2015 Tasca d'Almerita 'Rosso del Conte' Contea di Sclafani

In the late 1960s, founder Count Giuseppe Tasca decided to create a special reserve of Regaleali Rosso. He wanted to make a truly Sicilian wine that could age like the great international red blends such as Bordeaux and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. After selecting the fruit from the best parcels and experimenting with careful oak treatment (something unheard of in Sicily at that time), Rosso del Conte was born. Today, Rosso del Conte still stands as a revered icon among Sicilian reds and continues to be made from the very best selections of the old-vine estate vineyards.

For eight generations, the Tasca d’Almerita family has been devoted to Sicily, its land, its unique nature, and its surprising and inimitable resources. Their story began in 1830 with the purchase of Tenuta Regaleali, a green oasis spanning nearly 550 hectares in the center of the island where 8 generations have fostered the past, present, and future of Sicilian winemaking. Regaleali is an unpredictable and breathtaking place, even for the experienced traveler. Luscious hills roll endlessly in several shades of green, with vineyards unlike any other in the world. “Nordic” features in the deep south, like the perceptible diurnal temperature excursions between day and night, the mountainous context, and the quality of the light render this place a winemaking paradise. A mosaic of exposures, mixed soils, and elevations create a proper outdoor viticulture laboratory where 25 red and white varietals are planted across 382 hectares of vines.

Aging: 18 months in French oak barrels.

Tasting Notes: 54% Nero d'Avola, 26% Perricone, 20% other local grapes. Deep ruby-red in color, this wine offers enticing aromas of Marasca cherries and herbs with undertones of vanilla and tobacco. On the palate, silky tannins and a rich body culminate in a long, flavorful finish.