Valle Dell'Acate Vittoria Il Frappato 2020
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Wine &
Spirits -
James
Suckling -
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Enthusiast
Product Details
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
A very clear ruby red color. The nose is fragrant, fresh and powerful with hints of red fruits, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, violet flowers and sage. Very vivacious and fresh, particularly because of red fruit and rosebuds, a dry pleasant and persistent finish.
Professional Ratings
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Wine & Spirits
Half the pleasure of this wine comes from its ebullient aromas of thyme, rosemary and lavender, those same scents infusing flavors of tangy strawberry and orange peel. Fresh and high-toned, it’s a match for poultry or grilled vegetables.
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James Suckling
A very pretty young red with ripe red berries and hints of white chocolate, fresh herbs and whole peppercorns. Medium-bodied with soft tannins. Fresh and fruity. Pleasant to drink now.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A certified organic wine of which some 80,000 bottles were made, the Valle dell'Acate 2020 Sicilia Vittoria Il Frappato is both informal and elegant. The Frappato grape is a true star in the wide constellation of Sicilian grapes and should not be overlooked, especially if you love tonic, lean and silky wines that are generally Pinot Noir-adjacent. Valle dell'Acate makes one of the very best expressions, and this vintage is the standout. True to form, it shows wild berry, sour cherry and earth. There is some caper or green olive as well, and although the alcohol content registers a mild 13%, you feel the pinch of that Sicilian sunshine nonetheless.
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Wine Enthusiast
This bright Frappato has attractive aromas of red-skinned berry, rose petal and Mediterranean scrub. The juicy palate offers Marasca cherry, clove and white pepper alongside polished tannins and fresh acidity.
Other Vintages
2022-
Robert
Parker -
James
Suckling
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Wine
Enthusiast -
James
Suckling
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James
Suckling
Frappato is one of Sicily’s exciting indigenous red varieties and, in combination with Nero d’Avola, is responsible for the acclaimed Cerasuolo di Vittoria wines—the only DOCG of Sicily. It makes a lively single varietal wine as well with charming strawberry, pomegranate, white pepper and violet qualities. Somm Secret— Frappato is a likely descendant of the Tuscan Ciliegiolo grape, which is named after the Italian word for cherry, ciliegia. Incidentally, the wine of Cerasuolo di Vittoria is also named for Sicilian dialect word for cherry, cerasa.
A large, geographically and climatically diverse island, just off the toe of Italy, Sicily has long been recognized for its fortified Marsala wines. But it is also a wonderful source of diverse, high quality red and white wines. Steadily increasing in popularity over the past few decades, Italy’s fourth largest wine-producing region is finally receiving the accolades it deserves and shining in today's global market.
Though most think of the climate here as simply hot and dry, variations on this sun-drenched island range from cool Mediterranean along the coastlines to more extreme in its inland zones. Of particular note are the various microclimates of Europe's largest volcano, Mount Etna, where vineyards grow on drastically steep hillsides and varying aspects to the Ionian Sea. The more noteworthy red and white Sicilian wines that come from the volcanic soils of Mount Etna include Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio (reds) and Carricante (whites). All share a racy streak of minerality and, at their best, bear resemblance to their respective red and white Burgundies.
Nero d’Avola is the most widely planted red variety, and is great either as single varietal bottling or in blends with other indigenous varieties or even with international ones. For example, Nero d'Avola is blended with the lighter and floral, Frappato grape, to create the elegant, Cerasuolo di Vittoria, one of the more traditional and respected Sicilian wines of the island.
Grillo and Inzolia, the grapes of Marsala, are also used to produce aromatic, crisp dry Sicilian white. Pantelleria, a subtropical island belonging to the province of Sicily, specializes in Moscato di Pantelleria, made from the variety locally known as Zibibbo.