Vitner’s Description:
This is a song for Sicily and for her extraordinary indigenous grapes. The wine is a joyful blend of the vogorous and exuberant Nero d’Avola and the rare and decisive Perricone. The colour is deep and intense ruby, and the seductive perfume is of exquisite red fruits, spices and summer woodlands. The taste is fascinating, rich and warm with soft and delicate tannins. Ribeca is a rare and elegant pleasure and is dedicated to all lovers everywhere.
Cooperage:
Fermentation and maturation in French, American and Russian barriques for 10 months.
Owner/Manager: Salvatore Di Gaetano
Winemaker: Giuseppe Pelligrino
Appellation: Firriato, Sicily
Vintage: 2002
Grape: 60% Nero d’Avola; 40% Perricone
Fabulous right now
Drinkable Score: 8.5/10
Price: $75 (Restaurant pricing)
I had this wine in San Francisco on a recommend from our server/wine steward. As a bonus, it turns out that Tuesday is “Half price Italian Wine Night” at The Last Supper on Valencia & 23rd! This wine is very fruit forward, not something one would attribute to an old world wine, however I’m told this is a distinguishing characteristic of Southern Italy. The wine is initially soft, changing to bigger and robust as it migrates across the palate. There is a presence of earthiness and tannins are mild. The result is a well balanced and very drinkable wine. We paired this wine with a rustic veal stew and halibut in a spicy tomato sauce, both were complimented beautifully by this Southern red. -EB
