Donnafugata : Tancredi Dolce&Gabbana Limited Edition 2018

The elegance and aromatic brilliance of a great Sicilian red wine produced in a limited edition

The estate

Founded in 1983, Donnafugata Estate, “woman in flight” in Italian, takes its name from the exile of Queen Maria Carolina of Naples to the lands of a local prince during Napoleon’s capture of Naples. Giacomo Rallo, the founder of this estate located in the northwest of Sicily, is the fourth generation of a family producing, since 1851, wines renowned for their high quality. Spread across 5 different sites, the Donnafugata Estate stands out for its remarkable diversity of terroirs, giving each cuvée a unique style that reflects the richness of Sicilian terroir.

The wine

Created for the first time in 1990, this Tancredi cuvée from Donnafugata Estate is produced under the Terre Siciliane IGT appellation, from the finest berries grown in the Contessa Entellina vineyard, located in southwestern Sicily on hills with predominantly clay soils. Tancredi Dolce&Gabbana Limited Edition 2018 by Donnafugata is a Sicilian wine marking the encounter of two iconic brands, ambassadors beyond borders of Sicilian culture and “Made in Italy” excellence. The joint work carried out by these two institutions of elegance, craftsmanship, and creativity brilliantly reinterprets this historic cuvée of the estate. For the occasion, the wine dons an exclusive label designed by Dolce&Gabbana, whose aesthetics pay homage both to Italian baroque and aristocratic tradition and to the revolutionary values that emerged in Sicily after the country’s unification.

The vintage

The year 2018 was marked by significant rainfall, mostly concentrated in spring and during the summer. Despite this high humidity, the agronomic practices implemented at the estate helped preserve the vineyard’s health and harvest grapes with beautiful ripeness.

Vinification and aging

Harvested by hand and sorted in the vineyard, the grapes are brought to the winery in crates to preserve the integrity of the fruit. Fermentation is carried out in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, followed by a 14-day skin maceration. Aging takes place in French oak barriques, new or used, for 12 months, followed by 2 additional years of bottle aging before the release of this Sicilian wine.

Blend

Cabernet Sauvignon
Nero d'Avola
Tannat

Tasting notes and serving suggestions for Tancredi Dolce&Gabbana Limited Edition 2018 by Donnafugata

Tasting

Appearance
The wine shows an intense ruby-red color.

Nose
The nose combines fruity (plum, blueberry) and spicy (licorice, sweet tobacco) aromas.

Palate
Generous and enveloping in personality, the palate charms with perfectly integrated tannins and a persistent, highly elegant finish.

Food and wine pairing

This great Sicilian wine is the ideal partner for red meats, game, as well as tuna or oily fish.

Serving

For optimal enjoyment, serve at 18°C (64°F).

Cellaring

Tancredi Dolce&Gabbana Limited Edition 2018 by Donnafugata can be cellared until around 2038 to fully express its aromatic complexity.