A blend of 60% Nerello Mascalese, 30% Nerello Cappuccio and 10% Nocera, the Palari 2018 Rosso del Soprano is slightly caramelized with aromas of honey, candied apricot, crushed stone, tobacco leaf and sweet potting soil. The wine is not totally focused, but it does show some pretty crushed white pepper that is typical of these native Sicilian grapes. There is sweet tea on the finish. I recommend a near or medium-term drinking window.

The Palari 2016 Rosso del Soprano is an indigenous blend of Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Nocera, Acitana, Galatena, Jacché and Core 'e Palumba grapes, all representing some of the most curious and promising varieties of Sicily. The Palari house style always promises leanness and elegance, and this vintage delivers exactly those things. The bouquet shows pretty hints of dried raspberry and fragolino di bosco, and those forest-like primary notes are followed by autumnal leaf, earth, balsam herb and wild mint. This is a spritely and fresh red blend with a rather wild and unusual mountainous Sicilian character. The finish is a little dry and dusty, showing some light bottle evolution. Annual production is between 15,000 and 18,000 bottles.

The 2014 Rosso del Soprano is a wine that I often drink, especially when I'm looking for an elegant, mid-weight red that has the natural power to cut through foods heavy with cheese or cream. The bouquet is laced with blue fruit, cassis, resin, grilled herb and anise seed. There is a lot of Sicilian character in this unusual blend of Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Nocera, Acitana, Galatena, Jacché and Core 'e Palumba grapes. The wine ages in once-used barrique for 18 months. Some 16,000 bottles were made.

The 2012 Rosso del Soprano is slightly softer and plusher compared to the previous vintage. This was a warm growing season in Sicily and the vines reached quick maturity. As a result, you gain a clear view onto wild berry, red currant, and boysenberry aromas. At the back, spice, leather, tar and resin add to the wine's appeal and its complexity. I like the softer approach presented here, together with the wild side of the indigenous gapes represented. It offers an authentic taste of Mediterranean winemaking with lots of personality that will appeal to those looking for offbeat flavors.

The 2011 Rosso del Soprano shows the straight lines and delineated approach that makes the wines of Palari so popular. Like the other wines from this estate, this Rosso del Soprano shows a fiery and wild side. It is a wine of character, determination and long lasting impressions. In most cases, either you love it or you don't. Whatever your preference, there is no doubting the authenticity of a wine like this. It speaks of the steep vertical vineyards of Northern Sicily and the wind-swept sea vistas of the Straights of Messina. This vintage delivers warm tones of cherry and black berry, but it also shows a prickly side with resin, dill and licorice. Smoke and graphite appear on the finish.