My fascination with Sicily continues 20/05/2012 (TNB)

• Grillo, Erice DOC 2009 (Cantina Ericina) Grillo is mainly used in Marsala, but here is made in to a dry white. It has a very attractive, almost mineral character with a little tannin too. There does seem to be a lot of interesting stuff made in Sicily. Very attractive. Even perhaps.
• Rosso Cappuccio 2009 (Calabretta) Mouthwatering acidity, lifted red fruits and a lovely nimble yet dense palate. Cappuccio is a native Sicilian grape, apparently. Lovely wine with a lot of individuality. Top at least.

Misc at home 14/05/2012 (TNB)

• Sauvignon 2005 (Kante) Like all Kante's whites, very pure and precise. Understated, in the Italian way with whites. Delicious - full of varietal character without that in-your-face gooseberry that can be so tiresome.
• Terrano 2004 (Kante) Very high-toned with very high but altogether attractive acidity. This won't be everyone's glass of wine but I find it a lovely refreshing glass of red. Very classy fruit quality too. One to buy a bit more of.
• Sassaia 2009 (La Biancare di Angiolini Maule) Natural wine: I have a love-hate relationship with it. I thought on opening this would be a "hate" because it is distinctly fizzy and quite a lot of that familiar apple aroma of "natural" whites. But with decanting the fizz clears and the apples don't have any of that almost volatile quality that sometimes appears. Instead, with this one I became keener and keener on it with drinking. One of those that makes the case for the idea that in this sort of wine one tastes grapes as opposed to conventional ones where one tastes winemaking. I remain a little ambivalent, but let's say
• Meursault Les Tillets 2004 (Roulot) Back to the mainstream, but very good indeed. Definite minerality and light on its feet, as usual for Roulot. Lovely. Top