Costabisaccia IGT Terre Siciliane 2020 – Vino Lauria

Costabisaccia is a 30-year-old, north-facing vineyard in the hills around Grisì, about 25 kilometres southeast of Alcamo. There, the autochthonous Catarratto grows at ' 600 metres above sea level and always produces storable wines with clear varietal typicity. Harvested in mid-September, the yield of this vigorous variety averages seven tonnes per hectare. The grapes are pressed and macerate on the skins for 24 hours under temperature control. Fermented spontaneously in steel tanks, the wine matures on its lees for six months before being put on sale.

Strong old gold, bright and clear.

The 2020 Costabisaccia from VinoLauria is a one hundred percent Catarratto and thus almost devoid of any primary fruit. The nose is strikingly edgy, a little furniture polish, shellac and camomile paint the picture of a rough drink that becomes more expressive with increasing aeration, but not necessarily more multifaceted. The absence of fruit is only hinted at by the aromatic impression of aprocot peel, spicily countered by light Virginia tobacco and a bouquet of dried flowers.

On the palate, the admittedly somewhat gruff nose shines in golden light. Dried fruits such as apricots and apple rings, as well as fully ripe pineapple, are conciliatory and are calmly balanced by aromas of sage and camomile tea. Orange blossoms hover above, contribute citrus notes and close the circle to the quietly pulsating acidic nerve, animatingly coated with fine tart phenolic.