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Az. Ag. Francesco Guccione

regional map for Az. Ag. Francesco GuccioneBase map data ©2017 GeoBasis-DE/BKG (©2009), Google

Nestled in the Sicilian highlands 40 kilometers southwest of Palermo, the tiny domain of winemaker Francesco Guccione is both a voyage of discovery and study in splendid isolation. Here, at nearly 500 meters altitude, in the shadow of Mount Kumeta, the 'lone wolf' of the Belice Valley tends his terre brune soils naturally, by hand—‘tutto fatto a mano’—in keeping with traditions that have distinguished this remote but historic outpost, Contrada Cerasa, for more than two centuries.

Guccione maintains 6 hectares under vine, as well as another four given over to ancient Sicilian grains, vegetables and livestock, on land that has been in his family for four generations. Local varieties Trebbiano, Catarratto Lucido, Nerello Mascalese and Perricone were planted via selection massale, with the oldest vines dating from 1985. Farming is done organically and regeneratively, in keeping with the biodynamic principles. Cellar practices are likewise non-interventionist and according to natural precepts, and wines are bottled and released only when they are deemed 'ready'—often after several years aging—resulting in soulful wines of great purity, classicism and rugged elegance. To paraphrase British wine writer Andrew Jefford: 'If doggedness in the vineyards and humility in the cellar are vital to making wines of consequence', then these are highly consequential wines.

    White Wine
    Az. Ag. Guccione 'C' 2017 bottle

    Az. Ag. Guccione 'C' 2017

    ItalySicily 12.0% ABV

    12.0% ABV

    Produced from a single-hectare plot of Catarratto Lucido grown at high altitude, this wine is fermented with native yeasts and is aged in stainless steel for two years prior to bottling. It received an additional four years of bottle aging prior to release. Delicate, powerful and expressly mineral—with notes of grilled apricot, beeswax, marjoram and clove—this elegant, soulful wine can be enjoyed thru 2030 and beyond. Full details

    Az. Ag. Guccione 'C' 2017 label
    Az. Ag. Guccione 'T - 12/5' 2012 bottle

    Az. Ag. Guccione 'T - 12/5' 2012

    ItalySicily 14.0% ABV

    14.0% ABV

    Produced from a 2.8-hectare plot of old-vine Trebbiano—grown in isolated pockets in the Sicilian highlands southwest of Palermo since the 15th century——this extraordinary wine was fermented with native yeasts and was aged in traditional 3000L Mittelberger tini for five years prior to bottling. It was rested in bottle for six additional years prior to release. This is a complex, glowing, geologic wine—autumn in a glass—with lambent notes of apple tart, beeswax, porcini mushroom, almond paste and jasmine. Enjoy through 2040 and beyond. Full details

    Az. Ag. Guccione 'T - 12/5' 2012 label
    Az. Ag. Guccione 'T' 2017 bottle

    Az. Ag. Guccione 'T' 2017

    ItalySicily 13.0% ABV

    13.0% ABV

    Produced from a single vineyard, 2.8-hectare plot of old-vine Trebbiano—grown in isolated pockets in the Sicilian highlands southwest of Palermo since the 15th century—this wine is fermented with native yeasts and aged in stainless steel for two years prior to bottling. Its lengthy elevage prior to release—nearly six years—results in a wine of compelling mineral savor, with notes of stone fruit, orange blossom and mountain herbs, roasted nuts and sea salt. Elegant and searching, this wine can be enjoyed thru 2030. Full details

    Az. Ag. Guccione 'T' 2017 label
    Red Wine
    Az. Ag. Guccione 'NM' 2018 bottle

    Az. Ag. Guccione 'NM' 2018

    ItalySicily 13.5% ABV

    13.5% ABV

    Produced from a single-hectare plot of Nerello Mascalese grown at high altitude on the region's famed terre brune soils, this wine was fermented with native yeasts and aged in stainless steel for two years prior to bottling. It received an additional three years of bottle aging prior to release. Elegant and savory, it gives compelling new expression to Sicily’s most celebrated red grape, with notes of black cherry, raspberry, sweet earth and spices, underscored by a haunting mineral savor. Enjoy thru 2040. Full details

    Az. Ag. Guccione 'NM' 2018 label
    Az. Ag. Guccione 'NM' 2017 bottle

    Az. Ag. Guccione 'NM' 2017

    ItalySicily 13.0% ABV

    13.0% ABV

    Produced from a single-hectare plot of Nerello Mascalese grown at high altitude on the region's famed terre brune soils, this wine was fermented with native yeasts and aged in stainless steel for two years prior to bottling. It received an additional three years of bottle aging prior to release. Elegant and savory, it gives compelling new expression to Sicily’s most celebrated red grape, with notes of black cherry, raspberry, sweet earth and spices, underscored by a haunting mineral savor. Enjoy thru 2040. Full details

    Az. Ag. Guccione 'NM' 2017 label
    Az. Ag. Guccione 'P' 2018 bottle

    Az. Ag. Guccione 'P' 2018

    ItalySicily 12.5% ABV

    12.5% ABV

    This wine is produced from a single-hectare plot of Perricone, one of Italy's rarest grape varieties, found only in limited quantities in northwestern Italy, from Palermo to Marsala. Aromatic, elegant and exuberant, with notes of black currant, blood orange, violet and sage, it was fermented with native yeasts and aged for two years prior to bottling. It received an additional three years of bottle aging prior to release. A benchmark expression, this wine confirms Guccione as one of Perricone’s foremost interpreters and champions of Perricone and can be enjoy thru 2040. Full details

    Az. Ag. Guccione 'P' 2018 label
    Az. Ag. Guccione 'V' 2019 bottle

    Az. Ag. Guccione 'V' 2019

    ItalySicily 14.5% ABV

    14.5% ABV

    Produced from contiguous, single-vineyard plots of Trebbiano, Catarratto Lucido, Nerello Mascalese and Perricone grown at high altitude, the grapes were co-fermented with native yeasts and the resulting wine aged in stainless steel for two years prior to bottling. It received an additional two years of bottle aging prior to release. Elegant and savory, this wine is in the tradition of Italian cerasuoli—rostato wines that in fact appear to be light red—and gives compelling expression to the terroir of Contrada Cerasa, with notes of tart cherry, raspberry, sweet earth and spices, underscored by a haunting mineral savor. Age worthy, it can be enjoyed thru 2035. Full details

    Az. Ag. Guccione 'V' 2019 label