In the glass
Aroma: dried cherry, tobacco, spice, iron mineral
Palate: concentrated dark fruit, firm tannic structure, mineral depth, very long finish
Sicily's most historic prestige red: Tasca's Rosso del Conte blends Nero d'Avola with Perricone from the Regaleali plateau, aged two years in large oak. It is the island's longest-established benchmark for structured, age-worthy Sicilian reds.
What it pairs with
-
Slow-roasted whole lamb
Only a wine of this structure can stand up to a whole slow-roasted lamb at the Regaleali estate. -
Aged Sicilian cheeses
High tannin and acidity are the classic structural match for the concentrated aged-cheese board. -
Wild boar with chestnuts
The wine's tobacco-mineral depth and dense fruit complement game with earthy accompaniments.
How to serve Tasca d'Almerita Rosso del Conte
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-roasted whole lamb, Aged Sicilian cheeses, Wild boar with chestnuts. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Rosso del Conte has been produced at Regaleali since 1970, with over five decades of continuous bottling. Lucio Tasca d'Almerita created it when Sicilian fine wine barely existed as a category, drawing on the plateau's native Nero d'Avola and the nearly extinct Perricone grape. It remains the signature red of Regaleali.
- 1970 — First Rosso del Conte produced at Regaleali (1970); an early modern Sicilian estate red
Facts
- Producer
- Tasca d'Almerita
- Grapes
- Nero d'Avola, Perricone
- Classification
- Contea di Sclafani DOC
- Oak
- Aged in large Slavonian oak casks, 24 months
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- EUR 45-70 at retail
- Drinking window
- 8-25 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1970
Frequently asked about Tasca d'Almerita Rosso del Conte
What does Tasca d'Almerita Rosso del Conte taste like?
On the nose, dried cherry, tobacco, spice, iron mineral. On the palate, concentrated dark fruit, firm tannic structure, mineral depth, very long finish. Structurally full-bodied, high tannins, high acidity with a very long, tobacco-iron finish. Sicily's most historic prestige red: Tasca's Rosso del Conte blends Nero d'Avola with Perricone from the Regaleali plateau, aged two years in large oak. It is the island's longest-established benchmark for structured, age-worthy Sicilian reds.
When should I drink Tasca d'Almerita Rosso del Conte?
Drink 8-25 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Tasca d'Almerita Rosso del Conte?
Slow-roasted whole lamb is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Aged Sicilian cheeses and Wild boar with chestnuts. Only a wine of this structure can stand up to a whole slow-roasted lamb at the Regaleali estate.
What grapes are in Tasca d'Almerita Rosso del Conte?
The blend is Nero d'Avola, Perricone. The wine is classified as Contea di Sclafani DOC.