Zisola ‘Azisa’ Grillo 2021

Producer Information

The Zisola estate is the Mazzei family’s most recent investment and is located in south-eastern Sicily, the home of Nero d’Avola, about 1 km outside the magnificent town of Noto which is celebrated for its Baroque architecture. There are two “baglio” buildings on the site which form the centre of around 50 hectares of bush-trained vines (20ha in total) interspersed with olives, citrus trees and almonds.

Vineyards

24 hectares of vineyards medium texture, highly calcareous and rocky soil
Altitude: 60 to 130 mt
Climate: typical of a Mediterranean island. The vines enjoy a west/southwest exposure and benefit from a steady sea breeze, which cools the vineyards during the hot summer days and warms the land in the winter.
Grapes: Nero d’Avola, Grillo, Catarratto, Syrah, Petit Verdot
Density: 5.500 plants per hectare fully trained as “alberello” (bush) training system from highly calcareous soil and organic agriculture.

Grapes have always been grown organically without any use of pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers. Fertilization of the soils is managed through green manures, by mechanically turning the wild herbs and the re-use of biological waste to compost. Currently in conversion; starting from 2023, Zisola estate will be officially certified as organic.

 

Winemaking

The small but efficient cellar is equipped with temperature controlled stainless steel vats. After harvest, the grapes are gently pressed and fermented at cool temperatures of around 15°C to ensure that the aromatic compounds of the grapes are retained.

Vintage Information

The hot, dry summer contributed to delaying the harvest until September, with much milder temperatures and better air quality, thanks to some long-awaited and much-needed rainfall.

In terms of the weather and wine profile, it is very reminiscent of the unequivocal 2014 vintage. Very elegant wines obtained with extremely impressive structure and good body. A balance achieved over the years through the confluence of plant soil and climate, also evolves in 2021 heralding plenty of satisfaction.

Beginning of the harvest: August 26th, 2021

End of the harvest: October 5th, 2021

Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 83 mm

Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 4.286 °C

Evaluation: Very Good

Produuction: 30.000 bottles

Tasting Note

Vibrant lemon yellow in colour with attractive aromas of ripe citrus fruits, delicate florals and a hint of tropical fruit. On the palate the wine is fresh with a lovely dry zesty finish.

Food Pairing

Great with salads, seafood pasta dishes, grilled fish or vegetables.

Press

James Suckling 91 points

Falstaff 90 points

Winecritic 90 points

Noto, Sicily
100% Grillo

Biodegradable Normacorc
13.00%
6.50 g/l
Yes
Yes

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