Wine Advocate – November 18, 2021

In “Italy, Sicily: An Island Nation of Wine,” Monica Larner reviews the following wines:

MORGANTE Don Antonio 2017 – 94 points

“The Morgante 2017 Sicilia Nero d’Avola Riserva Don Antonio enjoys a long history and is one of the bottles that put Sicily on the world wine map. Morgante was already bottling this top-shelf red decades ago when the island’s fine wine selection was limited to just a handful of bottles. Don Antonio is rich and concentrated, benefiting from the extra sunshine that characterized this hot vintage. Dark and black fruit segue to oak spice, toasted pistachio and exotic spice. The tannins are mild, and the wine delivers many soft layers of sun-ripened fruit.”

MORGANTE Nero d’Avola 2018 – 89 points

“The Morgante 2018 Sicilia Nero d’Avola is a smooth and soft rendition that reveals the ripe cherry aromas associated with the sun-drenched heart of the Mediterranean. Those dark fruit aromas are duly followed by scorched earth, black olive and toasted almond. This is a nicely put-together Sicilian red that drinks easily, especially with a snack of focaccia and prosciutto.”

MORGANTE Bianco di Morgante 2019 – 89 points

“This is a white wine made with red Nero d’Avola grapes, and it has no official appellation. The Morgante 2019 Bianco di Morgante opens to a white, transparent color that underlines the lack of skin contact or absorption of any color pigments during winemaking. The wine offers easy aromas of citrus, white peach and blanched almond. It’s all very simple, really, and easy drinking.”