Arianna Occhipinti, 'Il Frappato' Terre Siciliane, Sicily, Italy, 2022
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Overview of the Wine
Owner, winemaker, and viticulturist Arianna Occhipinti founded the estate in 2004, bottled her first commercial vintage in 2006 and today works exclusively with estate fruit. She began her career at 16 in her uncle Giusto Occhipinti’s cellar (of COS fame). Arianna loved the business enough to go to enology school. However, once there, she was disillusioned by the type of winemaking they were teaching, so she returned to the methods she observed while working with her uncle when it came time to establish her winery.
This 25-hectare vineyard on the southeastern coast of Sicily is certified organic. The winery sits between the Mediterranean and inland mountains in the Vittoria region. The vineyard is planted with native Sicilian varietals; Frappato and Nero d’Avola for reds and Albanello and Zibibbo for whites. While the farm is certified organic, they follow biodynamic practices. That means farming in conjunction and harmony with nature. For example, they use cover crops such as fava beans and other valuable plants to maintain moisture in the soil in this hot and windy place rather than irrigate the vines.
Organic and biodynamic.
Grape / Blend
Frappato
Origin
Sicily, Italy
Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Bright notes of black raspberries, red cherry compote and rose water jump out of the glass with touches of cinder, white pepper and hay in the background. The acid is energetic and moves along a gorgeous mineral-forward silky-juicy texture before a mild dusty tannic bite introduces a fruity, smoky, slightly salty and lengthy finish. Quite the achievement for a wine to be as quaffable or as cerebral as you want it to be.
94 Points - James Suckling
A succulent, precise, bright and lively frappato. The nose shows notes of forest berries, sour cherries, forest floor, pebbles and mild spices. It’s light- to medium-bodied with silky tannins. Polished and vivid with bright acidity. It’s agile, with so much succulence at the center. Mouthwatering and long. Drink or hold.
92+ Points - Vinous
The 2022 Il Frappato is an understated beauty. Blackberries and currants swirl up from the glass, accentuated by hints of incense and rubbed sage. This splashes across the palate, soft-textured and pliant, with crisp red and black fruits that flow across a core of tactile minerals and savory spice. A bump of zesty acidity maintains amazing freshness even as a tart wild berry tinge pinches at the cheeks through the long and tension-filled finale. I’d rather enjoy the 2022 alongside a meal than on its own, but I have a feeling that was Arianna Occhipinti’s intention. Drink: 2024-2029.
Product size: 750ml