Nero D’Avola Vrucara Prephylloxera Sicilia DOC — 2016
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Introduction
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Vrucara is the name of the cru from which the grapes hail. The name has its origins in a vineyard of which the land has always been called “Vrucara.” It takes this name due to the presence of vruca, a Sicilian word for a bush that grows spontaneously around the vineyard. This herb has aromas of menthol mixed with those of incense oil. Transferred into the old, unique vines, we notice this aroma in the wine.
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Vineyard Profile
- Appellation: Sicilia DOC
- Location: Cammarata (Agrigento)
- Viticulture: Certified Organic
- Vine Age: From prephylloxera vines, which we consider our “mother plants.” The vines in the Vrucara contain our unique and old genetic code of Nero d’Avola, guarded for centuries at Montoni. The first mention of these plants was in 1590 in the De Naturali Vinorum Historia.
- Soil: Clay and sand
- Orientation: East facing
- Exposure: 500 meters (1,640 feet) above the sea level
- Density: 2,600 vines per hectare (1,053 vines per acre)
- Training: Bush vines
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Vintage Report
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The 2016 vintage was characterized by a favorable climatic equilibrium. Rainfall was slightly lower than the annual average; the year commenced with occasional light snowfall in January and February, and throughout the spring and summer, rainfall was light but consistent, allowing the underground of the vineyard to remain moist during the entire vegetative cycle. In addition, the temperature from June to August was steady and not marked by excessive peaks of heat. During July and August, due to the high altitude of the vineyard, the nighttime temperatures fell drastically, creating strong thermic excursions between night and day, typical to the land of Montoni. The overall production was solid with quantities that are in line with average annual yields. The grapes, which were harvested in mid-October, were healthy, mature and of high quality.
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Vinification
- Fermentation: 100% in cement containers with a long maceration of 30 days on the skins. The pressing is made in an old wood press. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation takes place in cement.
- Aging: 45 months in cement, 6 months in barrels, 6 months in the bottle.
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Technical Information
- Alcohol: 14.0%
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Tasting Notes
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A bright ruby red color, Vrucara is intense and persistent on the nose with earthy aromas, notes of red plum and dark berries, which are in harmony with notes of rose petal, vanilla, balsamic, eucalyptus and licorice. Soft and velvety on the palate, with a delicate acidity and well-balanced and soft tannins. Vrucara has a prolonged aromatic persistence on the finish.
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Images
Reviews
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Feudo Montoni Nero D’Avola Vrucara Prephylloxera Sicilia DOC — 2016 – Wine & Spirits – 94 Points
Dramatic diurnal shifts in the 2016 growing season preserved fresh acidity in the grapes and amped up this wine’s gorgeous scents of lavender and eucalyptus. It’s a complete wine, unfolding with juicy dark-berry and plum flavors couched in a velvety texture, finishing long and balanced on lingering spice notes.
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Feudo Montoni Nero D’Avola Vrucara Prephylloxera Sicilia DOC — 2016 – Vinous – 94+ Points
A beguiling nose of cooling mint and smoke that gives way to crushed cherries laced with licorice and hints of shaved cedar. Its velvety textures soothe, carried across a medium-bodied framework of acid and minerals, as juicy black fruits and hints of wild herbs drenched the palate. A coating of fine tannins lingers, framing the experience nicely without slowing its momentum, as nuances of plum sauce and balsamic spices slowly fade.
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Feudo Montoni Nero D’Avola Vrucara Prephylloxera Sicilia DOC — 2016 – Wine Enthusiast – 93 Points
Made with bush-trained prephylloxera vines, this fascinating wine needs time to breathe before releasing intense aromas of menthol, dried earth, ripe black-skinned berry and star anise. The aromas carry on to the smooth, juicy palate along with ripe plum, black cherry, vanilla and a hint of iron. Soft tannins provide gentle support.