone d'Almerita, a Sicilian cuvée of predominantly Catarratto and Chardonnay, shows beautiful fruit and fresh almond notes as well as a crisp, extremely clean taste with appealing length. SUPERIORE.DE

"Peaches, yellow plums, wild herbs and salted lemons on the nose. Crushed stones, too. It's medium-bodied with bright acidity and a textured, mineral palate. Flavorful finish." James Suckling

Nozze d'Oro is vinified from Inzolia and Sauvignon. Rich straw yellow with a hauntingfloral bouquet, plus notes of peach, exotic fruits and saffron. Then the harmonious taste, whose delightful substance is carried by a perfect acidity with a fine saline vein. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2018 Nozze d'Oro presents a slightly tropical display of mango, peach and lemon confit, along with hints of sweet smoke. It's silky, almost glyceral in feel, offset by a vibrant mix of sour melon, citrus and brisk acids. The cheeks pucker through the finale, which sizzles with mineral-derived tension as a note of green apple lingers on. The Nozze d'Oro is a contrasting blend of Ansonica and Sauvignon Blanc, which balance each other out quite nicely." Vinous

"A fresh, lemony white with some lemon-grass and white-pineapple undertones that follow through to a medium to full body, creamy texture and a flavorful finish." James Suckling

"Aromas of fragrant spring flower and white stone fruit with a delicate whiff of honey lift out of the glass. On the racy palate, vibrant acidity lends youthful tension to green melon, ginger and white pepper before a saline finish. Drink now, or hold for even more complexity." Wine Enthusiast

"A blend of two-thirds Inzolia with Sauvignon Tasca (a varietal selection cultivated at the Regaleali estate), this charming classic is light bright gold, with hints of lychees and citrus to the nose. The well-constructed palate offers saltiness and fine acidity, and the elegant bitterness of grapefruit on a long finish." Decanter

Ghiaia, a pure Nerello Mascalese from the slopes of Etna, exudes sweet aromas of cherries and flowers. A refined, very detailed and seductive wine with great charm, character and personality. SUPERIORE.DE

"Young vines on various sites. Red-fruited nose is delicate and floral, great charm. Concentrated and quite tannic, but has bright acidity that gives fine length and a poised finish." Decanter

Didyme, named after the ancient name of the island of Salina, is a pure Malvasia. Pale straw yellow. Bouquet of herbs, light flowers, apple and some nutmeg. Juicy fruit, carried by a beautiful, fresh acidity, in the powerful finish a mineral-salty note. SUPERIORE.DE

"Clear and bright straw yellow. In the nose delicately fragrant of pink peach, blood orange and dried lemon zest, in the aftertaste also minimal resinous notes. Very fresh and crystalline on the palate, slightly salty, medium length, crunchy fruit from front to back, salty again in the final." Falstaff

"Crisp, dry and thoroughly delicious, this fragrant white from the island of Salina opens with heady scents of yellow stone fruit, citrus, white rose and Mediterranean brush. Tangy and vibrant, the savory palate doles out yellow peach, apricot, Meyer lemon and briny notes of saline." Wine Enthusiast

With elegance and finesse, the golden yellow Diamante d'Almerita exudes its scent of citrus and lavender, while its taste is sweet and never overbearing. Very attractive dessert wine! SUPERIORE.DE

Il Tascante Nerello Mascalese embodies the weightless elegance and depth of Etna Terroir in a wonderful way. Striking floral and mineral notes and an expressive fruit in great harmony. SUPERIORE.DE

"Tascante's 2014 Sicilia Nerello Mascalese Il Tascante offers two distinct sides. On the one hand, it shows a lighthearted and delicate approach with wild berry, cassis and rose petal. On the other hand, the wine extends far beyond primary aromas to offer more complex layers of cola, brimstone and pencil shaving. There are light layers of balsam spice and leather as well. The finish closes with firm astringency that could use another year of bottle aging." Robert Parker

Intense golden yellow, on the nose notes of banana, pineapple, candied fruits and a hint of vanilla, cinnamon and white chocolate. Fruity on the palate, very rich and dense with a balanced acidity structure, tones of ripe fruit in the finish. A wonderful Sicilian Chardonnay that perfectly combines the refinement of the international grape variety with the charm of the Mediterranean climate. SUPERIORE.DE

"Beautiful cooked apple, dried peach and lemon with some praline on the nose and palate. Full-bodied with sliced apple, honey and pastry notes. Hints of minerals and walnuts. Slightly oily texture." James Suckling

