WTN: Pair from Cusumano

Cusumano Insolia 2005 (IGT Sicilia)

Ultra clear, pale to medium gold. Grapefruit rind and other yellow smells, backed by some flint and caraway. Dewy texture, but clean and sufficiently acidic. Appley flavor, with touches of pineapple, honey, and sulfur. A wee bit harsh on the short finish. $10. 13% alcohol.


Cusumano Syrah 2005 (IGT Sicilia)

Medium-dark, semi-clear velvety purple. At first, there’s washed black fruit, raw meat, and a whiff of pepper. Young and restless, this wine retains its meaty edge but grows riper, redder, and more floral over time, with hints of blackberry pie, leather, and licorise. Flavors follow closely. Medium-bodied and juicy, with moderate acidity and nice firm tannins on the finish. I’ve enjoyed several more bottles since this one. Suggest you give it plenty of air. $11. 14% alcohol.

Thanks, Clinton. I've seen the syrah around here. Sure sounds like it's worth trying.

Clinton, just picked up the `06 Syrah. The Nero D`Avola is just under $20 Cdn here, might pick one up.

What a coincidence. Had the 05 Nero D'Avola Saturday night, Bob. I'll be buying more.

What a coincidence. Had the 05 Nero D'Avola Saturday night, Bob. I'll be buying more.

Doug, was it typical Sicily or did it have hum wink "international" tones!

What a coincidence. Had the 05 Nero D'Avola Saturday night, Bob. I'll be buying more.

Doug, was it typical Sicily or did it have hum wink "international" tones!

I really will have to get back to you on that. I only had a few sips in which to form an impression, and since I was presenting wines to my daughter's party guests, I didn't have time to jot down any notes. I just know that my mind noted to buy more, which I intend to do very soon.

It wasn't syrupy, goopy or jammy and had no oak or alcohol sweetness so it probably wasn't international at all. What typical Sicily is, I have no idea. I just know that I liked the wine.

I think the region down in the south has a fascinating history and I remember some early Puglia wines that did not do it for me! The wines from Sicily seem to have improved too as new wineries and new ideas come to fruition. The earthy, tannic, burnt rubber nuances I associate with Sicily seem to have been cleared up and we can now see big positive changes. We did a Nero Open Mike once(or was it Wine Focus), would be interesting to rehash via a search.
I am sure there are some Sicily experts here, nod wink.

Marc D mentioned this article earlier this year.

http://www.thewinenews.com/octnov05/cover.asp