Morgante

Don Antonio Nero d'Avola Riserva IGT Sicilia 2005

Wine Description

Although the Morgante family has been growing quality grapes for nearly 40 years in Sicily, the production and sale of wine is a relatively new venture. However, Don Antonio, named after the estate's owner, was an instant success. This Nero d'Avola Reserva is made from the finest grapes in the estate's oldest vineyards.

Tasting Notes

Don Antonio is a rich wine that offers voluptuous aromas of ripe black cherry, raspberry, black plum, and wild flowers, followed by spicy notes of chocolate, black pepper and cinnamon. It is a silky yet muscular red, with a lush fruit texture beautifully integrated with chewy tannins. Made from one of Italy's most promising grape varieties, Don Antonio is a great match with hearty fare such as roasted or grilled pork chops, roast beef, barbecued ribs and medium-aged cheeses.

Vineyard Characteristics

Production area/name of vineyard: Grotte/Agrigento
Size of vineyard (acres): 75
Soil composition: Limestone and clay
Training method: Guyot
Elevation (feet): 1,650
Vines/acre: 1,400
Yield/acre (tons): 1.4
Exposure: Southeastern
Year vineyard planted: 1970/1975
Agronomist/Vineyard manager: Giovanni Morgante

Winemaking & Aging

Varietal composition: 100% Nero d'Avola
Harvest time: September
First vintage of this wine: 1998
Number bottles produced of this wine: 35,000
Fermentation
Fermentation container: stainless steel tanks
Fermentation temperature (°F): 77-84
Length of maceration (days): 20-22
Malolactic fermentation: Yes
Aging
Aging container: Barriques
Size of aging container: 225 L
Cooperage: French oak: Allier
Length of aging before bottling: 12 months
Length of bottle aging: 7-8 months
Analytical Data
Alcohol: 14.0%
pH level: 3.6
Residual sugar (grams/liter): 1
Acidity (grams/liter): 5.5
Dry extract (grams/liter): 36.0

Reviews

Wine Advocate - Issue #182/ April 2009
“Central and Southern Italy: A World Waiting to be Discovered” by Antonio Galloni
"Fresh mint, flowers, blueberries, blackberries and sweet spices come together in a layered, elegant expression of Nero d’Avola."
91 points


Wine Spectator - Aug. 31, 2008
Buying Guide
"Very attractive bright fruit, with licorice and blueberry. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a lean finish. This is really polished and pretty. Long and delicious, with a silky texture. Why wait? Drink now."
91 points


Quarterly Review of Wines - Spring 2007
Aglianico, Anyone?
"For my palate, one of the top Nero d’Avolas produced anywhere on the island. The Riserva Don Antonio is even more impressive."
Southern Italy's Best