In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninMedium acidityDryVery Long, Chocolate-Mineral finish

Aroma: black cherry, prune, dark chocolate, tobacco

Palate: concentrated dark fruit, firm tannin, mineral warmth, long finish

Santa Cecilia is Planeta's prestige single-estate Nero d'Avola from Noto: rich, structured and mineral with chocolate-dark-fruit depth and the long finish that defines this appellation.

What it pairs with

  • Grilled aged beef tagliata with rocket
    Concentrated dark fruit and firm tannin are the natural companions to dry-aged beef.
  • Slow-braised lamb shanks
    The wine's Noto heat and long finish match the richness of hours-slow-braised lamb.
  • Dark chocolate fondant
    The chocolate register in the wine makes this a bold dessert pairing.

How to serve Planeta Santa Cecilia

Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
  2. Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. Pair with. Grilled aged beef tagliata with rocket, Slow-braised lamb shanks, Dark chocolate fondant. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Planeta launched Santa Cecilia in 1997 from their Noto estate, drawing on the historic heartland of Nero d'Avola cultivation in south-east Sicily. It was among the wines that established Planeta as one of Italy's leading producers and Sicily as a serious fine-wine region.

  1. 1997 — First Santa Cecilia produced from Noto Nero d'Avola

Facts

Producer
Planeta
Grapes
Nero d'Avola (100%)
Classification
Noto DOC
Oak
Aged in French barriques, 12 months
ABV
14.5%
Price
EUR 28-40 at retail
Drinking window
5-15 from vintage
First vintage
1997

Frequently asked about Planeta Santa Cecilia

What does Planeta Santa Cecilia taste like?

On the nose, black cherry, prune, dark chocolate, tobacco. On the palate, concentrated dark fruit, firm tannin, mineral warmth, long finish. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, medium acidity with a very long, chocolate-mineral finish. Santa Cecilia is Planeta's prestige single-estate Nero d'Avola from Noto: rich, structured and mineral with chocolate-dark-fruit depth and the long finish that defines this appellation.

When should I drink Planeta Santa Cecilia?

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 Planeta Santa Cecilia?

Grilled aged beef tagliata with rocket is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Slow-braised lamb shanks and Dark chocolate fondant. Concentrated dark fruit and firm tannin are the natural companions to dry-aged beef.

What grapes are in Planeta Santa Cecilia?

The blend is Nero d'Avola (100%). The wine is classified as Noto DOC.

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