The longevity of Nero D'Avola Sense 2007 - Di Bella - 93 points ZWC

Cellars Cellars Italia Sicilia Silver Medal Wine Rating Zosimo July 5, 2024 0 Comments

The longevity of Nero D’Avola Sense 2007 – Di Bella – 93 points ZWC

My love for Nero D’Avola is evident. This “prince” among the grape varieties that represent beautiful Sicily, my homeland, has fascinated me since my early years when my grandparents would never deny me a small sip of wine.

Different times, you might say! But no, because in the last 50 years, Nero D’Avola has seen both joys and sorrows, declines and revivals, yet it has always managed to surprise everyone with its tenacity.

The vigor of the vine, which behaves exactly like the Sicilian people, loves the sun. Its lush leaves are like thick hair that opens up to the sunlight and protects the clusters from the intense heat. I describe this grape as “virile,” nervous, almost restless. Its olfactory profile, marked by peppery notes, strongly features aromas of red fruits and sea breeze.

I confirmed its longevity back in 2014, during my first guide to this grape, when I tasted a 1998 vintage and found it remarkably fresh. Today, as then, I had the opportunity to taste a pure Nero D’Avola from the Di Bella winery with 16 years of aging (or rather, in the bottle) behind it—Di Bella – Sense 2007 – with 14% alcohol.

The color is typical of the grape, an intense ruby red, with a slight tendency towards garnet, indicating its maturity. On first impression, aromas of ripe red fruits emerge, including strawberry, cherry, and black cherry, with a light hint of eucalyptus that gives way to Mediterranean herbal notes.

On the palate, it is vigorous, almost like a youngster just released from the bottle. Its acidic note, supported by good alcohol at the start, sustains it, making it intense with long-lasting taste.

The slight oxidative note does not detract from its freshness and great complexity. This is a wine for grand occasions, perfect for succulent meals featuring red meats or sausages, making it the star of feasts among true friends, lovers of this “prince,” ready to savor its fresh longevity.