Mandrarossa Cartagho Sicilia DOC 2020
Full-bodied red wine, crafted in a rich, modern, and fruit-forward yet structured Mediterranean style. · Mandrarossa is a notable premium brand established by Settesoli, one of Sicily's largest and most successful cooperatives based in Menfi. The brand focuses on expressing the diverse microclimates of southwestern Sicily, positioning itself as a boutique-style producer within a larger cooperative structure, celebrated for high-quality single-varietal and terroir-driven wines.
Vintage: 2020, a warm and balanced growing season in southwestern Sicily that yielded healthy, concentrated grapes with excellent ripeness, vibrant fruit flavors, and well-structured tannins, widely regarded as a successful vintage for Sicilian reds.
Type
Full-bodied red wine, crafted in a rich, modern, and fruit-forward yet structured Mediterranean style.
Producer
Mandrarossa is a notable premium brand established by Settesoli, one of Sicily's largest and most successful cooperatives based in Menfi. The brand focuses on expressing the diverse microclimates of southwestern Sicily, positioning itself as a boutique-style producer within a larger cooperative structure, celebrated for high-quality single-varietal and terroir-driven wines.
Country
Italy, an Old World wine powerhouse with millennia of winemaking history, strict DOC/DOCG classification systems, and incredible indigenous grape diversity spanning diverse microclimates from the Alps to the Mediterranean.
Vintage
2020, a warm and balanced growing season in southwestern Sicily that yielded healthy, concentrated grapes with excellent ripeness, vibrant fruit flavors, and well-structured tannins, widely regarded as a successful vintage for Sicilian reds.
Region & Appellation
Sicilia DOC, situated in the southwestern part of Sicily, Italy. Sicilia DOC covers the entire island, allowing producers to source grapes from optimal microclimates to produce wines that showcase the distinct sun-drenched Mediterranean character of the region.
Grape Varieties
100% Nero d'Avola, Sicily's flagship indigenous red grape, known for providing deep color, high alcohol, plush dark fruit flavors, and distinctive notes of wild herbs and Mediterranean scrub.
Color & Appearance
Deep, opaque ruby red with youthful purple highlights and thick, slow-moving legs that indicate high alcohol and extract levels.
Aroma Profile
Intense and complex nose featuring primary aromas of ripe black cherry, blackberry, and plum, complemented by secondary notes of sweet vanilla and cocoa from oak, alongside tertiary nuances of Mediterranean herbs, licorice, and a hint of balsamic.
Tasting Notes
A powerful and harmonious palate entry that opens with lush dark fruit, evolving into a mid-palate rich with spices and velvety textures, leading to a long, warming, and satisfying finish marked by persistent fruit and a touch of savory minerality.
Flavor Profile
Dominated by rich blackberry, black plum, and dark cherry compote, intertwined with non-fruit flavors of sweet tobacco, dark chocolate, Mediterranean herbs, black pepper, and subtle toasted oak.
Body & Texture
Full-bodied with a rich, velvety, and plush mouthfeel, boasting high concentration and extract that coats the palate smoothly without feeling heavy.
Acidity & Tannins
Medium-high, refreshing acidity that balances the wine's considerable warmth and lush fruit, paired with ripe, fine-grained, and supple tannins that provide an elegant structural backbone.
Sweetness Level
Dry, with less than 3 g/L of residual sugar, though the perception of sweetness is heightened by the ripe, sun-kissed fruit character.
Alcohol Content
14.5% ABV, a standard high alcohol level for full-bodied Mediterranean reds, providing notable warmth and body to the palate.
Aging & Oak
Aged for approximately 12 to 14 months in oak barriques and tonneaux, followed by several months of bottle aging before release, imparting gentle notes of vanilla, spice, and soft toast while softening the robust tannins.
Food Pairings
Ideal with rich meat dishes such as grilled lamb chops, slow-roasted beef brisket, game meats, traditional Sicilian pasta alla Norma, and mature hard cheeses like aged Caciocavallo or Pecorino.
Serving Suggestions
Serve at 16-18°C (60-64°F) in a large Bordeaux-style red wine glass. Decanting for 30 to 60 minutes is recommended to allow the aromas to fully open up. Best enjoyed within 5 to 8 years of the vintage.
Price Range
Estimated retail price is between $25 and $35 USD, representing exceptional value for a top-tier, single-vineyard expression from Sicily.
Quality Assessment
Scored around 90-92 points by major wine critics, this premium wine is recognized for its consistency, depth, and faithful expression of Sicilian terroir, punching well above its price point.
Production Methods
Hand-harvested at optimal ripeness, destemmed and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with extended skin contact for maximum color and tannin extraction, followed by malolactic fermentation and oak maturation.
Terroir
Sourced from vineyard plots near Menfi with calcareous-clay soils and limestone subsoils, situated at moderate elevations benefiting from cool maritime breezes off the Mediterranean Sea that moderate the intense summer heat.
History & Heritage
Mandrarossa was created in 1999 following years of meticulous soil and microclimate research by Settesoli, transforming cooperative winemaking in Sicily by identifying the absolute best plots for specific grape varieties.
Interesting Facts
The name 'Cartagho' pays homage to the ancient Carthaginian history of the region surrounding Menfi, reflecting the deep historical roots embedded in the Sicilian landscape.
Cellaring Potential
Enjoyable now upon release, but possesses strong cellaring potential and will continue to evolve gracefully through 2028 to 2030, developing more complex tertiary aromas of leather and forest floor.
Similar Wines
Planeta Santa Cecilia Nero d'Avola, Tasca d'Almerita Regaleali Tenuta Regaleali Nero d'Avola, Feudo Arancio Cantodoro, and Cusumano Sàgana.