2018 Il Censo "700" Nero d'Avola Terre Siciliane IGT, Sicily, Italy
ABOUT THIS WINE
The “700” refers to the meters of altitude at which the Nero d’Avola at Il Censo is planted. This wine offers a beguiling combination of plushness and tension, with fruits in the dark-red part of the spectrum, and plenty of driving energy. Nero d’Avola can often be one-note even when it is perfectly delicious, but not here, as this shows the true potential of Il Censo’s terroir for producing great red wine.
ABOUT THIS PRODUCER
Gaetano's family, through his mother's side (family name: Spoto), has owned Il Censo for over 200 years. Production over the years was principally of grains and legumes but there was also a small vineyard planted to Perricone and Malvasia Nera and an old olive grove the trees of which are now 100 years of age. The name "Il Censo" literally means "census" but in this instance most likely refers to the obligations of the tenant farmers to pay tribute to the landowning family, a system that dates back to feudal times. The name predates the Spoto time of ownership.
As has been the case so often, much of the agricultural activity at Il Censo was abandoned over the years. Gaetano met Giampiero Bea about 25 years ago and fell in love with the work the Bea family was doing in Montefalco. Ultimately, Gaetano determined to reinvigorate the farming activity at Il Censo and, with the guidance of Giampiero, began by planting 5 hectares of vineyards split between the white Cataratto grape and the black Perricone variety. The vineyards are situated high on an undulating volcanic outcropping. An additional four hectares have recently been planted which will come into production between the 2015 and 2017 vintages. This newest planting regime includes Nero d'Avola and Malvasia Nera in addition to Cataratto and Perricone.
The olive grove has also been revived and is now producing about 500 liters of a certified organic, unfiltered extra virgin olive oil, small quantities of which will make its way into our hands for the US market.
The entire agricultural enterprise is managed organically. Vinification is conducted under the principles developed by Giampiero Bea.
Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Description
ABOUT THIS WINE
The “700” refers to the meters of altitude at which the Nero d’Avola at Il Censo is planted. This wine offers a beguiling combination of plushness and tension, with fruits in the dark-red part of the spectrum, and plenty of driving energy. Nero d’Avola can often be one-note even when it is perfectly delicious, but not here, as this shows the true potential of Il Censo’s terroir for producing great red wine.
ABOUT THIS PRODUCER
Gaetano's family, through his mother's side (family name: Spoto), has owned Il Censo for over 200 years. Production over the years was principally of grains and legumes but there was also a small vineyard planted to Perricone and Malvasia Nera and an old olive grove the trees of which are now 100 years of age. The name "Il Censo" literally means "census" but in this instance most likely refers to the obligations of the tenant farmers to pay tribute to the landowning family, a system that dates back to feudal times. The name predates the Spoto time of ownership.
As has been the case so often, much of the agricultural activity at Il Censo was abandoned over the years. Gaetano met Giampiero Bea about 25 years ago and fell in love with the work the Bea family was doing in Montefalco. Ultimately, Gaetano determined to reinvigorate the farming activity at Il Censo and, with the guidance of Giampiero, began by planting 5 hectares of vineyards split between the white Cataratto grape and the black Perricone variety. The vineyards are situated high on an undulating volcanic outcropping. An additional four hectares have recently been planted which will come into production between the 2015 and 2017 vintages. This newest planting regime includes Nero d'Avola and Malvasia Nera in addition to Cataratto and Perricone.
The olive grove has also been revived and is now producing about 500 liters of a certified organic, unfiltered extra virgin olive oil, small quantities of which will make its way into our hands for the US market.
The entire agricultural enterprise is managed organically. Vinification is conducted under the principles developed by Giampiero Bea.
