Feudo Maccari Saia Sicily 2019 750ml
DescriptionThe 2019 Saia from Feudo Maccari represents the pinnacle of Nero d'Avola, Sicily's noble red grape variety, from one of the island's most prestigious estates. Located in the Val di Noto in southeastern Sicily, where ancient soils and perfect Mediterranean conditions create an ideal environment for viticulture, Feudo Maccari has crafted a wine that showcases the extraordinary potential of Nero d'Avola when treated with the respect usually reserved for international varieties. This single-vineyard selection represents the estate's finest expression of Sicilian winemaking.
The wine presents an intense, almost opaque ruby-purple color that immediately signals its concentration. The nose is profoundly complex, offering layers of ripe black cherry, blackberry, and fig, interwoven with notes of dark chocolate, espresso, Mediterranean herbs, and sweet spices. The Sicilian character shines through with hints of orange zest, licorice, and volcanic minerality. As the wine opens, additional notes emerge: leather, tobacco, dried violets, and a subtle balsamic quality that adds sophistication. The aromatic intensity is matched by remarkable elegance and definition.
On the palate, Saia delivers an experience that redefines what Nero d'Avola can achieve. The texture is luxuriously rich and velvety, with massive yet perfectly ripe tannins that provide structure without aggression. The fruit concentration is extraordinary – liqueur-like black cherry and plum – balanced by fresh acidity and complex savory notes. Mid-palate, flavors of dark chocolate, espresso, black olive tapenade, and dried herbs add layers of complexity. Despite the obvious power, there's a gracefulness that speaks to meticulous winemaking and exceptional terroir.
Feudo Maccari's approach with Saia involves obsessive attention to detail at every stage. Old vines, severely restricted yields, and hand selection of only the finest bunches create the foundation. Extended maceration extracts maximum complexity while maintaining elegance, and aging in carefully selected French oak adds structure and polish without overwhelming the fruit. The result is a Nero d'Avola that can stand alongside the world's greatest reds, offering both power and finesse in perfect harmony.
The finish is exceptionally long and evolving, with waves of dark fruit, chocolate, spice, and mineral notes that seem to reverberate for minutes. This is a wine built for contemplation and long aging – while showing impressively now with decanting, it has the structure and balance to evolve magnificently over the next 15-20 years.
For collectors and enthusiasts seeking the pinnacle of Sicilian winemaking, this 2019 Saia represents an essential acquisition. It demonstrates that with vision, dedication, and exceptional terroir, Nero d'Avola can produce wines of profound complexity and ageability that challenge preconceptions about the variety's potential.