Planeta Nero d'Avola Santa Cecilia 2022

Planeta Nero d'Avola Santa Cecilia 2022 is a benchmark Sicilian red that showcases Nero d’Avola in its purest, most elegant form. Sourced from the historic Noto area—the grape’s spiritual homeland—it balances Mediterranean richness with remarkable finesse and freshness. This is Planeta’s flagship Nero d’Avola, a wine that helped redefine Sicily’s reputation from bulk producer to serious fine-wine region.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Santa Cecilia 2022 shows a deep, vibrant ruby red with purple highlights at the rim. The nose is intense and refined, opening with dark cherries, blackberries and ripe plums, layered with notes of violets, dried Mediterranean herbs, licorice, tobacco leaf and a subtle hint of cocoa and sweet spice. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, polished and finely structured, with juicy, dark fruit at the core supported by fresh acidity and firm yet velvety tannins. Flavors of black cherry, blackberry and blood orange intermingle with savory notes of black olive, wild thyme and a touch of graphite and earth, reflecting its limestone-rich soils. The finish is long, mineral and slightly saline, giving lift and precision. Enjoyable in its youth for its vibrant fruit, the 2022 vintage also has the structure to develop additional complexity over the next 6–10 years.

Production
Santa Cecilia is born in the Noto DOC, in the far south of Sicily, an area known for its white calcareous soils, cooling sea breezes and abundant sunlight—ideal conditions for Nero d’Avola. The vineyards are planted on these limestone-rich, well-drained slopes, which naturally limit yields and intensify flavor. Grapes are harvested by hand at optimal ripeness, carefully sorted to ensure only the healthiest clusters are used. In the cellar, fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve purity of fruit, followed by maceration to extract color, aroma and fine tannins. The wine is then aged in oak (often a mix of barriques and larger barrels) to add texture and complexity without overwhelming the grape’s varietal character or the distinct Noto terroir.

Food & Serving
Planeta Santa Cecilia 2022 is a natural match for richly flavored Mediterranean and Italian dishes. Think grilled lamb chops with rosemary, slow-cooked beef ragù, Sicilian meatballs, or roasted pork with fennel and olives. It also pairs beautifully with aged Pecorino, Caciocavallo, mushroom-based dishes and grilled aubergine or hearty tomato-based pasta. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F). Decanting for 45–60 minutes before serving will help the aromatics open and soften the tannins, especially in its first few years after release.

Producer
Planeta is one of Sicily’s most important and forward-thinking wine producers, a family-run estate that has played a pivotal role in the island’s qualitative renaissance since the 1990s. With vineyards across several key Sicilian appellations, Planeta has championed both international varieties and, crucially, native grapes such as Nero d’Avola and Carricante. Their decision to invest in Noto, the historic cradle of Nero d’Avola, was instrumental in elevating this grape to international recognition. Santa Cecilia is regarded as one of the reference wines for modern Sicilian reds, and Planeta’s work has helped place Sicily firmly on the map as a source of premium, terroir-driven wines.

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