Antonio Galloni’s report on Central & Southern Italy was posted on eRobertParker.com. Donnafugata received very nice scores. Of all the wines, Galloni wrote: "This is a very strong showing from Donnafugata and the Rallo family. The wines this year show notable balance and class." Sell sheets and shelftalkers can be found on the POS Materials page. (April 30, 2009)
Sommelier Journal included a feature on Sicily, with a nice section on Donnafugata. (January 2009)
Accolade List for 2006 & 2007 Vintages: 2007 Vintage
L’Espresso: “Wine of Excellence”
Maroni: “Wine of Excellence”
AIS-Bibenda: “Cinque Grappoli”
Italy's Best Wines 2009 by D'Agata & Comparini: Wine of the Year (#1 of 100 wines)
I Vini di Veronelli – 2009: “Super Tre Stelle Blu”
Wine Enthusiast: 94 points from Monica Larner
Wine Advocate: 91 points from Antonio Galloni
Vini di Sicilia 2009 - Giornale di Sicilia: “Miglior Vino Dolce”
Decanter Magazine: 5 Stars
Guida Passiti d'Italia di "Cucina & Vini" – 2009: “Cinque Sfere”
Concorso Enologico "Vitigno Italia" – 2009: “Vino Perfetto”
Concorso Enologico "Vino Rotariano dell'Anno" – 2009: Medaglia d'Oro per la Qualità nella categoria Vini Dolci
2006 Vintage
Gambero Rosso Slow Food – 2008: Vino Dolce dell'Anno - miglior Tre Bicchieri della categoria / Sweet Wine of the Year - best Tre Bicchieri in its category
Wine Enthusiast: 95 points from Monica Larner
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar: 94 points
Concorso Enologico Internazionale “Selezione del Sindaco” – 2008: Medaglia d'Oro
Guida Duemilavini AIS Bibenda – 2008: 5 Grappoli
I Vini di Veronelli – 2008: Super Tre Stelle Blu
Guida ai Vini d'Italia di Luca Maroni – 2008: Vino Frutto
Vinalies Internationales – 2008: Vinalies d'Or
Guida Vini Buoni d'Italia – 2008:
Ben Narasin wrote about Passito in this issue of The Tasting Panel. Ben visited Pantelleria during harvest in September and included a prominent bottle shot of Ben Ryé, an image of Donnafugata grapes drying on Pantelleria and called the wine “exceptional.” (January 2009)
Wine Enthusiast on-line posted the following review of the 2007 Ben Ryé, "...a glowing example of Sicilian pride, and you can understand why. Beautifully integrated with deep aromas of orange zest, honey, chestnut, molasses and dried apricot, the wine is a true incarnation of lavish decadence. The mouthfeel delivers impressive intensity and concentration of flavors." (Dec 15, 2008)
Great news today…the 2006 Donnafugata Sedara is one of the “Hot Bottles” highlighted in Bon Appetit in an article about how interesting, lesser known Italian varietals are popping up on wine lists across the country. September 2008 issue.
New York Times highlighted Donnafugata in an article in the July 25, 2008 edition about where to go and things to do in Palermo, Italy.
Wine Spectator reviews Donnafugata wines, (August 31, 2008 issue)
- 2007 Anthilia - is awarded the "Best Value" & "Spectator Selection" -- "Full-bodied white from Sicily, with a citrusy aroma and lots of fresh grapefruit character. Offers lemon aromas ont he nose, with Brazilian lime." (87 pts)
- 2005 Tancredi - "Aromas of fresh plum, flowers and fresh herb follow through to a firm, fruity and medium-bodied palate. Balanced and fruity. (86 pts)
- 2006 Sedara - "Displays berry and cherry fruit ont he nose and palate, with light vanilla and floral notes. Medium-bodied, this is well-structured, with good clean fruit." (86 pts)
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, review of Donnafugata wines, July/August 2008
- 2006 Ben Rye -- "Golden yellow with a bright orange tinge. Explosive, highly perfumed aromas of ripe apricot, peach, citrus fruits, cinnamon and pepper. Pure and clean, with impressive depth to the ripe citrus and peach flavors; an undercurrent of tropical fruits contributes volume and flesh. The concentrated, very long finish throws off notes of lavender and acacia honey. Perhaps the best-ever Ben Rye, amazingly intense yet elegant and impeccably balanced." (94 pts)
- 2005 Mille e Una Notte -- Deep red. Reticent nose hits at blackberry and black pepper, with a slight hint of volatile acidity. Sweet and spicy on the palate, showcasing black pepper, licorice and mineral flavors..." (90 pts)
- 2005 Donnafugata Tancredi -- Deep inky ruby. Saline nose shows smoky black cherry, graphite and a hint of bell pepper. Enters the mouth fruity and supple, with hints of coffee and sassafras. This has smoother tannins, a less pronounced earthy character and more length than most recent Tancredi vintages." (89 pts)
- 2006 Sedara -- Dark red. Spiced plum, red cherry and baking spices on the nose, perked up by a light dusting of cracked pepper. Sappy, fruit-driven flavors of black cherry and raspberry, with complicating floral nuances and a long, nutty finish. Made in a lightweight style, this really blossoms in the glass, picking up flrsh and volume." (89 Pts)
- 2007 Chiaranda -- Golden yellow. Chardonnay-dominated aromas of banana and pineapple, plus a hint of peanut butter. Toasty, sweet, oak-derived butterscotch and hazelnut flavors are enlivened by bright acids. Finishes smooth and fairly long, with a caramel custard note and more pineapple." (88 pts)
- 2007 Anthilia -- Straw-yellow with a hint of gold. Delightful nose is redolent of tangerine and bright floral aromas. Similarly bright and fresh in the mouth, with a salty touch to the ripe citrus and apricot flavors. Finishes clean and subtly saline, with a bit more residual sugar than the very good 2006 vintage. (88 pts)
New York Times highlighted Donnafugata in an article in the July 25, 2008 edition about where to go and things to do in Palermo, Italy.