"The 2018 Chardonnay Vigna San Francesco mixes both savory and sweet with a bouquet of sugar-dusted almonds and spice, giving way to a more refined display of dried flowers and ripe pear. It's deeply textural, fleshing out across the palate in silky waves, only to be reeled back in by a mix of brisk acids and citrus-tinged minerals. A salty tension resonates, along with notes of sour melon and green apple, further amplifying the 2018's youthful poise. Nearly a minute goes by while hints of custard and hazelnut linger on. This is a beautiful effort that will only get better after a few years in the cellar." Vinous

A wonderfully concentrated and elegant wine that is already drinking excellently. On the nose, the typical varietal bouquet with light balsamic notes. Pleasantly straight and fine on the palate, silky and full of harmony. SUPERIORE.DE

"A bouquet of black currants, minty herbs, tobacco and hints of camphor keeps you coming back to the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Vigna San Francesco over and over again. Its combination of velvety textures, ample weight, ripe black fruits and balancing acidity creates a harmonious impression of elegance. A coating of round tannin frames the experience, tapering off classically dry yet without slowing the 2017's momentum as it resonates on sweet violet florals and spice. There's so much pleasure to be found here already that it's hard to recommend cellaring, though a few years certainly won't hurt." Vinous

"A beautiful cabernet sauvignon with blackcurrants, blackberries, black olives and smoky oak. It's full-bodied, relatively chewy and intense with wonderful flavors at the end." James Suckling

Nero d'Avola and Cabernet Sauvignon - the creative experiment of Count Tasca d'Almerita. Cygnus is a young enchanting wine that smells of blackberries, cherries, vanilla and tobacco and has a wonderfully smooth, grapey-sweet taste. SUPERIORE.DE

"Lightly fruity with fresh blackcurrants, sage and thyme. Plenty of creme-de-cassis flavors are finely wrapped in succulent tannins on the medium-bodied palate, and that makes for attractive drinking now." James Suckling

Ruby red, with a fine cherry scent, in which there are also hints of nuts and forest fruits, vanilla, cinnamon, sage and tobacco. Concentrated, rich taste with harmonious tannins and long aftertaste. SUPERIORE.DE

"The venerated 2012 Sicilia Contea di Sclafani Rosso del Conte Tenuta Regaleali is a blend of 41% Nero d'Avola, 31% Perricone and the rest is a mix of various red grapes found on the Regaleali estate. Interestingly, past editions of this wine were reported as all Nero d'Avola but the blending formula seems to have gotten more complex with each passing vintage. This is a big boned wine with thick extraction and a long-lasting build. In fact, this bottle should go into the cellar for a few more years to better integrate and soften. The finish offers coffee, tar, licorice, dried fruit, blackberry preserves and much more. Rosso del Conte shows profound complexity." Robert Parker

Ruby red, with a fine cherry fragrance, in which there are also hints of nuts and forest fruits, vanilla, cinnamon, sage and tobacco. Concentrated, rich taste with harmonious tannins and long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"With this vintage, the grapes of Rosso del Conte were once again exclusively harvested in the vineyard San Lucio. Spicy and fresh nose with notes of berries and flowers, flanked by invigorating herbal and pepper aromas; well-balanced, perfectly integrated tannins, velvety and long. Of surprising finesse." Vinum

"Sparkling ruby. Crisp, appealing nose with notes of cardamom and bay leaf, then blackberry and blueberry. On the palate, dense tannins, lots of fresh fruit, spicy final." Falstaff

"This is the 39th edition of this iconic red wine from Sicily. The 2014 Sicilia Contea di Sclafani Rosso del Conte Tenuta Regaleali reveals large-scale intensity with a dark and concentrated core. The bouquet delivers black fruit, balsam herb, cola, grilled herb and black olive. The wine is already very open, expressive and beautiful at this young stage in its evolution. The wine ages in new barrique for 18 months." Robert Parker

"Deep ruby. Precise, enticing aromas of raspberry, graphite, chestnut, herbs and smoky minerality. Sweet on entry, then juicy and sharply chiseled in the middle, with an austere quality to the raspberry and floral flavors. Finishes sappy and mouthcoating, with penetrating acidity giving this youthfully smooth red a classic mouthfeel." Vinous

"This has a crazy nose with notes of dried bay leaf, Thai basil, sage and thyme. Beneath the herbs are red peppers, blackcurrants, crushed stones, violets and blueberries. The blue-fruit and fascinating, herbal flavors permeate through layered tannins and mineral acidity right up to the long, bright finish. Once again, this breaks the boundaries for nero d’avola." James Suckling

