Deep ruby color; black cherry, blackberry, raspberry, plum, tobacco, sweet spice, licorice, earth on the nose and palate.
Dry; silky, medium tannin; good acidity (3.60 pH). Medium body. Soft, fruit-forward, simple, pleasant drinker. Subdued oak—fermented in stainless steel and aged in 50% large Slavonian oak barrels and 50% in stainless steel. 13% ABV
Nero d’Avola sometimes is called Sicily’s cabernet sauvignon, other times Sicily’s syrah. The grape falls between them, lacking cabernet sauvignon’s higher tannins, lacking the heft of syrah. It does deliver the warmth and depth of the two grapes in a smoother, more approachable package. It particularly pairs well with leaner red meats and tomato sauces.
The Regaleali estate dates to the 1830s. The name comes from the Arabic “Rahal-ali”—House of Ali. In addition to grapes, the estate grows thousands of roses on plants brought in from all over the world. The 100% Nero d’Avola grapes come from Tasca’s primary vineyard located in the mountainous heart of inland Sicily.
The website notes: “Tenuta Regaleali is a world unto itself: a vast estate between Valledolmo and Sclafani Bagni owned and operated by the Tasca d’Almerita family since 1837. Agriculture and winemaking coexist while strengthening one another. 387 hectares of vineyards thrive across the estate’s 542 total hectares, between 400 and 900 meters [1,300-3,000 feet] above sea level. Soils vary from vineyard to vineyard, creating a mosaic of geologic compositions. The microclimate here boasts excellent light and a fundamental day/night temperature excursion.”
Tasca d’Almerita is a substantial Sicilian winemaker, producing some 3.3 million bottles annually, including 600,000 bottles of this effort. It is a family-run organization, now in its eighth generation with Alberto Tasca the current CEO. Laura Orsi is the winemaker. Tasca has long been an advocate of sustainable agriculture. The Tasca website is filled with information and photos. Trinchero Family Estates is the U.S. importer, so there should be good distribution both in retail stores and online.
Tasca d’Almerita Tenuta Regaleali Nero d’Avola, Sicilia 2020 is easy going, savory, any-occasion table wine at good price. Simple tannins will play well with those put off by tannic wines. Versatile, fruit-forward, eager to please pour. Pair with pasta with meat-tomato sauce; stuffed pasta dishes; spaghetti and meat balls; sausages; pizza; lamb; roasted and grilled steaks, especially leaner cuts; beef stew; pork loin; eggplant parmigiana. Cheese—usually paired with hard cheeses, but can work with others; parmigiano-reggiano, pecorino romanno, aged cheddar; asiago, manchego; taleggio, camembert. $15-16
