Feudo Maccari "Neré" Nero d'Avola IGT 2018
(Sicily, Italy) - [JS 92]

About the Winery:

The Feudo Maccari lies just over a mile from the sea, and basks in a dry, sun drenched climate verging on torrid in the summer months. Mediterranean winds moderate the climate and aerate the clusters, and some irrigation is required during the hot, dry season. The vineyards lie 240 feet above sea level on southerly exposed slopes, and the predominant volcanic soil profile is mixed in a few areas with white sand and chalk deposits. The Nero d’Avola vines are trained on trees in the traditional Sicilian manner, with the other varieties to more conventional systems. The first vintage of Saia, composed entirely of Nero d’Avola, was the 2002 vintage.

The vines are alberello trained (bush trained), are 12-34 years old, and have been planted with a southern exposure at 250 feet elevation, about one mile from the sea. Yields are low; about 2.5 tons/acre, to encourage concentration and complexity in the wine. In the spring, the vines are pruned to one bud per plant, and in June/July, a green harvest is performed to eliminate lesser grapes. Twenty days prior to harvest, the vines go through an additional cluster thinning, or a selection of the best grapes in the bunch. To develop superior color and aromas, the wine undergoes a 15-day maceration at 8.6°F before fermentation with regular punching down, and is aged in steel tanks to retain the grape's fresh, crisp, red berry characters.

Ratings & Reviews 

“A polished, refined nero d’avola with blackberries, black olives and blueberries. Hints of stones. Full-bodied with a nicely formed palate and a long, linear finish. A cooler style, compared with the often jammy rendition of this grape. Drink now."  (Jun 2020)

Wine Spectator:
"This trim red is lightly mouthwatering and balanced, a lithe version that offers a lively mix of crushed black raspberry, bay leaf, Mandarin orange peel and a touch of fresh, loamy earth. Subtle finish. Drink now. 10,000 cases made, 1,200 cases imported." – AN (Mar 2021)

Wine Enthusiast: "Black-skinned berry, blue flower and dark spice aromas form the nose. On the supple, enjoyable palate, round tannins gently support wild blueberry, crushed blackberry and a hint of cinnamon. Drink soon." - Kerin O'Keefe (3/1/2021)

Vinous Media: "The 2018 Nero d'Avola Neré is a fruit-forward effort that draws you close with a display of sweet violets, crushed black berries and exotic spice. It's soft with a noticeable inner sweetness, counterbalanced by tart woodland berries and a twang of peppery herbs. A concentration of primary fruits saturates the palate through the finale, providing a pleasantly tactile feel. All of that said, the Neré is, while balanced, all about immediate satisfaction." - Eric Guido (Jun 2021)