Ansaldi Cipponeri Rosso Riserva 2017

Ansaldi works in Sicily, an island with one of the Mediterranean's oldest winemaking traditions and a growing reputation for its indigenous grapes. Cipponeri Rosso Riserva blends Perricone, a deeply coloured and tannic local variety, with Nero d'Avola, the island's flagship red grape known for its ripe dark fruit and structure. The vineyards are organically farmed under the warm, dry Sicilian climate, where abundant sunshine ripens the grapes fully while coastal and altitude influences keep enough freshness to balance the wine. The Riserva designation reflects extended ageing, here twenty-four months in oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange softens Perricone's firm tannins and adds spice and depth without burying the fruit. The colour is deep ruby with garnet edges. The nose shows ripe plum and red berries with black pepper, liquorice, dried herbs and dark chocolate. The palate is full bodied and structured, with firm tannins, ripe Mediterranean fruit and a long, savoury finish carrying a touch of leather. Serve at 17 degrees and decant for an hour. It is built for grilled and roasted red meats.