WTN: 2006 Occhipinti Nero d'Avola

2006 Arianna Occhipinti Siccagno Nero d'Avola Sicilia IGT 13.0%
Wow, lovely and fragrant aromas of cherry, forest floor, incense and leather. Bountiful mouthfeel, good tannic grip, excellent acid/sweet balance, finished by just the right amount of bitterness. Alcohol well-integrated, practically perfect in every way. The only thing that bothered me was how much it reminded me of other wines, initially Burgundy, but with food and air it became a dead ringer for Chinon, except much gutsier (more Joguet than Baudry).

This is our third wine from Arianna Occhipinti. The Frappatto was delicious and original, though slightly lacking in mouth weight, even for a light wine. The SP68 was OK, but a bit disappointing in comparison. But this was absolutely terrific and I urge you to get some, if I know what's good for you.

Oswaldo -

was this the 06 or 07? I purchased a bottle of the 06 earlier in the year after tasting it. When I tried it, it still had some angriness (newly bottled perhaps?) to shed, and I thought it would show better in a couple of years. I could see the Joguet comparison, but feel the fruit might be a bit brighter in the Occhipinti.

Mark

Arrgh, 50 lashes and a month without grog for forgetting the vintage. Will edit!

The wine we had last night seemed to have shed any adolescent anger it may have once had. Yes, I agree, brighter than Joguet.