Santa Cecilia

Since 1995, the Planeta family has dedicated itself to making premium wines from the vast and various geographic climates that the oft barren Sicily exhibits.  From simple wines like "La Segreta" to the topic of today's article, production revolves around the wide array of terroir and indigenous grapes that Planeta proudly champions. 

The family has an impressive constellation of estates that dot all the major wine making regions of Sicily.  With six distinctive properties, Winemaker Francesca Planeta crafts wonderful wines in varying styles.

~ Winemaker Francesca Planeta ~

Today's article focuses on Planeta's Estate in the Southernmost corner of Sicily.   The Buonivini estate lies around the town of Noto,  the birthplace of Sicily's most famous indigenous red grape,  Nero d'Avola.    Literally meaning,  the Dark of Avola,  a southern Sicilian town that lends its name to the grape,  Nero d'Avola vines thrive in hot, arid climates and in the valley between Noto and Siracusa, the best examples are grown. 

~ The Noto Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site ~

  

The 2008 Planeta Santa Cecilia is 100% Nero d'Avola produced from grapes grown in the Noto  DOC.   The wine is vinified in stainless steel and then aged in 2 or 3 three year old French barriques for 12-18 months.   We served the wine alongside a mildly spicy Shrimp and Beans dish which made for a wonderful pairing.  

The wine is a deep black plum color with violet highlights throughout.  After about 20 minutes, the aromas poured forth from the glass.  Wonderful notes of plums, spices, pepper and salinity are enticing and persistent.   

On the palate, the wine is lively and fresh,  with nimble dancing flavors of red and black plums, tobacco, pepper, smoke and spice.  This is medium to full bodied, with juicy acidity and wonderfully integrated tannins that are silky smooth.  Long lasting and turning toward a sweet fennel finish,  this wine was simply remarkable.  The best pure Nero d'Avola I've ever tasted and maybe the best wine I've ever had from Planeta.   95 points, a steal around $38 retail. 

~ Gorgeous wine from Sicily:  The 100% Nero d'Avola from Planeta ~

E vero!