Le Casematte
Faro Nerello Mascalese Blend
Sicily, Italy
The 2017 Faro captivates the senses with a darkly alluring bouquet of ripe plums, rich brown spice and hints of cacao and tobacco. This is silky and pliant in feel, motivated by brisk acids, as a display of mineral-tinged black fruits and savory herbs fleshes out across the palate. A subtle coating of fine tannin frames the expression nicely as the 2017 finishes with persistence, resonating on inner earth notes and florals and a hint of blueberry skins and sour citrus. This is gorgeous today, yet it also possesses medium-term cellaring potential. Le Casematte Faro is a blend of 55% Nerello Mascalese, 25% Nerello Cappuccio, 10% Nocera and 10% Nero d’Avola. (Eric Guido, Vinous, June 2021)
The 2017 Faro captivates the senses with a darkly alluring bouquet of ripe plums, rich brown spice and hints of cacao and tobacco. This is silky and pliant in feel, motivated by brisk acids, as a display of mineral-tinged black fruits and savory herbs fleshes out across the palate. A subtle coating of fine tannin frames the expression nicely as the 2017 finishes with persistence, resonating on inner earth notes and florals and a hint of blueberry skins and sour citrus. This is gorgeous today, yet it also possesses medium-term cellaring potential. Le Casematte Faro is a blend of 55% Nerello Mascalese, 25% Nerello Cappuccio, 10% Nocera and 10% Nero d’Avola. (Eric Guido, Vinous, June 2021)
See previous notes from October 2017 and August 2018. Red fruited with Cherry, Raspberry and Strawberry notes - very mineral. On the palate just medium weight, with a note of tomato sauce, very savoury with some tannic grip. A touch of Brettanomyces (not unusual in a Sicilian red) but not a deal breaker. The French Oak barrel influence is totally integrated. Was a good match with Pasta. Would buy Faro again although I think I preferred this wine in its youth. Was a standout on our Sicilian trip several years ago.
See previous notes from October 2017 and August 2018. Red fruited with Cherry, Raspberry and Strawberry notes - very mineral. On the palate just medium weight, with a note of tomato sauce, very savoury with some tannic grip. A touch of Brettanomyces (not unusual in a Sicilian red) but not a deal breaker. The French Oak barrel influence is totally integrated. Was a good match with Pasta. Would buy Faro again although I think I preferred this wine in its youth. Was a standout on our Sicilian trip several years ago.
Jan 14th, 2021From the recently revived viticultural area of Faro in the north eastern tip of Sicily near Messina and not far from Mt Etna. Light to mid crimson in colour. Earthy savoury mineral notes with smoky red cherry. Light to medium bodied palate with a skinnsy note. A blend of the 2 Nerellos of Etna fame plus Nocera and Nero d’Avola - Sicily in a bottle! Not as wow as when I had it in Sicily but still impressive.
From the recently revived viticultural area of Faro in the north eastern tip of Sicily near Messina and not far from Mt Etna. Light to mid crimson in colour. Earthy savoury mineral notes with smoky red cherry. Light to medium bodied palate with a skinnsy note. A blend of the 2 Nerellos of Etna fame plus Nocera and Nero d’Avola - Sicily in a bottle! Not as wow as when I had it in Sicily but still impressive.
Aug 3rd, 2018
Again people, run if you see a Faro blend, this was just a colt but will be a stallion in a few years - the blend of these grapes and metamorphic soils of this area make these wines sing - herbal nose with a refined medium palette of ripe cherries and a solid mineral finish.
Again people, run if you see a Faro blend, this was just a colt but will be a stallion in a few years - the blend of these grapes and metamorphic soils of this area make these wines sing - herbal nose with a refined medium palette of ripe cherries and a solid mineral finish.
1 person found it helpfulDec 23rd, 2017Still catching up with my Sicilian notes and this was a cracking Wine - one of the highlights for me. A red blend of Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappucio (60%) plus Nocero and Nero d’Avola. Funky savoury brilliant aromas. The 2 Nerellos much like Pinot Noir. Light to medium bodied, sappy, dry and delicious. Could be a Grand Or Premier Cru Burgundy 160 Hectares DOC; 7 producers in total. Buy some!
Still catching up with my Sicilian notes and this was a cracking Wine - one of the highlights for me. A red blend of Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappucio (60%) plus Nocero and Nero d’Avola. Funky savoury brilliant aromas. The 2 Nerellos much like Pinot Noir. Light to medium bodied, sappy, dry and delicious. Could be a Grand Or Premier Cru Burgundy 160 Hectares DOC; 7 producers in total. Buy some!
1 person found it helpfulOct 17th, 2017
Great nose, less energy on the palate
Great nose, less energy on the palate
Oct 27th, 2015
Light dry red with a nice level of tannin and a hint of sage.
Light dry red with a nice level of tannin and a hint of sage.
Mar 17th, 2019
2014 La Casematte Faro (88 pts) #winereview - Extremely aromatic nose. Raspberries and red cherries on the nose. There are definite herbal notes of rosemary and thyme that took time to come out in the glass, but are now front and center. Subtle hints of ink as well. Medium- body, the palate starts with bright red fruit and fades into almost a sweet cherry tomato flavor with the herbal notes on the finish. The inky note is still present and I am wondering if it is from the Nero d'avola in the blend although minor. This is not as elegant as some Faros that I have tasted, but given how tiny the appellation is my reference points are few and far between. #wineterroir #wine #winelover #winegeek #winetasting
2014 La Casematte Faro (88 pts) #winereview - Extremely aromatic nose. Raspberries and red cherries on the nose. There are definite herbal notes of rosemary and thyme that took time to come out in the glass, but are now front and center. Subtle hints of ink as well. Medium- body, the palate starts with bright red fruit and fades into almost a sweet cherry tomato flavor with the herbal notes on the finish. The inky note is still present and I am wondering if it is from the Nero d'avola in the blend although minor. This is not as elegant as some Faros that I have tasted, but given how tiny the appellation is my reference points are few and far between. #wineterroir #wine #winelover #winegeek #winetasting
Jan 9th, 2017