Recently, the awards received by wines of our estates from important international wine critics were released and we would like to provide an overview of them. These include Robert Parker for Sicily, Luca Gardini's preview of Gran Selezione 2020, Jane Anson's in-depth article on Concerto di Fonterutoli and the recognition “Sustainable Winery Best Authenticity” received from “Le Guide de L’Espresso”.

With the unveiling of the new guide “I 1000 Vini d’Italia” 2023 of “Le Guide de L’Espresso”, curated by Luca Gardini, which showcases over 500 wineries and more than 1000 wines, awards were announced and conferred to wines that scored over 100 points, along with 60 recognitions for the wineries that stood out the most this year. Among these, the group Marchesi Mazzei with its 3 estates received the recognitions for “Best Sustainable Winery” in the authenticity category.

Now, let’s delve into some of the scores our wines achieved.

Doppiozeta 2019 – 93 Points Robert Parker

“Zisola has two vineyards with alberello, or bush-trained, Nero d'Avola vines that were planted next to one another back in 2005. With fruit from those sites, the 2019 Sicilia Noto Rosso Doppiozeta is a different wine from past editions thanks to tweaks in winemaking that are meant to underline elegance and to respect the territory (including phasing in new and different oak barrels for fine tannins), proprietor Filippo Mazzei explains. Harvest is earlier to obtain fruit freshness, and the wine sees an easy 20 days of skin contact. This vintage shows lots of pretty primary freshness, tart cherry, spice and crushed stone. “

Contrada Zisola 2021 – 92 Points Robert Parker

“Initially, the Mazzei family did not want to plant white grapes at their Sicilian property. Instead, they opted to highlight red wines from this dry and sunny corner of Sicily with long, rolling panoramas. That trend stops with this wine. The Zisola 2021 Catarratto Contrada Zisola is from bush-trained vines. After harvest and lasting until February, the wine sees some skin contact in amphorae made with aggregated concrete called "cocciopesto" in Italian. It is held back for an extra year before it is released. The wine shows nice width and depth on the palate with citrusy layers that recall cedro lemon peel sprinkled with salt. These help to enhance the wine’s pretty freshness. This is a terrific first effort for a new wine. Production is 6,000 bottles.”

Badiòla 2020 – 98+ Points Luca Gardini

“Oenological gem from the Romanesque Pieve di Badiòla. Three clones of Sangiovese, three from massal selection, nose with jammy berry notes, wild mint and gardenia, with iodine sensations. Salty-iodate on the palate, with a fruity-floral return and great crispness.”

Castello Fonterutoli 2020 – 96 Points Luca Gardini

“Another great Gran Selezione project for Castello di Fonterutoli. Sour cherry, touches of nettle and undergrowth, a nice iodine note on the finish, dense and compact mouthfeel, brackish tannins, finish with a fruity-oily return. Persistent.”

Concerto di Fonterutoli - Jane Anson

Vintage	Wine Name	Score
2011	Concerto di Fonterutoli	93
2013	Concerto di Fonterutoli	95
2015	Concerto di Fonterutoli	95
2016	Concerto di Fonterutoli	93
2017	Concerto di Fonterutoli	92
2018	Concerto di Fonterutoli	93
2019	Concerto di Fonterutoli	97
2020	Concerto di Fonterutoli	95
2021	Concerto di Fonterutoli	96