Firriato, “SantAgostino” Baglio Soria Rosso 2019 (about $24)
Italian Wine for october, 2023
The Firriato winery was established in the mid-1980’s and so is by Sicilian standards a relative newcomer but has within this relatively short interval become one of Sicily’s premier wineries.
While headquartered in the Trapani area in the westernmost part of Sicily, Firriato also has vineyard holdings on Mount Etna and the small island of Favignana off Sicily’s west coast. Firriato can lay claim to state-of-the-art production and cellaring facilities.
Its total holdings collectively account for approximately 850 acres under vine – all of which are certified organic - so it’s not exactly a small-scale operation. The estate offers an expansive portfolio of dry red and white wines as well as some dessert-style wines using primarily indigenous varieties such as Nero d’Avola, Perricone and Zibibbo as well as a few international varieties such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.
Firriato’s 2019 “SantAgostino” Rosso is a 50-50 blend of 
Nero d’Avola and Syrah grapes hand-harvested from the estate’s Baglio Soria vineyard in the Trapani area. The grapes undergo a 10-day fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. The wine is then aged for 8 months in American oak barriques and 12 months in the bottle prior to release.
The 2019 “SantAgostino” has a medium-to-deep ruby-purple color and a gentle swishing of the wine glass releases a cascade of intense ripe cherry and plum aromas with a touch of some earthy spice notes. The mouthfeel is full, rich and silky-soft with ripe red and black fruit flavors, prominent but soft tannins and capped by a long, pleasant finish. This Nero d’Avola and Syrah blend ranks high on a quality-to-price basis.
With its ripe fruit flavors, muted tannins and 14 percent alcohol the 2019 “SanAgostino” Baglio Soria Rosso would be a welcome guest at most any dinner table, especially when grilled beef, lamb or pork are on the menu.
©Richard Marcis
October 6, 2023
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