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) interspersed with olives, citrus trees and almonds.
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 of calcareous and mineral with medium texture.
The small but efficient cellar is equipped with temperature controlled stainless steel vats. After harvest, the grapes are gently pressed. Maceration lasts for approximately 14-16 days. Fermentation then takes place at 26-28°C. The wine is then aged for 10 months in 225 litre barriques (33% new) before bottling in September 2019.
Following a pattern set in recent years, rainfall levels in 2020 were very low. A period of cold at the beginning of the year aided vine dormancy and made for optimal pruning conditions.
Vegetative growth began in early March, almost two weeks earlier than average; this precocity continued through flowering and fruit set thanks to higher spring temperatures which persisted through the month of May.
The dry spell broke at the beginning of June with a few light showers which came just in time to replenish water supplies for the summer months. After two atypical years, summer fell back into a more normal rhythm for Sicily with very hot dry days and sharp temperature drops overnight. This pattern continued until the end of September, allowing bunches to mature fully and grapes to develop interesting aromatic properties.
The wines promise to be display prominent mineral notes, and to be pleasantly acidic.
Beginning of the harvest: August 27th
End of the harvest: September 30th
Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 174 mm
Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 4114 °C
Evaluation: Good
Well built, forest fruits and sunny orange peel flavors, long and layered taste.
Spicy fish soups, savoury pasta and rice dishes, grilled red meats and vegetables
James Suckling 92 points
Falstaff 91 points
Vinous 91 points
Wine Spectator 90 points
Top 100 Wine spectator n.38
Noto, Sicily
100% Nero d'Avola
Natural Cork
12.50%
5.80%
Yes
Yes
