Nerello Cappuccio Terre Siciliane IGT Rosso — 2020
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Introduction
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THE WINERY: Winemaking in the Benanti family can be traced back to the late 1800s in Viagrande. This deep-rooted passion for wine is what led Giuseppe Benanti to establish the namesake winery in 1988.
THE WINE: Vineyard in Contrada Cavaliere, on the southwestern slope of Mount Etna, within the municipality of Santa Maria di Licodia (CT). This area is known for its high elevation (900 m a.s.l. / 2,950 ft a.s.l.), low rainfall rate, and abundant luminosity.
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Vineyard Profile
- Appellation: Terre Siciliane I.G.T. Rosso
- Location: Sicily
- Cultivation: Sustainable
- Vine Age: Up to 30 year-old vines
- Soil: Volcanic sands, rich in minerals, with sub-acid reaction
- Density: 6,500-7,000 vinestocks per hectare, (2,429 - 2,834 vines per acre)
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Vintage Report
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A year similar to 2019 in terms of climate, with a mild winter and below-average rainfall. Vegetation started to grow between mid-March and early April. Spring temperatures were mostly normal, but there were some cold temperatures in May and June. Like in 2019, there was unseasonal rain in July, which affected the ripening process. Overall, the soil had good moisture, but more effort was needed to control spontaneous vegetation. Increased humidity also led to a higher risk of powdery mildew. In July, there were small hailstorms in Monte Serra and Milo, but the damage was minimal. These conditions caused a delay in veraison and some grapes did not fully ripen. Harvest took place in the usual period, starting in late September. In some cases, harvest extended beyond the typical period to compensate for the irregular ripening caused by July rains.
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Vinification
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Grapes are hand-picked during October, de-stemmed and softly pressed. Fermentation occurs at a controlled temperature in stainless steel vats, with a 14-15 days long maceration, using an indigenous yeast selected in the vineyard by Benanti. The maturation then occurs in stainless steel tanks for about 12 months until bottling.
- Aging: Stainless steel tanks on the fine lees for 12 months, until bottling. In the bottle for 6 months.
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: Nerello Cappuccio
- Alcohol: 13.5%
- TA: 5.7 g/L
- p H: 3.6
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Tasting Notes
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Color: Fairly bright ruby red with very light tints of purple
Scent: Spicy, herbaceous, smoky, mildly fruity
Taste and Body: Dry, pleasant acidity, mildly tannic, balanced, good persistence with red fruit aromas
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Images
Reviews
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Nerello Cappuccio Terre Siciliane IGT Rosso – 2020 – Wine Enthusiast – 94 Points
“A savory nose features aromas of strawberry, red currants, old leather and white pepper, while the palate is fresher and more fruit-forward with notes of strawberry jam and raspberries, although an earthy undertone and more pepper bring balance and cohesion. Acid crackles above tannins that nip at your heels.”
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Nerello Cappuccio Terre Siciliane IGT Rosso — 2020 – Decanter – 90 Points
“It's intense and very spicy, with red and black cherry fruits and peppery red berries. Delicate and light on its feet yet intense in flavour, it will be a good partner for a wide variety of cuisine.”
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Nerello Cappuccio Terre Siciliane IGT Rosso — 2020 – Vinous – 92 Points
“Always a pleasure to taste, the 2020 Nerello Cappuccio by Benanti is one of the few varietal bottlings I have encountered of this native variety. It's dark and floral with a whiff of sweet spice that accentuates its black cherry and wild berry fruits. Round and juicy on the palate, it impresses further with depths of ripe red and fruits and sweet herbal tones as a subtly coating of grippy tannins amasses toward the close. The 2020 finishes with medium length yet leaves a big impact, slightly chewy and with a tart raspberry twang. Very nice.”