Arianna Occhipinti is from the Vittoria region of Southern Sicily. She has been making wine for ten years under the tutelage of her uncle, Giusto Occhipinti, who owns the well-known winery COS. She produces first rate wines from biodynamically grown local varieties such as Nero d’Avola and Frappato. In her mid-20s, Arianna already seems to know exactly what she wants to do with her life. She is the sort of driven young winemaker who is bound to be become an important figure in Sicilian wine.
Frappato is a local Sicilian red grape variety that always seems to yield wines are loaded with fresh raspberry aromatics. Arianna’s Frappato is already legendary — and that status is very well deserved.
Bright ruby, light-bodied — but darkly translucent. Lush floral aromatics with raspberry and a little basement and earthy funk on the nose. On the palate, loaded with raspberry, sour cherry and cranberry. Bright, fresh, pure and acidic. Stunning, lovable and delicious. Strongly recommended.
12.5% alcohol. Imported by Louis/Dressner Selections.
Related post:
Occhipinti SP68 Rosso Vittoria 2008
Oooh, I’ll have to look that one up.
Last week I had a 2007 frappato from Valle Dell’Acate. Similar flavors, not surprisingly. I really enjoyed its fresh fruit, medium body and relatively long, if not overly complex, finish. From time to time it reminded me of the Passopisciaro IGT – minus the depth, pepperiness or the big bite out of the wallet.
I think I had picked it up this spring at the Wine House in Los Angeles for about $18.
[…] Related post: Arianna Occhipinti Il Frappato Sicilia IGT 2006 […]
[…] picks for Thanksgiving: Arianna Occhipinti Il Frappato Sicilia IGT 2006 Jean & Agnes Foillard — Morgon Cuvée Corcelette Vieille Vigne 2007 Occhipinti SP68 Rosso […]
[…] Domaine Gramenon Sierra du Sud and La Segasse, the 2005 Basetti from Edmunds St John, the wines of Ariana Occhipinti and a number of 2007 […]
[…] posts: Arianna Occhipinti Il Frappato Sicilia IGT 2006 Occhipinti SP68 Rosso […]
As both Arianna and Giousto (of COS) was in town (Oslo) this week, we’ve thus far had an Occhipinti week. I find the 09 Il Frappato to be one of the more interesting wines around. Anywhere. A tad expensive, but if you compare the wine to a Burgundy or a mature nebbiolo, the price is not that high. There’s something very precise and pure about Arianna’s wines. And intriguing.
The full tasting notes, etc. here http://bit.ly/pQLXdM