2005 Donnafugata Ben Ryé was recently mentioned in the Robb Report,
as a wine “worthy of a place in your private collection.” (July 2008)
WINE SPECTATOR ONLINE reviews the 2005 DONNAFUGATA Contessa Entellina Mille e Una Notte --
"Wonderful aromas of crushed flowers and blackberry follow through to a medium-to-full body, with
silky tannins and a medium, caressing finish. " (88 pts) -- Here is the link to the full article, posted June 2, 2008: http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Features/Premium/0,1197,4415,00.html -- This artical also ran in hard copy in the July 31st, 2008 issue of Wine Spectator.
FOOD & WINE highlights Donnafugata, May 2008
- "2005
Donnafugata Anthilia is a "Great Bargain--terrific wine under $15" and "Hard-to-Find: Smaller production wine that's definitely worth the search." The Anthilia is paired with an eggplant risotto in the feature "Cruising the Mediterranean with Jacques Pepin."
WINE ADVOCATE reviews Donnafugata, March 2008:
- 2005 Donnafugata Chiaranda (89 pts)
The 2005 Chiaranda (Ansonica, Chardonnay) offers a silky-textured palate of flowers and honeyed apricots, with excellent length and a fresh, inviting finish. It is best consumed over the next year or two. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2009.
- 2004 Donnafugata Mille e una Notte (91 pts) Donnafugata’s 2004 Mille e Una Notte is a Nero d’Avola-based blend aged in French oak. It is an explosive wine loaded with super-ripe dark cherries, scorched earth, herbs and toasted oak. It offers lovely balance in a brooding yet expansive style. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2014.
- 2006 Donnafugata Ben Rye (90 pts) The estate’s Passito di Pantelleria Ben Rye is one of Italy’s most famous sweet wines. Ben Rye is made from Zibbibo grown on the volcanic soils of the island of Pantelleria. The 2006 offers attractive up-front fruit in its mineral-infused prunes, spices, candied orange peel, dried figs and raisins but ultimately comes across as heavy and lacking the complexity that defines Italy’s finest dessert wines. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2012.
- 2004 Donnafugata Tancredi (92 pts)
The 2004 Tancredi is a blend of 70% Nero d’Avola and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in French oak is endowed with notable warmth and richness in its fruit. Herb, chocolate and toasted oak nuances also come to the forefront, adding further complexity. The Cabernet is very much felt in the structure and density of the wine. All of the wine’s elements come together in an engaging and utterly satisfying glass of wine.
"Vini d'Italia 2008" edited by Gambero Rosso and Slow Food has given Ben Ryé 2006 the special prize: BEST SWEET WINE OF THE YEAR for being the best "Tre bicchieri" (three glasses) of this category.
Gambero Rossoand Slow Food has assigned the "Tre Biccieri" to Mille e una Notte 2004.
Duemilavini 2008 by Bibenda Editore and Associazione Italiana Sommelier has attributed the "5 Grappoli" (5 Clusters) to Ben Ryé 2006.
I Vini d'Italia 2008 by Luca Maroni has placed Ben Ryé 2006 among the best 3 sweet Italian wines.
Vini Buoni d'Italia 2008 edited by Italian Touring Club has given La Corona (The Crown) to Ben Ryé 2006 and Honor recognition to Mille e una Notte 2004.
The guide Migliori vini d'Italia 2008 from D'Agata and Comparini has Ben Ryé 2006 on the Top 100 Italian wines.
