The 2006 Nerello Mascalese Il Monovitigno is outrageous. Mint, flowers and sweet perfumed cherries are just some of the nuances that emerge from this textured, silky red. Deceptively medium in body, the wine blossoms on the palate with exquisite detail, clarity and freshness, all of which lead to a round and utterly harmonious finish. Readers who want to discover the virtues of Nerello Mascalese may want to start here. This is a gem of a wine. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020.
Lamoremio that is already a touch forward and probably not built for the long haul. Still, it should drink beautifully for at least a few years. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2016. Benanti is a reference-point producer for beautiful wines from the Etna and Pachino, two of Sicily’s most privileged spots. It’s pretty hard to go wrong with any of these new releases.
Importer: JA-AR Imports, Ltd., Stellar Cellars, East Brunswick, NJ; tel. (732) 762-9524