Feudo Montoni "Vrucara"
(Prephylloxera) Nero D'Avola DOC 2019
(Sicily, Italy) - [VM 93+] [WS 92] [WE 92]

About The Winery:

Feudo Montoni has been producing top-quality wines on its historic grounds since 1469, and is currently overseen by Fabio Sireci, the third generation of a family dedicated to producing the most refined expressions of this long-cultivated terroir.

Rosario Sireci purchased the Feudo Montoni estate in the late 1800s upon discovering a wealth of ancient vines and passed down the property and closely held “secret knowledge” to his son and grandson. “Our wines are manipulated as little as possible by human intervention,” says Fabio Sireci of his family’s methods, which employ the “cru concept” of bottling a wine from the best grapes in a single vineyard. Feudo Montoni’s pre-phylloxera vineyard, for example, is planted with native Nero d’Avola clones.

Today, the certified organic winery produces many of Italy’s most celebrated 100% indigenous varietals—Perricone, Nerello Mascalese, Catarratto, Grillo, Inzolia and Passito—in addition to the purest expression of Nero d’Avola.

About The Wine

Vrucara is the name of the cru from which the grapes hail. The name has its origins in a vineyard of which the land has always been called “Vrucara.” It takes this name due to the presence of vruca, a Sicilian word for a bush that grows spontaneously around the vineyard. This herb has aromas of menthol mixed with those of incense oil. Transferred into the old, unique vines, we notice this aroma in the wine.

Vineyard Age:

From prephylloxera vines, which we consider our “mother plants.” The vines in the Vrucara contain our unique and old genetic code of Nero d’Avola, guarded for centuries at Montoni. The first mention of these plants was in 1590 in the De Naturali Vinorum Historia.

Vinification

Fermentation: 100% in cement containers with a long maceration of 30 days on the skins. The pressing is made in an old wood press. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation takes place in cement.

Aging: 42 months in cement, 4 months in barrels, 6 months in the bottle

Alcohol: 14%

Tasting Notes

A bright ruby red color, Vrucara is intense and persistent on the nose with earthy aromas, notes of red plum and dark berries, which are in harmony with notes of rose petal, vanilla, balsamic, eucalyptus and licorice. Soft and velvety on the palate, with a delicate acidity and well-balanced and soft tannins. Vrucara has a prolonged aromatic persistence on the finish.

Ratings & Reviews

93+ Points - Vinous:

"Dark depths of crushed plums, black cherries, balsam herbs and dark chocolate form a beguiling display as the 2019 Nero d'Avola Vrucara smolders up from the glass. This is pure elegance, silky and textural, yet full of youthful tension, with tart wild berries and zesty citrus colliding under an air of inner rose. The 2019 is structured with sweet tannins and is dramatically extended, showing hints of brown spice, mocha and clove that linger on and on and on. This is a powerful rendition of Vrucara." Drink 2025-2031. - Eric Guido (June 2023)

92 Points - Wine Spectator:

"A sleek, mineral-driven red, with a warm note of plum pudding enlivened by the tang of balsamico acidity and fragrant, snappy hints of wild cherry, eucalyptus, violet and sandalwood. Shows chalky tannins, which are enmeshed in the silky range of flavors but emerge to firm the iron- and smoke-laced finish. Nero d'Avola. Best from 2025 through 2034." - Alison Napjus (February 2024)

92 Points - Wine Enthusiast:

"A sweet, playful nose features chocolate and strawberry milk, plus maraschino cherries, like any good ice cream shop. The palate stays sweet with vanilla and more strawberries and cherries, but a slightly powderiness keeps everyone in a line. Smooth tannins create an enjoyably slick texture." - Danielle Callegari (December 2023)