Donnafugata Tancredi Dolce&Gabbana

Terre Siciliane IGT, Sicilia

Dialogue with creativity: the name Tancredi recalls one of the protagonists of the Leopard, an inexhaustible source of inspiration also for Dolce&Gabbana; in the novel and in the film of the same name, Tancredi is the favorite nephew of the Prince of Salina, precisely because of his charm and ability to adapt to changes. With a passionate and irrefutably Sicilian character, Tancredi was born in 1990 from an innovative blend for that era of a native grape variety with an international one. Dolce&Gabbana has created the coordinated image of this “revolutionary” wine, paying homage precisely to the Leopard, and in particular to the contrast between tradition and modernity that Tancredi summarizes in itself: while gold, blue and lines sinuous of Baroque inspiration celebrate the splendor of the aristocracy now in decline, red, green and pointed geometric figures refer to the new revolutionary values that are emerging in Sicily after the unification of Italy and which prelude to the contemporary history of the island.

Tasting Notes

With an intense ruby red color, Tancredi 2019 combines notes of ripe red fruit -black cherry and plums- followed by delicate spicy hints, cacao and sweet tobacco. On the palate it unfolds all its enveloping and plentiful personality with perfectly integrated tannins; it ends with a long and elegant persistence.

Tancredi goes perfectly with red meat and game; recommendable also the pairing with tuna or oily fish. It can be uncorked at the moment if served in large glasses, with a wide mouth and good height. Excellent at 18 °C (64° F).

In the Contessa Entellina estate, in the heart of western Sicily, in 2019 546 mm of rainfall were recorded, compared to the average of 660 mm of this territory. Most of the rainfall was in winter and spring; the summer was quite dry. The integrated management of agronomic practices, from pruning to thinning, to the choice of different harvesting moments, inspired by eco-sustainable viticulture ensured the production of healthy and well-ripened grapes. The harvest began during the second and the third ten days of September.

Fermentation in stainless steel with maceration on the skins for about 14 days at a temperature of 28-30° C. Aging for 14 months in oak and at least 2 years in bottle before release.

Denomination: Terre Siciliane IGT Rosso Production area: Donnafugata Contessa Entellina estate and neighboring territories, in the heart of south-western Sicily; the vineyards are on the hills, on mainly clayey soils.

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Nero d’Avola, Tannat Alcohol: 13.91% vol. Total acidity: 5.4 g/l. pH: 3.65

Dialogue with creativity: the name Tancredi recalls one of the protagonists of the Leopard, an inexhaustible source of inspiration also for Dolce&Gabbana; in the novel and in the film of the same name, Tancredi is the favorite nephew of the Prince of Salina, precisely because of his charm and ability to adapt to changes. With a passionate and irrefutably Sicilian character, Tancredi was born in 1990 from an innovative blend for that era of a native grape variety with an international one. Dolce&Gabbana has created the coordinated image of this “revolutionary” wine, paying homage precisely to the Leopard, and in particular to the contrast between tradition and modernity that Tancredi summarizes in itself: and while gold, blue and lines sinuous of Baroque inspiration celebrate the splendor of the aristocracy now in decline, red, green and pointed geometric figures refer to the new revolutionary values that are emerging in Sicily after the unification of Italy and which prelude to the contemporary history of the island

Tasting Notes

Tasting notes: with an intense ruby red color, Tancredi 2018 combines notes of fruit such as plums and blueberries, with delicate spicy hints of licorice and sweet tobacco. On the palate it unfolds all its enveloping and plentiful personality with perfectly integrated tannins; it ends with a long and elegant persistence.  

Food & Wine: Tancredi goes perfectly with red meat and game; recommendable also the pairing with tuna or oily fish. It can be uncorked at the moment if served in large glasses, with a wide mouth and good height. Excellent at 18 °C.

The vintage and 2018 harvest: in Contessa Entellina after two slightly rainier years, in 2018 743 mm of rainfall were recorded, a figure that is above the average of 667 mm of this territory. Most of the rainfall was distributed in spring; only in some plots there have been precipitations in the summer. The integrated management of agronomic practices, from pruning to thinning to the choice of different harvesting moments, inspired by an eco-sustainable viticulture, has allowed us to have healthy and well-ripened grapes. The harvest of the grapes destined for Tancredi began with Nero d’Avola and Tannat during the first 10 days of September followed by Cabernet Sauvignon in the mid-September.

Vinification and aging: fermentation in stainless steel with maceration on the skins for about 14 days at a temperature of 28 °-30° C. Aging for 12 months in oak and at least 2 years in bottle before release. Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Nero d’Avola, Tannat and other varieties. Aging potential: to be enjoyed now; if well preserved, its longevity goes beyond 20 years.

