Mission Codename Don Conte
Nerd out with us on this one for a minute. Do not make the mistake of seeing the words “Tasca Conti d’Almerita 2014 Tenuta Regaleali ‘Rosso del Conte’ Sicilia Contea di Sclafani DOC” and noping right out of here. Or thinking “I don’t drink Nero d’Avola”.
That, friends, would be a BIG mistake.
You like world-class Cab and Syrah? Then you’ll LOVE THIS Nero d’Avola. You like big scores? Let the rip-roaring 96 points + TWO 94 pointers soothe your mind. Discounts? We got those too. 40% OFF baby!
Who did Wine Enthusiast award “European Winery of the Year” in 2019? It wasn’t Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. Or Château Margaux or (insert winery name).
It was Tasca Conti d’Almerita.
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate called it; “one of the top wines ever produced in Sicily.” Suckling added; “This has a crazy nose…breaks the boundaries for Nero d’Avola.” Galloni lauded this as “…southern Italy’s greatest and most famous red wine.” It was also the first single-vineyard wine ever produced in Sicily.
Consulting winemaker Carlo Ferrini was crowned by Jancis Robinson as “one of the most celebrated of the winemaking consultants that have been so vital to the Italian wine scene – possibly the most famous.” His 40+ year career includes putting estates such as Brancaia and Casanova di Neri on the map.
Still need convincing? You won’t when you taste it. This is 1000%, positively NOT a wine for the weak-minded - it sends your olfactory sense into overdrive with insanely complex aromas redolent of bay leaf, tobacco, tar, and ripe blue fruit. On the palate, it flaunts an alluring mix of savory herbs, sweet fruit and minerality, and penetrating acidity. A Napoleonic march of plum, blueberry, herbs de Provence and crushed stones course across your palate in a seemingly endless stream. The reviews share a similar line - juicy, sappy, mouthcoating, dark and concentrated. Just a thrilling experience all around.
This is a thrilling wine to experience! Make your move before it vanishes…
BONUS: A very special video tasting by Agents Red & Noir…
96 Points – James Suckling
“This has a crazy nose with notes of dried bay leaf, Thai basil, sage and thyme. Beneath the herbs are red peppers, blackcurrants, crushed stones, violets and blueberries. The blue-fruit and fascinating, herbal flavors permeate through layered tannins and mineral acidity right up to the long, bright finish. Once again, this breaks the boundaries for Nero d’Avola. Drink now or hold.”
94+ Points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous
“Deep ruby. Precise, enticing aromas of raspberry, graphite, chestnut, herbs and smoky minerality. Sweet on entry, then juicy and sharply chiseled in the middle, with an austere quality to the raspberry and floral flavors. Finishes sappy and mouthcoating, with penetrating acidity giving this youthfully smooth red a classic mouthfeel. Still very young. Drink 2021-2030.”
94 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“This is the 39th edition of this iconic red wine from Sicily. The 2014 Sicilia Contea di Sclafani Rosso del Conte Tenuta Regaleali reveals large-scale intensity with a dark and concentrated core. The bouquet delivers black fruit, balsam herb, cola, grilled herb and black olive. The wine is already very open, expressive and beautiful at this young stage in its evolution. The blend used in this vintage is 62% Nero d’Avola and 38% Perricone. The wine ages in new barrique for 18 months. Drink 2018-2033.”
What the Winery Says
2014 Tenuta Regaleali 'Rosso del Conte' CdS Sicilia DOC
- Consulting Winemaker
- Carlo Ferrini
- Winemaker
- Laura Orsi
- Varietals
- 54% Nero d’Avola, 26% Perricone, 20% other local grapes
- Vintage
- 2014
- Appellation
- Contea di Sclafani DOC, Sicily
- Vineyard
- Vigna San Lucio
- Vineyard size
- 23 acres
- Soil
- Calcareous and Sandy-Loam
- Training method
- Bush Gobelet
- Elevation
- 1,584 feet
- Vines/acre
- 1,760
- Exposure
- Southwestern
- Year planted
- 1965
- Alcohol
- 14%
- Total acidity
- 5.3 g/L
- pH
- 3.6
- Dry extract
- 31.6 g/L
- Residual sugar
- 3.1 g/L
- Aging
- 18 months
- Barrels
- 100% new French oak from Allier and Tronçais