This Frappato is an heirloom varietal that hails from a family who’s been toiling in this special corner of Sicily for centuries. Although the Consenza Family first founded the estate in the 1700’s, the land itself has been cultivated with vines and olive groves since the feudal period. An ancient wooden press and oil mill remain as relics of the special site’s bygone era, but tradition is still pumping through the family’s veins. Ignazio Consenza first began bottling wines in-house for the commercial market in the early 1980’s under the Poggio di Bortolone label, which is named for the estate’s picturesque site atop a small hill in southeastern Sicily. Today, his son, Pierluigi, is at the helm of the estate. Father and son strive to ensure that viticulture and winemaking embrace traditions of the past while utilizing modern equipment and technology.
Situated near the charming village of Chiaramonte Gulfi in the southeastern province of Ragusa, the estate is nestled amidst undulating hills between the Hyblaean Mountains and the Gela Plains, which are framed by the Para Para and Mazzarronello Rivers. This advantageous location delivers a natural oasis and a thriving, bio-diverse ecosystem for the vineyards. The Mediterranean climate combined with the dry Sicilian spring and summers as well as serious diurnal shifts (cold nights combined with warm days) make for an ideal environment for the native Frappato varietal. Yields are kept incredibly low, which results in optimal concentration in the grapes. This 2015 Frappato is rooted in sandy, iron-rich soils at a southwestern aspect over 260 meters in elevation. The grapes are fermented in climate-controlled vessels for eighteen days. The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in stainless steel where it ages for three months then is bottled and cellar-aged for an additional two months before release. The result is a pristine expression of Frappato that maintains freshness and varietal purity.
The 2015 Frappato displays a highly reflective ruby core with light ruby reflections on the rim. The nose recalls an afternoon of picking wild berries in a cool, fresh forest. Aromas of strawberry, raspberry, and dried orange peel are infused with a complex wild herb bouquet garni and delicate perfume that is hard to come by outside of Burgundy. The medium-bodied palate delivers silky tannins that glide across the tongue through a mid-palate of stone and sand minerality then concludes with a refreshing finish that prompts you to pour glass after glass. This wine is peaking now and should remain in ideal form over the next three years. However, we recommend that you enjoy at least a few bottles now to experience the pristine nature of its youthful, supple fruit. Simply decant for twenty minutes then serve between 60-65 degrees in Burgundy stems. Temperature is crucial to the perfect balance of this wine. If you do not have a cellar, simply place in the freezer or refrigerator to cool it down to the optimal temperature. If there is one Italian red wine that shines with fish, it is Frappato. Although this wine is wonderful with duck, chicken, and even delicate Cantonese cuisines, I recommend grilling this
recipe for whole fish over an open fire with roasted vegetables for a pairing that will transport you to Sicily via your tastebuds.
