Planeta Santa Cecilia Noto 2018

Brooding in the glass, the 2018 Santa Cecilia takes its time to develop its hauntingly alluring bouquet. Swirling unlocks depths of plum sauce and sage mixed with enriching notes of brown spice and, finally, a lifting hint of camphor. It boasts medium-bodied weight and the silkiest of textures, nearly glycerol in feel, as waves of ripe red and black fruits are offset by a twang of sour citrus that rings like a dinner bell amongst this sea of dark depths. Sweet tannins linger through the finale, leaving a classically dry but only lightly structured sensation, as hints of licorice and inner rose fade. The 2018 Santa Cecilia, a varietal Nero d'Avola from Noto, is a huge success from a difficult vintage. Sometimes I struggle with a score for a wine that is this atypical of the vintage, but plainly stated, the 2018 is a showstopper. Drinking window: 2023-2030. Score - 93. (Eric Guido, vinous.com, June 2022) 750 mL bottle