It was a bottle of Morgante Nero d’Avola that introduced me to the joys of Sicily’s most noble grape variety. And after tasting their newest release recently, both David and I agreed it was in especially fine form.
Boasting loads of ripe fruit and a pleasure-bent personality, this is about as satisfying as red wine gets. And at less than $20 per bottle, the quality-to-price ratio is very high on this one.
2016 Morgante Nero d’Avola
93 points Team Table Wine
This vintage is sold out. To order the new vintage, stop by the store or click here to order in our online store.
The Morgante family are champions of the Nero d’Avola grape. For many years, the family grew grapes and sold them to larger producers, but in the mid-1990’s they started bottling their own wines. Today, the estate is run with great passion and care by Antonio Morgante and his sons Carmelo and Giovanni. And with the help of Riccardo Cotarella, one of Italy’s finest winemakers, Morgante is recognized as one of the top producers of estate-bottled Nero d’Avola in the world.
One of the keys to their success is the location of their vineyards and their commitment to sustainable and organic farming methods. All of Morgante’s Nero d’Avola grapes are grown at high elevations in the southern reaches of Western Sicily. This unique position puts them within reach of the cool coastal breezes that help to ensure healthy and optimal ripening conditions.
Put simply, Morgante’s cooler sites result in a truly balanced and harmonious Nero d’Avola. Fermented in stainless steel and aged for 4 months in French oak, this is medium to full bodied and packed with personality. I get gorgeous notes of raspberry liqueur, dark plum, herb and baking spices right away. And those aromas give way to similar flavors on the ripe, fine-grained, and supple palate. All in all, it’s a very satisfying glass of wine and one that will appeal to a wide variety of palates.
It’s a joy to be re-introduced to a wine that knocked my socks off early in my career. And it’s great to see this family-owned and operated winery is still producing wines that deserve mention as some of Sicily’s finest. A great red to pair with grilled meats, vegetables and legume-based stews, it’s also great with nothing more than a glass and a good friend.
This vintage is sold out. To order the new vintage, stop by the store or click here to order in our online store.
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville