Zabu Chiantari Nero d'Avola / Merlot Sicilia

The grapes for the Zabù Chiantari Nero d'Avola / Merlot grow on the island of Sicily in the hills near Lago Arancio. These hills lie in the southeastern part of the island near Sambuca di Sicilia, where the relatively young winery Vigneti Zabù has its cellar. The vines for this wine thrive on loamy soil that retains water very well, so the vines survive the hot summer well. This wine is produced from 70% of the typical, autochthonous Nero d’Avola grape variety and 30% of the international Merlot variety. After gentle harvesting, the destemmed grapes are macerated for 10-12 days with temperature control, and the must is fermented after pressing in French and American oak barriques. After fermentation, the wine is stored for 8 months in barrique barrels before it is bottled and rests for another 6 months on the bottle before sale.

On the nose, we have a potpourri of red berries, forest fruits, and spicy aromas. Notes of black cherries, elderberry, and blackberries complement each other with licorice, dark chocolate, and light roasted notes.

Taste: On the palate, the wine is powerful and robust. Tight but not too strong tannins and a pleasant acidity emerge. The fruity aromas of dark berries and cherries unfold.