Tasca d'Almerita

The Sallier de la Tour winery has been owned by the Tasca Counts since 2009, making it the fifth winery to add to the diversity and professionalism of what is arguably Sicily's most famous winery. At Sallier de la Tour, the focus is on the grape varieties Grillo, Inzolia, Syrah and Nero d'Avola.

Light yellow with green reflexes. In the bouquet orange zest, meadow flowers and notes of melon and herbs. Fresh and light at the palate, again fruity, a fine almond note joins. A classic for the light Mediterranean kitchen and the warm summer evening. SUPERIORE.DE

"Fragrant and refreshing, this has intense aromas of white spring flowers and tropical fruit. On the palate, tangy acidity accompanies passion fruit, honeydew and a dollop of vanilla before a green apple close." Wine Enthusiast

"A medium-bodied white with sliced apples, limes, green mangoes and a hint of cardamom. Bright acidity and a refreshing finish. Nice, waxy-lemon character." James Suckling

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

The Regaleali estate is home to countless lush roses from all over the world. This fragrant rosato is a tribute to the roses of Regaleali. Brilliant colour, fruity scent of strawberries, cherries and mulberries, rich and spicy taste, fresh, with some minerality and of pleasant sweetness. SUPERIORE.DE

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

The classic among Sicilian red wines - lively and fresh like the sunny island it comes from. Bright ruby red in the glass, it pampers 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, which 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

Tascas Perricone in bright ruby, with hints of red berries, blackberries, cherries and spices, tastes fresh and lively. In the final a fine minerality and a hint of nuts, very long and complex in the finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Bright straw yellow. Attractive bouquet of wild flowers, banana, peach and green melon. The palate is refreshed by a great acid wireein, rounded off by fruity notes and a fine salty note. SUPERIORE.DE

"This is very lively and thirst-quenching, offering lemon-rind and green-apple character with white pepper and fresh acidity. Medium body." James Suckling

"This delicious white shows the surprising potential of native grape Catarratto when grown and vinified with care and precision. Opening with delicate scents of spring blossom and grapefruit along with an inviting whiff of bread dough, the savory palate features white peach, green melon and a note of white almond. Crisp acidity and a tangy mineral note suggesting oyster shell give it a bright, mouthwatering close." Wine Enthusiast

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

Fragrance of lemon, white flowers and broken stone. Desire for more. Also in the mouth the southern drop of Etna is not disappointing. A lively acidity and a long mineral finish make this white wine a perfect food companion. Structural elegance and pure white class of Etna. SUPERIORE.DE

"A bright, pretty white with crushed lemon-rind, green-apple, almond and lemon aromas and flavors. It’s medium-bodied with attractive fruit and a long, lively finish." James Suckling

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

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 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

A wonderfully concentrated and elegant wine, which is already excellent to drink. In the nose the typical varietal bouquet with light balsamic notes. On the palate pleasantly straightforward and fine, silky and full of harmony. SUPERIORE.DE

"A firm, fresh red with currant and blackberry aromas and flavors, as well as hints of hazelnuts and walnuts. Polished and delicious. More elegant than past vintages." James Suckling

"Opening to a thick and impenetrable appearance, the 2016 Sicilia Cabernet Sauvignon Tenuta Regaleali Vigna San Francesco is a velvety and seductive wine that glides over the palate with elegance and power. Blackberry, plum and dark prune segue to spice, tobacco and tar. There is a touch of rosemary essence, but basically this well-ripened Cabernet Sauvignon doesn't register the distracting vegetal or pyrazine aromas that past (distant past) editions have shown. In fact, there is a touch of warm-vintage sweetness on the close." Robert Parker

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 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 forest fruits, vanilla, cinnamon, sage and tobacco. Concentrated, rich flavour with harmonious tannins and a long, velvety final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Powerful ruby violet. Very intense and appealing nose, of blackberries, blueberries and plum, some cinnamon. Crisp, present fruit, lots of blackberry, opens with grippy, very well integrated tannin, stretches wide, long finish with fresh fruit." 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

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