2021 Lamoresca Nerocapitano

Region: Sicily, Italy

Grape: 100% Frappato

Vineyard Practice: Organic, Natural, Vegan

Culinary Suggestions: Pizza, Pasta, Antipasti

Alcohol: 11.1%

Bottle Size: 750ml

Origins

Lamoresca is located in the southernmost region of Catania province, between Etna and Gela on the southern coast, at a height of around 450 metres. The vineyard has a distinctive terroir, consisting of highly compacted sandstone soils supplemented with calcium and iron-rich clay. The old vines, which include Nero d'Avola, Grenache, and Nerocapitano (Frappato) for reds and the rare Vermentino Corso for whites, are grown without the use of pesticides or chemicals. The wines ferment naturally without temperature control, and no sulphur is added at any point.

With a yearly production of approximately 15,000 bottles, the 2021 Lamoresca Nerocapitano is notable for its vivid and energetic character. The grapes go through two weeks of skin fermentation before being crushed and matured in concrete vats for eight months. This natural technique produces a wine that perfectly embodies the essence and authenticity of Sicilian Frappato.

Critic Review

There’s a rustic streak to the wine, undergrowth and barnyard, but undeniably bright cherry fruited too, licked with alpine herbiness and some good, savoury nuttiness there too. It’s quite soft in texture, supple and has good flow with gentle tannins shaping things a little. The finish is a little lax, a little old spice-cupboardy and gamey and broad, but late-coming acidity does freshen things nicely. All up, it feels pleasing to drink in all this, but doesn’t prosecute the case as well as it has in past years. 

91 points - Mike Bennie, The Wine Front August 2022

Drink: 2022 - 2024