The Friday wine for the Pizza became a Sicilian that we picked with us when we visited Donnafugata 14 years ago. Mille e una Notte 2003 is their most serious bottling of Nero d 'Avola (spiked with some "other grapes", probably French) from a year that was hot and dry throughout Europe, in other words as usual in Sicily. The soil is clay and limestone in the area of Contessa Entellina and is at slightly higher altitude (200-600 meters) which gives cooler nights that preserve a little acidity, it is anyway a clear warm climate wine with sun-sweet, dark fruit which has been given a good backbone from new French barrels.
In the scent there are dark cherries, licorice, figs, cigar box and some earthy notes. Flavors of sweet tobacco, dark, sweet cherries and blackberries, cedar and some olive-salt in the rather long finish. The tannins are fine, the fruit is ripe, deep and sweet, the alcohol is high but balanced. It may lack some acidity for real greatness but certainly it is a good wine and would probably go for another 5-10 years in the cellar.
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Haven't enjoyed this for a while, and still hitting all the notes; lush, rich textures, smooth, supple dark fruit. Aromas of anise, blackberry and coffee. Delicious.
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Tight on opening, but pleasant. Indigo ink in color. Lightly perfumed fruit with olive subnotes. Unusual relative to my reference points, with distinct iodine on the palate. With time, the palate opens up, still with a bit of iodine but presents a more juicy package. I suspect this still has a number of years left, however this is my last bottle.
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Vini Rossi-L'Ultimo Piano (Asti Trattoria): 1001 over-ripe and under-ripe vegetables and fruits, the wine was tannic and disjointed. Initially we detected roasted chilis and green pepper, with good acidity and a chalky finish, but the wine became somewhat funky as it had air, with more menthol and green notes evolving. It didn't work for most of the tasters. However, it was one seasoned tasters' favorite of the flight.
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Much better showing than previously.Modern, still strong oak although more integrated than I remember. Interesting olive and dark fruit finish at least gives a sense of place. Excellent
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9/14/2019 - NiklasT Likes this wine: 89 Points
The Friday wine for the Pizza became a Sicilian that we picked with us when we visited Donnafugata 14 years ago. Mille e una Notte 2003 is their most serious bottling of Nero d 'Avola (spiked with some "other grapes", probably French) from a year that was hot and dry throughout Europe, in other words as usual in Sicily. The soil is clay and limestone in the area of Contessa Entellina and is at slightly higher altitude (200-600 meters) which gives cooler nights that preserve a little acidity, it is anyway a clear warm climate wine with sun-sweet, dark fruit which has been given a good backbone from new French barrels.
In the scent there are dark cherries, licorice, figs, cigar box and some earthy notes. Flavors of sweet tobacco, dark, sweet cherries and blackberries, cedar and some olive-salt in the rather long finish. The tannins are fine, the fruit is ripe, deep and sweet, the alcohol is high but balanced. It may lack some acidity for real greatness but certainly it is a good wine and would probably go for another 5-10 years in the cellar.
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11/21/2014 - MarcEBeaudoin Likes this wine:
Haven't enjoyed this for a while, and still hitting all the notes; lush, rich textures, smooth, supple dark fruit. Aromas of anise, blackberry and coffee. Delicious.
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1/6/2011 - vanpe003 wrote: 91 Points
Tight on opening, but pleasant. Indigo ink in color. Lightly perfumed fruit with olive subnotes. Unusual relative to my reference points, with distinct iodine on the palate. With time, the palate opens up, still with a bit of iodine but presents a more juicy package. I suspect this still has a number of years left, however this is my last bottle.
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6/6/2010 - austinwinesalon wrote:
Vini Rossi-L'Ultimo Piano (Asti Trattoria): 1001 over-ripe and under-ripe vegetables and fruits, the wine was tannic and disjointed. Initially we detected roasted chilis and green pepper, with good acidity and a chalky finish, but the wine became somewhat funky as it had air, with more menthol and green notes evolving. It didn't work for most of the tasters. However, it was one seasoned tasters' favorite of the flight.
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3/21/2010 - alion wrote: 92 Points
Much better showing than previously.Modern, still strong oak although more integrated than I remember. Interesting olive and dark fruit finish at least gives a sense of place. Excellent
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