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 interspersed with olives, citrus trees and almonds.
The Nero d’Avola “cru”, from the three best single estate parcels rigorously bush trained. It comes from an organic viticulture (in conversion) combined with a sartorial work to best express the biodiversities of these three parcels. Naturally fermented and unfiltered.
The vineyards are located at 130 metres above sea level with a south eastern exposure. The vines are free standing ‘alberello’ bush vines, planted at a density of 5,550 vines per hectare and the soil is calcareous. Doppiozeta is the flagship wine of the estate, with its sartorial viticulture through the selection of grapes, exclusively of Nero d’Avola, coming from the 3 best parcels Piscina, Sopra Navel and Mandorleto, adjacent to the historical “Baglio”. Vineyards age; 11 – 16 years
The small but efficient cellar is equipped with temperature controlled stainless steel vats. After harvest, the grapes are gently pressed. Maceration lasts for approximately two weeks. The unique style is related to a natural fermentation in small stainless steel tanks for 30 days, without any addition of yeast or temperature control, to continue the spontaneous malolactic fermentation in oak. The ageing lasts over 16 months in tonneaux (50% new), to follow with the finissage for over 4 month in concrete tanks.
Winter temperatures were lower than average, with some frosts and a moderate amount of rain which gave the plants a healthy start. Mild spring temperatures aided vegetative growth and fruit set, which ended with the onset of heat on 3 June. It was an atypical summer for Sicily, with unstable temperatures that at times soared above 40°C (104°F) but also dropped off sharply at night, and constant light showers. This pushed the harvest back to ten days later than in previous years. The end result, however, was very satisfactory: a range of elegant wines fully in line with Zisola’s qualitative standards.
Beginning of the harvest: September 4th
End of the harvest: October 14th
Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 185 mm
Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 4108 °C
Evaluation: Good
Intense, pronounced spices and fruit flavours, powerful and elegant texture
Pairs well with hearty casseroles and meaty pasta sauces. Also excellent with roasted meats, spicy stews, aged cheeses.
Serve at 14°C.
Robert Parker 93 Pts
Falstaff 93 Pts
Noto, Sicily
100% Nero d’Avola
Natural Cork
13.49%
6.47%
Yes
Yes
