In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninMedium acidityDryVery Long, Tobacco-Mineral finish

Aroma: ripe black cherry, dried fig, tobacco leaf, espresso

Palate: concentrated dark fruit, structured tannin, mineral warmth, long

Duca Enrico was Sicily's first landmark 100% Nero d'Avola: barrique-aged, structured and concentrated, it defined the modern Sicilian red wine archetype and remains a pillar of the island's wine history.

What it pairs with

  • Slow-roasted Sicilian lamb
    One of Sicily's oldest Nero d'Avola landmarks pairs naturally with the island's classic roast lamb.
  • Braised short ribs
    Firm tannin and concentrated dark fruit stand up to collagen-rich slow-cooked beef cuts.
  • Aged Ragusano DOP
    Tobacco and espresso notes complement the sharp crystalline character of aged Ragusano.

History

Duca Enrico was launched in 1984 as the first serious premium 100% Nero d'Avola bottled in Sicily. Before this wine, Nero d'Avola was used primarily for blending. Duca di Salaparuta named it for the title of the founding family and it opened the door to the Nero d'Avola revolution of the 1990s and 2000s.

  1. 1984 — First Duca Enrico: Sicily's first premium 100% Nero d'Avola
  2. 1997 — Duca di Salaparuta acquired by Illva Saronno; production continues under same label

Facts

Producer
Duca di Salaparuta (Corvo)
Grapes
Nero d'Avola (100%)
Classification
Sicilia DOC
Oak
Aged in French barriques, 12-14 months
ABV
14.0%
Price
EUR 30-45 at retail
Drinking window
5-18 from vintage
First vintage
1984

Tags

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