Tasca Conti d'Almerita - Tenuta Regaleali : Cygnus 2021

Characteristics and tasting tips for Cygnus 2021 from Tasca Conti d'Almerita - Tenuta Regaleali

Tasting

Color

The color reveals an intense ruby-red hue, enhanced by garnet highlights.

Nose

The bouquet opens with generous aromas of ripe red fruits, notably cherry and raspberry. Spicy notes mingle harmoniously with vanilla and chocolate nuances brought by aging in French oak barrels.

Palate

On the palate, the wine displays a powerful, fruit-driven structure, supported by elegant, silky tannins. The balance between richness and freshness defines this Cygnus 2021, lingering into a persistent finish with spicy accents.

Food and wine pairings

This Sicilian red wine is an ideal match for grilled red meats, game dishes, as well as mushroom-based preparations. It also pairs beautifully with aged cheeses.

A complex Sicilian wine with an elegant mouthfeel

The estate

Founded in 1830, Tasca Conti d'Almerita - Tenuta Regaleali is one of Sicily’s oldest and most prestigious wine estates. Located in the heart of the island, in the province of Palermo, the property spans nearly 600 hectares, including around 300 hectares of vineyards. Now led by Alberto Tasca d'Almerita, who represents the eighth family generation as CEO, the company is recognized as a pioneer in producing high-quality Sicilian wines. The estate has received numerous international distinctions, including the title of European Winery of the Year awarded by Wine Enthusiast in 2021, and in 2023 became the first Sicilian winery certified as a B Corporation. The Tasca d'Almerita family played a key role in Sicily’s wine renaissance by combining indigenous grape varieties with international ones.

The vineyard

The Tenuta Regaleali vineyard enjoys an exceptional location in Sicile, at an altitude ranging from 450 to 850 meters. This remarkable elevation gives the terroir a unique continental character, with daytime temperature swings that can reach 25°C during the ripening period. The soils display great diversity, with twelve distinct types identified across the estate, ranging from clay to limestone compositions. The vines destined for Cygnus are trained on trellises using Guyot and cordon methods, with a planting density of around 4,000 vines per hectare and yields regulated to 55 quintals per hectare.

The vintage

The year 2021 began with a mild, rainy winter, ensuring good water reserves in the soils. Spring was cool and dry, followed by a hot, dry summer punctuated by rainfall in August. These climatic conditions allowed for steady, optimal ripening of the grapes, encouraging the development of beautiful aromatic concentration while preserving the signature freshness of Tenuta Regaleali wines.

Winemaking and aging

The Cygnus 2021 grapes are hand-harvested and carefully sorted. Fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature of 28 degrees Celsius, with a two-week maceration allowing optimal extraction of aromatic and tannic compounds. After complete malolactic fermentation, this Italian wine is aged for fourteen months in 225-liter French oak barrels from the Allier and Tronçais forests, including 30% new oak and 70% second- and third-use barrels.

Grape varieties

Nero d'Avola (60%)
Cabernet Sauvignon (40%)