Curatolo Arini 2012 Marsala Superiore Secco “Riserva”
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Here we have dry Marsala with loads of intensity and flavor thanks to ten years of aging
Varietal Composition: 60% Grillo, 30% Cataratto, and 10% Inzolia
Elaboration: Destemming, maceration and fermentation at controlled temperature of 20-25C° in stainless steel vats for approx. 7 days with frequent delestages. When all the sugars are developed, skin maceration continues for another 7 days for optimal tannin extraction, very important for the ageing process. Fortification is done adding alcohol up to 18% followed by mistella and cooked must. Ageing in Slavonian casks, French and American barriques and tonneaux.
Tasting Notes: With an intense nose of bitter almonds, dates, raisins, and vanilla. The Superiore Riserva is soft, elegant and full bodied on the palate with wonderful hints of dried fruit. Served chilled it is ideal as an aperitif. Great match for strong cheeses like aged Pecorino, Gorgonzola, Stilton, or Sicilian desserts.
PRESS
NV – 92 Wine Spectator | 91 Vinous | 90 Decanter
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
We’ve long had passion for Marsala wine, and Curatolo Arini is the oldest family owned Marsala producer in Sicily, a venerable house with 135 years under its belt across four generations. Roberto and Sergio Curatolo, the grandson and great-grandson of founder Vito Curatolo, now run the day to day operations here, and Alberto Antonini serves as a consultant.
Curatolo Arini’s distinctive Marsala labels are exactly the same as originally designed 100 years ago by Ernesto Basile, an artist known as the father of the Sicilian “Liberty Style” aka Art Nouveau.
The family operates two separate facilities – One in Marsala which is filled door to door with large Slavonian oak barrels and used for all of their white and fortified wines, and a gorgeous, more contemporary facility in Caltanissetta where they craft all of their dry reds.