red wine review is a lovely, certified sustainable Nero d’Avola from Sicily that arrived at the LCBO last weekend in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.
It is produced by Tasca d’Almerita, one of Sicily’s most renowned and influential winemaking families, whose history dates back to 1830, when brothers Lucio and Carmelo Mastrogiovanni Tasca purchased the Regaleali estate, encompassing approximately 1,200 hectares in central Sicily, and introduced modern agricultural technology to the Sicilian countryside. Since then, successive generations of the family have cared for this land and shared its bounty with passion.
In 1840, the dowry of Lucio’s wife, Beatrice Lanza, included Villa Camastra, known today as Villa Tasca, which became the Palermo residence of the Tasca d’Almerita family and remains in family ownership today. In 1854, Regaleali was awarded the distinction of “model farm” for agriculture. At the time, growing grains and producing fodder were the estate’s main activities, while vineyards occupied only a small portion of the land. In 1890, the vines at Regaleali were decimated by the phylloxera epidemic sweeping across Europe, prompting the creation of a special nursery at Villa Camastra to graft grapevines onto healthy American rootstock.
Tenuta Regaleali was reshaped in 1950, when the estate and its lands were redistributed as part of the Italian agricultural reform, reducing its size to approximately 500 hectares. This period also marked the beginning of its modern vineyard development, including Nero d’Avola vines planted at the San Lucio vineyard in 1954. Over the ensuing years, the family planted additional indigenous and international grape varieties while establishing new estates across Sicily.
Since 2001, the family business has been led by Alberto Tasca, representing the eighth generation of the family, with a vision of strengthening its longstanding commitment to quality and continuous experimentation. Tenuta Regaleali is an oasis tucked among the high, green hills of central Sicily and represents the history of an entire family. Today, Tenuta Regaleali spans nearly 600 hectares, encompassing 12 different soil types and six hills ranging from 450 to 850 metres above sea level, offering considerable diversity in growing conditions. All wines bearing the Regaleali name come from a single vineyard or multiple vineyards within the estate. In 2017, Tasca d’Almerita became certified under the VIVA/SOStain sustainability programme, and in 2023, it achieved B Corp certification.
This red wine is crafted from 100% Nero d’Avola grown at the family’s Regaleali estate in the Contea di Sclafani DOC in central Sicily. It is one of the estate’s historic wines, representing a legacy spanning 68 harvests of Nero d’Avola production. The grapes were harvested at the optimal point along their maturation curve to ensure elegance and achieve the perfect balance between austerity and fullness. Fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks at 26–28°C, with an average maceration period of 10 days, followed by complete malolactic fermentation. Half of the wine was aged in stainless steel tanks, while the other half spent 10 months in 300- and 600 L Slavonian oak barrels.
The 2023 growing season in Sicily began with challenges during flowering, as rainfall caused significant coulure, naturally reducing yields and concentrating the berries into fewer bunches. Frost was also a concern, with several distinct cold snaps during budbreak keeping vineyard managers on high alert. Climatic conditions were otherwise cool and classical, without any significant summer temperature spikes, allowing fresh aromatics to develop rather than concentrating on power. Harvest took place under mixed skies. Overall, the vintage produced wines of elegance, versatility and freshness, with good terroir expression. Let’s see how this 2023 Nero d’Avola from Sicily is tasting tonight…
Tasting Note:
TASCA D’ALMERITA REGALEALI NERO D’AVOLA 2023 – Sustainable, DOC Sicilia, Italy (#39660) (XD) – $18.95
Fresh, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose offers rustic, wild black cherry aromas mingling with spices, underbrush, and savoury earth, plus touches of brambly berry and leafy herbs. On the dry, medium-full bodied palate it is ripe and impressively structured with delicious wild black cherry, spices, and earth flavours joined by oak accents and dried herbs. It has crisp, well-structured acidity, along with ripe, structured, and slightly youthful tannins. Really nicely balanced throughout with mineral notes coming through on the mid-palate and carrying into the long, savoury, and crisp finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts
One other lovely wine by Tasca d’Almerita is available at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent – Vinexx.