Zisola Doppiozeta Noto Rosso 2021

Zisola Doppiozeta Noto Rosso comes from Tenuta Zisola near Noto in south-east Sicily, an estate run by the Mazzei family, long established at Castello di Fonterutoli in Tuscany. It is made from Nero d'Avola, Sicily's leading red grape. The vineyards lie close to the coast on calcareous soils, where intense Mediterranean sun ripens the thick-skinned fruit fully while sea breezes and cooler nights temper the heat and keep the wine fresh, holding the alcohol to a moderate 13.1 per cent. Ageing runs sixteen months in 500-litre French oak barrels followed by four months in old stone lagares, the larger format giving slow, gentle oxygenation that builds structure and integrates tannin without heavy wood flavour, while the stone vessels settle and round the wine. It is deep ruby, with a nose of ripe black cherry, plum and rye bread over a mineral smokiness, black pepper and dried herbs. The palate is generous and warm, with ripe dark fruit, fine-grained tannins and a savoury, liquorice-edged finish. Serve at sixteen to eighteen degrees, decanted if young. It pairs with grilled and roasted red meat and rich vegetable dishes.