Pianogrillo 2022 Cerasuolo di Vittoria Curva Minore

The rules for making Cerasuolo di Vittoria call for a blend of Nero d’Avola (50-70%) and Frappato (30-50%); in practice this means a fair range of style depending on the proportion of the richer Nero d’Avola to the more airy Frappato. The house blend at each producer isn’t necessarily fixed – at Pianogrillo allowance is made for what the growing season provides, but the target there is 50% Nero d’Avola to 50% Frappato. My benchmark Cerasuolo di Vittoria comes from COS; the Pianogrillo is one of very few I’ve tasted of similar quality. It’s aged in large, 25HL barrels of Slavonian oak (and some 500L barrels of Etna chestnut), which may account for the slightly more muscular results (v. COS’ amphora aging). Even so, the Pianogrillo Cerasuolo is light-to-medium body with a lot of depth and rustic charm, with fresh black cherry and pomegranate fruit, good lift and energy.