Il Tascante Nerello Mascalese Sicilia DOC - Tenuta Tascante

The Il Tascante Nerello Mascalese Sicilia DOC from Tenuta Tascante by Tasca d'Almerita is made from grapes from over 50-year-old vines of the autochthonous Sicilian grape variety that grows on the northern slopes of Mount Etna.

Il Tascante Nerello Mascalese is a light yet brilliant ruby red in color. The nose reveals intense aromas of dark wild berries, floral notes of glicinia, violets and rosehip, earthy and mineral hints of flint, a volcano in a glass. On the palate, this Sicilian red wine is very determined, a little austere, the tannins show presence without being forward, elegant and full-bodied, with a remarkable structure. Long, aromatically dense finish.

Vinification of Il Tascante Nerello Mascalese Sicilia from Tenuta Tascante

This wine is like the volcano on which the grapes ripen: explosive but never forward. The Contrada Sciarante vineyard for this Nerello Mascalese from Tenuta Tascante was planted in 1960, the vines are over half a century old, facing north-east, on black soils, framed by old dry-stone walls, surrounded by chestnut trees and downy oaks.

The Nerello Mascalese grapes are all harvested manually in a single day. Fermentation takes place over 8 days at a controlled temperature in stainless steel tanks, followed by complete malolactic fermentation. The wine is then aged for 18 months in large 30 hl Slavonian oak barrels, followed by a further 4 months in the bottle.

Dining recommendations for the Il Tascante Nerello Mascalese from Tenuta Tascante

This impressive volcanic red wine from Sicily is an ideal accompaniment to risotto with mushrooms, red meat, braised meat, game, blue cheese and mature cheeses, but also goes well with dark chocolate.
It is recommended to serve the wine at 16 to 18° and should definitely be opened at least 1 hour before drinking.

Awards for the Il Tascante Nerello Mascalese Sicilia DOC from Tenuta Tascante

• Veronelli: 94/100 points for 2013
• Bibenda Duemilavini: 4 grapes for 2013
• Wine Spectator: 88 points for 2013
• James Suckling: 91 points for 2013; 93 points for 2012
• Robert M.Parker: 90 points for 2012; 93 points for 2011
• Gambero Rosso: 2 glasses for 2013, 2012 and 2011

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