Feudo Montoni Catarratto Sicily 2009, IGT, 13%, €15.50 (Bubble
Bros)
Catarratto is one of the most
heavily planted grape varieties in Italy and yet is found only in Sicily but
you’ll be hard pressed to find anything good written about it.
One of the most “positive”
sentences I’ve seen on it comes in Hugh Johnson’s 2011 Pocket Wine Book:
“Sicilian white grape with as yet unrealised potential”.
The winemakers at historic Feudo
Montoni (well known for their Nero D’Avola reds) have realised some of that
potential in this bottle and credit too to Bubble Brothers, who
also sell the Nero D’Avola, for going with it.
Indeed, they are quite proud of
it: “This is a feather in our white wine cap, and no mistake. Made from
old vines set high above sea level in north-eastern Sicily, Fabio Sireci's
Catarratto combines citrus freshness with the substantial body and mellowness
of Catarratto when grown with a special varietal wine in mind.
Despite taking full advantage of the torrid Sicilian sun to offer ripe, peachy fruit, this is a crisply focused dry wine with more edge and minerality than you might expect from the island, and a persistent finish in keeping with the overall impression of refined, opulent craftsmanship.”
Despite taking full advantage of the torrid Sicilian sun to offer ripe, peachy fruit, this is a crisply focused dry wine with more edge and minerality than you might expect from the island, and a persistent finish in keeping with the overall impression of refined, opulent craftsmanship.”
The colour is that of pale
honey with a pleasant if moderate aromatic nose. On the palate, you have a rich
texture and perfect balance of fruitiness and acidity and a pleasant lengthy
finish. Perhaps the fact that it is made from fifty year old vines had something
to with the quality here.
If you are looking for a change
from the usual white grapes, then this is well worth a try. Why not drop down
to Bubble Bros in Centre Park Road and see if they have it on their
multi-bottle temperature controlled tasting device?
By the way. I have added it to My Favourite Wines 2011.
By the way. I have added it to My Favourite Wines 2011.