Planeta Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG 2019
(Sicily, Italy) - [JS 92] [WE 91] [WA 90]

About the Winery:
Planeta’s journey began at Sambuca di Sicilia, on the estate owned by the family since the 1600s. Here, three enthusiastic young Sicilians, Alessio, Francesca and Santi Planeta, under the guidance of Diego Planeta, began their winemaking venture in the mid-1980s. Subsequent years were spent matching the extraordinarily diverse Sicilian soils with both indigenous and international varieties. Planeta today encompasses six distinct wine estates in five regions across Sicily; Ulmo at Sambuca di Sicilia, Dispensa at Menfi, Dorilli at Vittoria, Buonivini at Noto, Sciara Nuova on Etna at Castiglione di Sicilia, and the newest addition, La Baronia at Capo Milazzo. Each vineyard site is carefully cultivated with grapes that best compliment the local terroir.

About the Wine:
Our Cerasuolo di Vittoria is produced from the countryside around Dorilli, between the sea and the Iblean mountains, the area of Sicilian food par excellence. The name of the only Sicilian DOCG derives of ‘cerasa’, cherry in Sicilian dialect. The wine is produced from the indigenous varieties Nero d’Avola and Frappato. A unique wine, recognisable and unforgettable; aromas of cherry, strawberry and pomegranate, fruits of the particular soils and climate. Here the vines are cultivated according to the criteria of sustainability and organicity. A wine in the wake of an ancient tradition, but with a youthful manner like no other Sicilian red wine.

Tasting Notes:
Cerasulo is extraordinarily recognisable to the nose with a cornucopia of red and wild fruits; wood strawberries, mulberry and pomegranate. Next to the fruit, it is distinctive for its pleasant spicey almost oriental notes, of sandalwood, coriander and Sichuan pepper. In the mouth, the wine reflects the olfactory perceptions and happily discovers black pepper mixed with carob and sweet cherries. A lively palate with a very full-bodied rounded finish with notes of mulberry.

Technical Information

Appellation: Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG
Varietal Composition: 60% Nero d'Avola, 40% Frappato
Region: Sicily
Vineyard: Dorilli-Mogli
Vineyard altitude: 70-80 meters above sea level
Vineyard soil type: the principal characteristic of the soils in the Cerasuolo di Vittoria area is the sandy texture; the soils consist mostly of loose red sand with a structure of small dimension, moderately deep. A tufa layer lies at about 90 cm, very important for the water holding capacity of the soil and thus for the water balance of the plants.
Vinification: : the grapes are gathered by hand and machine and transported to the winery in small trolleys. Once at the cantina, they are pressed and destemmed, then sent to stainless steel vats of 114 and 170 hl. The grapes are stirred three times a day with very short pumping – between 10 and 25 minutes – according to the phase of fermentation, giving due care to skins and fruit. Fermentation lasts for 7/8 days, with the temperature in the first phases held around 14/15 °C and then, when approaching its conclusion, refrigeration is suspended and the final degrees of alcohol are achieved with temperatures between 24/25 °C. Once the fermentation has finished, the skins will have remained in contact with the wine for 13/15 days, and are then racked off. The malolactic fermentation occurs in the same vats, and once concluded, between December and January, and after the next racking of the malolactic the maturing begins, always in stainless steel vats of 114 and 170 hl.
Alcohol: 12.5%

Ratings & Reviews

92 Points - James Suckling:
"A fresh and crisp, dry Sicilian red, showing bright cherries and a twist of licorice with some well-crafted tannins on the medium-bodied palate. Long, clean finish with plenty of drive. Drink or hold." - (October 2021)

90 Points - Wine Advocate:
"A blend of 60% Nero d'Avola and 40% Frappato, the Planeta 2019 Cerasuolo di Vittoria is a mid-weight red with a bright and punchy bouquet. The nose is redolent of wild cherry and plum, and there is a hint of red rose. A lean and silky finish culminates with a pretty point of fresh acidity. There are light notes of toasted herb and licorice as well. Some 85,000 bottles were made. This would be nice with a typical Sicilian “melanzane mbuttunate,” or eggplant stuffed with caciocavallo cheese." - Monica Larner (November 2021)

91 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
" On the nose this wine blooms with cherry blossoms and wild strawberries that pop up through gravel and soil. Cherries and berries are joined by rose petals and tea leaves for a tannic, crunchy-fruit palate outlined with chalky tannins and vibrant acidity." - Danielle Callegari (May 2023)