In the glass
Aroma: black cherry jam, chocolate, coffee, cedar
Palate: concentrated dark fruit, velvety tannin, toasted oak, very long
Sagana is Cusumano's prestige single-vineyard Nero d'Avola from Riesi in central Sicily: opulent, concentrated and barrique-treated to produce a richly chocolate-dark wine of considerable structure.
What it pairs with
-
Slow-cooked lamb shoulder with olives
The opulence and structure of Sagana are matched by the richness of slow-cooked lamb. -
Aged Sicilian salami
Rich chocolate-coffee notes complement the spiced cured-meat character of Sicilian salami. -
Grilled bone-in ribeye
Only the most structured and concentrated red wines can stand up to dry-aged ribeye.
How to serve Cusumano Sagana
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Slow-cooked lamb shoulder with olives, Aged Sicilian salami, Grilled bone-in ribeye. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Sagana is Cusumano's single-vineyard Nero d'Avola from a specific Riesi parcel in the Caltanissetta province where the estate owns one of its best vineyards. It was designed from the outset as the flagship of the Cusumano range.
- 2001 — First Sagana from the Riesi single-vineyard Nero d'Avola
Facts
- Producer
- Cusumano
- Grapes
- Nero d'Avola (100%)
- Classification
- Sicilia DOC
- Oak
- Aged in French barriques (new and second-fill), 14 months
- ABV
- 15.0%
- Price
- EUR 28-42 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-15 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2001
Frequently asked about Cusumano Sagana
What does Cusumano Sagana taste like?
On the nose, black cherry jam, chocolate, coffee, cedar. On the palate, concentrated dark fruit, velvety tannin, toasted oak, very long. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, medium acidity with a very long, chocolate-cedar finish. Sagana is Cusumano's prestige single-vineyard Nero d'Avola from Riesi in central Sicily: opulent, concentrated and barrique-treated to produce a richly chocolate-dark wine of considerable structure.
When should I drink Cusumano Sagana?
Drink 5-15 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Cusumano Sagana?
Slow-cooked lamb shoulder with olives is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Aged Sicilian salami and Grilled bone-in ribeye. The opulence and structure of Sagana are matched by the richness of slow-cooked lamb.
What grapes are in Cusumano Sagana?
The blend is Nero d'Avola (100%). The wine is classified as Sicilia DOC.