Regaleali Rosso del Conte 2012
-
Robert
Parker -
Wine &
Spirits
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Rosso del Conte, created in 1970, was the first expression of great quality and longevity produced in Sicily. Created with intention by Conte Giuseppe, it expresses the characteristics of the Regaleali Estate. In the beginning, Perricone and Nero d’Avola cultivated as head-trained bush vines in the San Lucio vineyard. It has a long history made of numerous evolutions among which various typologies of aging (big chestnut barrels from 1970 to 1987, big barrels of Slavonian oak up to 1991, and subsequently tonneau and barrique in French oak). It was the first single-vineyard wine in Sicily.
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The venerated 2012 Sicilia Contea di Sclafani Rosso del Conte Tenuta Regaleali is a blend of 41% Nero d'Avola, 31% Perricone and the rest is a mix of various red grapes found on the Regaleali estate. Interestingly, past editions of this wine were reported as all Nero d'Avola but the blending formula seems to have gotten more complex with each passing vintage. This is a big boned wine with thick extraction and a long-lasting build. In fact, this bottle should go into the cellar for a few more years to better integrate and soften. The finish offers coffee, tar, licorice, dried fruit, blackberry preserves and much more. Rosso del Conte shows profound complexity.
-
Wine & Spirits
This nero d’Avola and perricone blend rested for 18 months in new French oak barriques, picking up notes of cardamom and vanilla that enrich the wine’s flavors of macerated plum and black licorice. It feels luscious and sensual, with smooth tannins, a persistent finish and a sweet fruit ripeness that will appeal to fans of New World wines.
Other Vintages
2017-
Robert
Parker -
Wine &
Spirits
-
James
Suckling -
Wine
Enthusiast
-
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Enthusiast -
Wine &
Spirits -
Wine
Spectator
-
James
Suckling -
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator
-
Wine
Enthusiast
The wines of Regaleali continue to grow in both quantity and quality thanks to the hard work and dedication of Count Giuseppe Tasca over the past 50 years. Today the winery is run by Lucio Tasca and his sons, Giuseppe and Alberto who are increasingly involved in management. Carlo Ferrini, one of Italy's most renown enologists, is makes the wines. In conjunction with the winery, Anna Tasca Lanza - Lucio's sister – also runs a highly regarded cooking school at the estate.
Italian Red Wine
While picturesque hillsides, endless coastlines and a favorable climate serve to unify the grape-growing culture of this country. The apparent never-ending world of indigenous grape varieties gives Italy an unexampled charm and allure for its red wines. From the steep inclines of the Alps to the sprawling, warm, coastal plains of the south, red grape varieties thrive throughout.
The kings of Italy, wines like Barolo and Barbaresco (made of Nebbiolo), and Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino (made of Sangiovese), as well as Amarone (mostly Corvina), play center stage for the most lauded, collected and cellar-worthy reds. Less popular but entirely deserving of as much praise are the wines made from Aglianico, Sagrantino and Nerello Mascalese.
For those accustomed to drinking New World reds, the south is the place to start. Grapes like Negroamaro or Primitvo from Puglia and Nero d’Avola from Sicily make soft, ammicable, full-bodied, fruit-dominant wines. Curious palates should be on the lookout for Cannonau (Grenache), Lagrein, Teroldego, Ruché, Freisa, Cesanese, Schiopettino, Rossese and Gaglioppo to name a few.