Two reds from Sicily

Here are the actual TNs. There's more context on my blog (see sig).

Azienda Agricola Cos, Pithos, Sicilia IGT, 2008, The Wine Society, £17.00
Azienda Agricola Cos, Pithos, Sicilia IGT, 2009, Joseph Barnes Wines, £21.00

2008, with a meal: Pale ruby garnet. Very attractive nose, with intense fresh sharp red fruit, and some more mature notes. Some undergrowth. Medium high acidity and astringency. The fresh sharp fruit notes up front, with the other aromas detected on the nose coming through later on the palate – undergrowth, and finally a long fruity finish. Light, good perfumed aromatics that put me in mind of a decent Burgundy. Delicious, and my sort of wine. Drink now, or maybe try keeping for a few years to see what happens. *****

2009, with a meal: Very pale garnet. Intense nose. Undergrowth, and some delicate red fruit. Violets, particularly when not swirling. Medium high acidity, and low but detectable astringency. Aromas on the palate as on the nose, with lovely tingly finish and fantastic length. Delicately perfumed like a Burgundy can be, except for violet notes rather than the aromas more commonly associated with Pinot Noir. As the evening progressed and the wine warmed up further from cellar temperature, the undergrowth character disappeared, and the fruit became dominant – which I thought less good, but still nice. Drink now I think, but as I have 5 bottles remaining I’ll spread them out over the next few years and see how it goes. *****

Nicosia, Fondo Filara, Etna Rosso DOC, 2008, The Wine Society, £11.00

A note from a tasting: This had been double decanted 3hrs ago. Medium intense purple ruby. Intense dark fruit. Mature notes, restrained and spicy. Medium high acid and astringency. Excellent length. Good now, but will probably improve in 5 years. *****

Another bottle, with a meal: Medium light ruby (OK, so it is not only my nose and palate that is inconsistent). On the nose, good, intense, juicy sweet red fruit. Vanilla, and cinnamon maybe. Medium high acid, and medium low astringency. Aromas as on nose. Excellent length. Understated pleasure. At this point I was thinking ***. But by the time I had got to the bottom of even my first glass I was liking it more – it seemed more complex and interesting, so ****. By the end of the evening it had changed completely, showing bretty Bandaid notes. Maybe ***** now. The following day, it was more sweet and raisiny, which I usually associate with some oxidation, but it also had a lemon sherbety finish. Overall, for being so interesting, I think it gets *****

If this is a style of wine you like try the wines from Occhipinti, she does a fine job on the grape frappato. Imported by Louis Dressner.

The Cos Pithos is a very interesting wine, from an even more interesting producer. I like their stuff, just wish it were easier to find it in the US.

Imported by Louis Dressner.

Not into the UK, I don't think, but I see it is available here. I'll keep an eye out for it.

Hi Steve -

Thank you for the notes. Haven't had the red Pithos yet, but I tried the 08 Pithos Bianco at a tasting last year, and was impressed. Their Ramì (another white) is also nice.