Zisola

Zisola, from the eponymous winery of the Mazzei family in Sicily, is an exceptionally well-made single-varietal Nero d'Avola. Elegantly shining ruby red with a gently lightening rim. In the flattering fruit bouquet, ripe forest berries and rose hips, lightly reminiscent of blood orange with a hint of cocoa. Juicy and clear on the palate with hearty red fruit, powerful and soft on the final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red with a slightly lightening rim. The nose smells of ripe forest berries, cherries, orange zest in the aftertaste and a hint of fine spice. Juicy and fruity on the palate, spreads with tension, the tannins are well integrated, long, gripping final." Falstaff

"An elegant red, expressive and well-knit, offering a fresh and juicy profile of crushed black cherry and wild strawberry, dried sage and espresso. Medium-bodied, with creamy tannins and a subtle, minerally streak of smoke and spice that lingers on the finish." Wine Spectator

"The 2020 Rosso Noto is impossible to ignore, with its bouquet that contrasts vivid blackberry and sage with a spritz of tangerine and, finally, a whiff of exotic spice. This is elegant while remaining lifted and energetic in feel, displaying tart wild berry fruits offset by citrus-tinged acidity that maintains marvelous freshness. It tapers off long and perfumed, cascading violet and rose tones, along with a bitter twang toward the close. It’s worth noting that the integration of fruit to wood is expertly managed." Vinous

"Lots of flowers and fresh herbs, such as sage and Sicilian rosemary, to the plummy fruit, following through to a medium body with round tannins and a savory finish that’s soft and flavorful." James Suckling

The new red from Zisola is a 100% Syrah in radiant ruby violet. Spicy bouquet with notes of black cherry, cassis, undergrowth and foliage. Juicy, engaging and balsamic on the palate, with prominent tannins and interesting acidity. Subtle hints of cocoa and smoked bacon on the long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Strong ruby red. In the nose of lush raspberries and wild berries, delicate plum, minimal pepper spice, a hint of milk chocolate in the aftertaste. On the palate dense and with grip, juicy and clear on the tongue, exciting course, lingers long." Falstaff

"A relatively new wine, the Zisola 2017 Sicilia Achilles is a pure expression of Syrah. This grape normally delivers especially rich and abundant wines from Sicily; however, this bottle holds back a bit in terms of intensity and concentration. The results are solidly mid-weight, and the wine reveals easy perfumes of dark cherry, cassis, spice and earthy leather. This vintage shows extra roundness and a supple quality to the fruit." Robert Parker

"The 2017 Syrah Achilles captivates the senses with a beguiling bouquet that mixes black fruits, smoke and pepper with sweet violet and lavender notes. It’s silky and round in feel, balanced by a concentration of tart wild berries, savory herbs and a bitter touch of mocha toward the close. There’s a combination of decadence and contrasting sour citrus tension here that I find quite pleasurable, as the Achilles finishes lightly structured and persistent under an air of tar and tobacco. Nicely done." Vinous

This wine - the name "Effe Emme" stands for the initials of Filippo Mazzei - represents a new chapter for Mazzei's Zisola winery and for all of Sicily. Very few producers on the island make a pure Petit Verdot. The Alberello vines are planted on highly calcareous soils. Effe Emme shows a dark fruit intensity with subtle background notes of chalk and crushed minerals. Powerful and full-bodied on the palate, juicy and firmly structured. Only 4,000 bottles are bottled. SUPERIORE.DE

"Lots of clove and green-peppercorn character with blackberries and blackcurrants on the nose and palate. Full-bodied and layered with plenty on the palate and a long, flavorful finish. Shows how petit verdot thrives in Noto." James Suckling

100% Nero d'Avola yields a dense ruby-violet colour and a fresh bouquet with rich fruity notes of dark cherries, honey and some grenadine. Doppiozeta unfolds explosively and finesse-rich on the palate, with a velvety tannin and very appealing length. SUPERIORE.DE

"This harmonious red is bright and stylish, with a dark and juicy mix of ripe blackberry, plus fragrant accents of milled pepper, dried sage, ground coffee and iron. Silky tannins emerge on the minerally finish." Wine Spectator

"The 2018 Rosso Doppiozeta is darkly alluring, opening with balsam herbs, tobacco and hints of mocha before giving way to depths of black currant and plum skin. It glides across the palate with ease, guided by bright acidity, as citrus-kissed black fruits and savory spices swirl throughout. Fine tannins linger, along with a bitter trace of blood orange and lingering hints of sage. There’s a finesse to the 2018 that makes it wildly attractive already. That said, I don’t believe it will be as long-lived as a result." Vinous

"A juicy, layered red with plums, cherries and hints of slate and pumice. Some rosemary and thyme, too. Full body, soft and creamy tannins and a subtle, pretty finish." James Suckling