2018 Mille e Una Notte, Donnafugata, Sicily, Italy
OVERVIEW
The star of the Donnafugata stable, and some argue the best red of Sicily, the phenomenal Mille e Una Notte is a showstopper in every vintage that makes the very most of this iconic terroir. Probably the most sumptuously delicious Nero d'Avola and one of the best kept secrets in the world of wine. Give this wine a couple more years of bottle age and a long swirl in the decanter for optimum results.
CRITIC REVIEWS (2017 Vintage - 2018 Falstaff - 95 Points)
The enticing nose of blackcurrant, blackberry, cardamon and anise with hints of old balsamic vinegar and smoke, pulls you into this very Mediterranean red. In spite of the serious tannin structure and rather dry palate, it's beautifully proportioned. Complex dried-lemon and caper character at the long, precise finish. Drinkable now, but best from 2023. 94 Points. James Suckling (June 2021)
The Donnafugata 2017 Sicilia Mille e Una Notte is a modern and contemporary wine that piggybacks on the scorching heat and drought of the vintage to offer even more concentration and richness. Black fruit aromas of blackberry preserves and blackcurrant segue to spice, tar and tobacco over a generous, full-bodied texture. Nero d'Avola is blended with smaller parts Petit Verdot, Syrah and other complementary grapes. The wine registers a 13.5% alcohol content, but it feels like more. I suggest a ten-year drinking window for this vintage (with 70,000 bottles made). 93 Points. Wine Advocate (July 2021)
FOOD PAIRING INSPIRATION
A beast for the BBQ, bring this along to the family or work BBQ and you'll be everyone's best friend! This wine will also pair well with most beef dishes and will stand up to all varieties of steaks.
VINTAGE AND WINEMAKING
In Contessa Entellina, where the vineyards for this wine lie, in the heart of western Sicily, after two dry vintages, 2018 was a vintage with more rainfall, with 743 mm of rainfall compared to the average of 667 mm. Most of the rainfall occurred in spring, while in summer there was intense rainfall in some areas of the estate. Careful management of the agronomic practices, from pruning to cluster thinning and the choice of different harvesting times, allowed us to have healthy and well-ripened grapes. The harvest was therefore in line with the qualitative objectives of the winery oriented towards precious small productions.
The harvest concluded on 26/9 with harvesting in the last Nero d’Avola vineyards.
PRODUCER NOTES
The highly memorable labels of Donnafugata match well to the company ethos and unique craftsmanship that go into each and every one of these wines. Benefitting from the explosion of interest in Sicily in the early '00s, along with Planeta and Banfi, Donnafugata have gone from strength to strength internationally where their labels are highly sough after for the wine in bottle as well as the Instagram opportunity!
With vineyards across Sicily, Donnafugata offer a great barometers to the quality of any vintage for the entire island.
Sustainability is a policy followed very seriously at Donnafugata wines. Minimising the use of chemical fertilisers, cluster thinning techniques and maximising the use of natural resources are some steps that the team makes in this aspect.
Donnafugata wines are created with the grapes sourced from regions such as Contessa Entellina, Pantelleria, Vittoria, Etna and Marsala. Close to 283 hectares are used for cultivating the vines. The diverse climatic conditions, soil quality and the terroirs of these places make them ideal for growing certain indigenous varietals such as Ansonica, Grecanico, Nero d’Avola, Grillo and Catarratto.
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SERVICE AND STORAGE TIPS
We recommend this wine undergoes at least 3 hours decanting and should be ideally stored around 12°C and served between 16-18°C.
DELIVERY INFORMATION
Delivery is free when you spend over £150. For orders under this amount then a £9.99 delivery charge will be applied.
We use a tracked DPD delivery service who provide text and email tracking updates.
Every bottle sold by CoolerSomm is subject to our quality guarantee. If a wine is corked or faulty, we will replace it.
2018 Mille e Una Notte, Donnafugata, Sicily, Italy
| Wine Card | |
| Wine Producer | Donnafugata |
| Wine Region | Sicily |
| Wine Classification | Red Sicilia DOC |
| Wine Type | Red |
| Grape Variety | Nero d'Avola |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Vintage Quality | Good to Excellent - Parker |
| Maturity | For laying down |
| Body | Full Bodied |
| Sweetness | Dry |
| Alcohol % | 13.8% |
| Bottle Type | Bordeaux 75cl |
| Serving Temperature | 16-18°C |
| Food Pairing | Beef, Steak, Barbeque |
| Awards | 95 Points - Falstaff |
| 95 Points - Robert Parker |
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