| DONNAFUGATA `Tancredi` 2006
The Rallo family has made wine in historic Marsala since 1851, and
their ancient cellars tunnel beneath the city. They were one of the
first families to begin making high quality table wine when sales of
traditional sweet Marsala started to decline, launching the
Donnafugata label in 1983, and championing some of the more
obscure regional Italian grape varieties. Today, they have two
estates in Sicily: a modern winery and 260 hectares at Contessa
Entellina in the hills east of Marsala; and 68 hectares on the island
of Pantelleria. Donnafugata means .fleeing woman. - a reference
to Queen Maria Carolina who escaped the court of Naples in the
early 19th century with her husband Ferdinand IV of Bourbon when
Napoleon.s troops arrived. The couple took refuge in Sicily at Santa
Margherita Belice palace, also the favourite residence of
celebrated writer Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa and depicted
on the .Mille e Una Notte. label.
The vines for this wine are trained in the counter-espalier system and
spur cordon pruned. Average planting density is 5,000 vines per
hectare with a yield of about 5 tons per hectare. Terrain of
medium density.
Both varieties were harvested in September.
The grapes were vinified in stainless steel with skin contact of about 12
days at 26-30°C. After malolactic fermentation, the wine was aged in
new and second passage French-oak barrels for 12-14 months. It
aged in bottle for at least 10 months before release.
Deep ruby in colour with purple tints. On the nose this wine has notes
of liquorice, cacao, cherries and bilberries. The Cabernet adds a
touch of mint and blackberry perfume. Well-structured on the palate
with ripe, juicy fruit characters and a long, perfumed finish.
Vintage 2006
Grape varieties 70% Nero D‘Avola
30% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region Marsala
Consultant
Winemaker
Carlo Ferrini
Closure Cork
Alcohol (ABV) 14%
Find this wine at www.winestore.co.uk
Price: £161.50 (Including VAT at 20%)
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