Ruby red, with a fine cherry fragrance, in which there are also hints of nuts and forest fruits, vanilla, cinnamon, sage and tobacco. Concentrated, rich flavour with harmonious tannins and a long, velvety final. SUPERIORE.DE

"lush, sparkling ruby with a slight violet tint. Multilayered nose, rich notes of ripe plums, some blueberries, in the background cedar and resin. Juicy and round on the palate, spreads out with strong, well-integrated tannin, describes a wide arch, firm pressure, long and firm." Falstaff

"Good dark red. Ripe, vibrant nose offers kirsch, coffee, chocolate and a whiff of black pepper. At once silky-sweet and tangy, with lovely inner-mouth perfume to the fine-grained red/black fruit flavors. Finishes broad, very smooth and long, with harmonious acidity and ripe tannins giving the wine solid structure for aging. A powerful but already approachable red that will have many fans." Vinous

"Complex and decadent aromas of dark berries, walnuts, licorice, and tar follow through to a full body with rich and ripe fruit and a soft and lightly velvety finish." James Suckling

Ruby red, with a fine cherry scent, in which there are also hints of nuts and wild berries, vanilla, cinnamon, sage and tobacco. Concentrated, rich flavour with harmonious tannins and a long, velvety final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, elegant ruby red. Restrained but balanced nose, appears multilayered although filigree. On the palate very juicy, dense, with clear fruit and tightly meshed enveloping tannin, shows elegant pressure, builds up in many layers, great length and finesse." Falstaff

"This is a really pretty Sicilian red with dried-cherry, smoke, walnut and mushroom aromas and flavors. The sour-cherry character kicks in at the finish." James Suckling

"The 2016 Rosso del Conte lifts up with an intense and heady bouquet of sweet herbs and tobacco, which deepens as notes of exotic spice, medicinal cherry and hints of menthol form in the glass. It's silky in texture, delivering a stunning mix of tart wild berries, salty minerals and sage that creates a pleasantly savory expression, as tannins slowly saturate toward the close. This tapers off structured and dry, nearly masking notes of blackberry and cacao that echo on through the finale. A towering and powerful vintage for Rosso del Conte that will require cellaring to show its best." Vinous

Tasca was involved in Etna at an early stage and the latest result of this long experience is four new single vineyard wines from the Tascante Winery: Contrada Rampante, Pianodario, Sciaranuova and Sciaranuova Vigna Vecchia (V.V.). The wines are filigree and deep, and despite their strength, acidity and taut tannins, they are very elegant, full of finesse and light-footed on the palate. Each of the four plots brings a slightly different style and personality to the wine, due to the altitude, soil and morphology of the historic lava flows. A high annual rainfall ensures that the soil has all the water reserves it needs, and the temperature fluctuations between day and night support the aromatic diversity of the grapes and ultimately their ripening potential.

The Contrada Rampante plot is situated at an average altitude of 740 metres above sea level between Solicchiata and Passopisciaro. It covers an area of just 4.6 hectares of vineyards. The soil is of volcanic origin and up to 15,000 years old. SUPERIORE.DE

"Palish ruby. At first a little closed, but with aeration opens up to quite a bit of concentration. Lots of sweet, red-fruit coulis then more minerally, with hints of spice and raw meat. Elegant palate of red fruit with firm, grainy tannins only tempered by long fruit aromas on the finish." Jancis Robinson

"Good medium red-ruby. Pure, deep aromas of cherry and spices on the youthfully reticent nose. In typical Rampante cru style, this is very big and rich in extract, but with harmonious acidity framing and intensifying the red fruit, herb, tobacco and spice flavors. Boasts impressive depth but will need time in bottle to display all of its considerable potential. Finishes chewy and very long, this is the largest-scaled of Tasca's Etna Rosso cru wines in 2016. Forget about this in your cellar for another four years at least." Vinous

"Made with vines planted at the dawn of the new millennium, the 2016 Etna Rosso Contrada Rampante comes from one of the best-performing parcels on the northern side of the volcano, where the topsoil (consisting of eroded volcanic stone and compacted ash) is a bit thicker and deeper compared to most other sites on the volcano. This allows for deep root systems and well-draining moisture. This wine shows a dark and compact nature with ripe fruit, dried blackberry, aniseed and camphor." Robert Parker

"Earthy, gamey and mushroomy nose providing interest alongside berry fruit. Gentle display of smoky red berries ending in a mineral finish." Decanter

Tasca got involved in Etna early on and the latest result of these years of experience are four new single vineyard wines from the Tascante estate: Contrada Rampante, Pianodario, Sciaranuova and Sciaranuova Vigna Vecchia (V.V.). The wines are delicate and profound, and despite their power, acidity and taut tannin, very elegant, finesse-rich and light-footed on the palate. Each of the four plots brings a slightly different style and personality to the wine - due to the altitude, soil composition and morphology of the historic lava flows. A high annual rainfall ensures that the soil has all the water it needs, and the temperature fluctuations between day and night support the aromatic diversity of the grapes and ultimately the ripening potential.

The Sciaranuova parcel is situated at an average altitude of 730 metres above sea level between the villages of Montelaguardia and Passopisciaro. It covers an area of about 4.9 hectares of vineyards. The soils are of volcanic origin and up to 40,000 years old. SUPERIORE.DE

"Just mid ruby and the most youthful looking of the four single-contrade wines of this vintage. Quite deep red-fruit nose with hints of bacon and a note of oak. This is the one that is the most obviously oaked. Wonderful succulent fruit with a bit of oak that supports rather than distracts. Serious grainy tannins and a little demanding and still a little rough, but extremely fine-perfumed fruit finish." Jancis Robinson

"Good full red. Deep musky, ripe red cherry and strawberry aromas are characterized by a mineral undertone. Then also mineral on entry, but turns just slightly tough in the middle and on the long back end that features similar flavors to the aromas. There's good sweetness here, and the stony nuances add further lightness of being to what is essentially a medium-bodied, easygoing red wine." Vinous

"Lovely nose of wild berry, autumn leaves and tar noted aroma. Crunchy red berry texture, grippy with soft woody notes." Decanter

"The 2016 Etna Rosso Contrada Sciaranuova is made with fruit from vines planted in 2008 at 730 meters above sea level. This is a classic expression from Etna with an even dose of wild berry, rose, mineral and spice. This wine shows an attractive level of balance and harmony, and I am especially attracted to those distinctive volcanic or mineral tones that frame this delicate, almost fragile wine. This Etna Rosso is mostly aged in large Slavonian oak casks, but a small part goes into 300-liter tonneaux. This adds a bit more volume and girth to the finish. Production is 5,000 bottles." Robert Parker

Tasca was involved in Etna at an early stage and the latest result of this many years of experience are four new single vineyard wines from the Tascante winery: Contrada Rampante, Pianodario, Sciaranuova and Sciaranuova Vigna Vecchia (V.V.). The wines are filigree and profound, and despite their strength, acidity and tight tannin very elegant, rich in finesse and light-footed on the palate. Each of the four plots brings a slightly different style and personality to the wine due to the altitude, soil and morphology of the historical lava flows. A high annual rainfall secures all water reserves for the soil, and the temperature fluctuations between day and night support the variety of aromas of the grapes and ultimately the ripening potential.

The Pianodario plot is situated at an average altitude of 775 metres above sea level between the hamlet of Montelaguardia and Randazzo. It covers an area of about 8 hectares of vineyards. The soils are of volcanic origin and up to 40,000 years old. SUPERIORE.DE

"One of three new single-vineyard wines introduced by Tasca's Tascante, the 2016 Etna Rosso Contrada Pianodario comes from the western-most parcel located between Montelaguardia and Randazzo. These are relatively new vines, planted in 2010, in soils representing various lava flows, the oldest in 1646 and the newest in 1981. This is a bright and accessible wine with pretty tones of wild berry and dried pomegranate followed by candied orange and pressed violets. It will no doubt be exciting to follow this wine as those vines get, proverbially speaking, older and wiser. Some 5,000 bottles were made." Robert Parker

Intense golden yellow, on the nose notes of banana, pineapple, candied fruits and a hint of vanilla, cinnamon and white chocolate. Fruity on the palate, very rich and dense with a balanced acidity structure, tones of ripe fruit in the finish. A wonderful Sicilian Chardonnay that perfectly combines the refinement of the international grape variety with the charm of the Mediterranean climate. SUPERIORE.DE

"Beautiful cooked apple, dried peach and lemon with some praline on the nose and palate. Full-bodied with sliced apple, honey and pastry notes. Hints of minerals and walnuts. Slightly oily texture." James Suckling

"The 2018 Chardonnay Vigna San Francesco mixes both savory and sweet with a bouquet of sugar-dusted almonds and spice, giving way to a more refined display of dried flowers and ripe pear. It's deeply textural, fleshing out across the palate in silky waves, only to be reeled back in by a mix of brisk acids and citrus-tinged minerals. A salty tension resonates, along with notes of sour melon and green apple, further amplifying the 2018's youthful poise. Nearly a minute goes by while hints of custard and hazelnut linger on. This is a beautiful effort that will only get better after a few years in the cellar." Vinous