Production area: Donnafugata Contessa Entellina estate and neighboring territories, in the heart of south-western Sicily; the vineyards are on the hills, on mainly clayey soils.

Analysis data: alcohol 14.20 % vol., total acidity: 6.2 g/l., pH: 3.60. Aging potential: to be enjoyed now; if well preserved, its longevity goes beyond 20 years.

Dialogue with creativity: the name Tancredi recalls one of the protagonists of the Leopard, an inexhaustible source of inspiration also for Dolce&Gabbana; in the novel and in the film of the same name, Tancredi is the favorite nephew of the Prince of Salina, precisely because of his charm and ability to adapt to changes. With a passionate and irrefutably Sicilian character, Tancredi was born in 1990 from an innovative blend for that era of a native grape variety with an international one. Dolce&Gabbana has created the coordinated image of this “revolutionary” wine, paying homage precisely to the Leopard, and in particular to the contrast between tradition and modernity that Tancredi summarizes in itself: and while gold, blue and lines sinuous of Baroque inspiration celebrate the splendor of the aristocracy now in decline, red, green and pointed geometric figures refer to the new revolutionary values that are emerging in Sicily after the unification of Italy and which prelude to the contemporary history of the island

Tasting Notes

Tasting notes: with an intense ruby red color, Tancredi 2017 Limited Edition combines notes of red fruit, black currant, and prunes, with balsamic notes and delicate hints of cocoa and sweet tobacco. On the palate it unfolds all its enveloping personality with perfectly integrated tannins and long persistence.

Food & Wine: Tancredi goes perfectly with red meat and game; recommendable also the pairing with tuna or oily fish. It can be uncorked at the moment if served in large glasses, with a wide mouth and good height. Excellent at 18°C.

The vintage and 2017 harvest: the 2017 vintage was less rainier than average in this area. Temperatures registered between July and August were higher than seasonal average and this resulted in the ripening of all the varieties cultivated in the area 1-2 weeks earlier than usual. In this period of the summer, good temperature ranges between day and night have given healthy grapes with an excellent aromatic and phenolic maturation. The harvest of the grapes destined for Tancredi began with Nero d’Avola during the last decade of August followed by Tannat and Cabernet Sauvignon in the first decade of September.

Vinification and aging: ffermentation in stainless steel with maceration on the skins for about 14 days at a temperature of 28°-30° C. Aging for 12 months in oak and at least 3 years in bottle before release (1 November 2021). Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Nero d’Avola, Tannat and other varieties. Aging potential: to be enjoyed immediately or for collection; if well preserved, its longevity goes beyond 20 years.

Production area: Donnafugata Contessa Entellina estate and neighboring territories, in the heart of south-western Sicily; the vineyards are on the hills, on mainly clayey soils.

Alcohol: 14.20 % Total Acidity: 6.2 g/l pH: 3.60

  • 2023-09-01

    93+

    points

    Vinous, September 2023

    "The 2019 Tancredi Dolce & Gabbana is dark and intense, with an air of smoky crushed rocks and savory herbs that gives way to black currant and balsamic spice. Silky yet racy in style, this impresses further with depths of mineral-tinged red and black fruits that saturate. A web of fine-grained tannins mounts toward the close. It finishes dramatically long, structured and potent, with graphite nuances and a mentholated herbal freshness that helps to lift the experience. The Tancredi is going to need time, and a lot of it, yet it will be time well spent. It's a radiant beauty. This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Nero d’Avola and Tannat."

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  • 2023-08-25

    92

    points

    James Suckling, August 2023

    "Black berries and dark leather with some crushed slate and blue fruits on the nose. Some dark mushrooms. It’s full-bodied and chewy with lots of toasted oak. Rich and flavorful but remains linear and fresh. Drink after 2025."

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  • 20231031

    92

    points

    Wine Enthusiast, October 2023

    ""

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  • 20220805

    93

    points

    James Suckling, August 2022

    "This has aromas of blackberries, lemons, peppercorns, dried sage, smoke, grilled porcini mushrooms, toffee and mocha. It’s medium-to full-bodied with ripe, polished tannins. Velvety and layered, with a lengthy and flavorful finish. Drink or hold."

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  • 20220701

    91

    points

    Vinous, July 2022

    "The 2018 Tancredi Dolce & Gabbana is a deep purple color in the glass, with a dark and moody mix of plum sauce, black currants, grilled herbs and balsamic spice. It's silky-smooth and elegant with medium-bodied weight, getting depths of black and red wild berry fruits, hints of sour citrus and mocha. Fine tannins are left to linger through the incredibly long and lightly structured finale, as inner violet florals and hints of salted licorice taper off. The Tancredi is primarily composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, Ner d'Avla and Tannat, and it is refined for a year in new barriques. It's a very pretty, yet deep, wine that needs a bit of cellaring to come fully into focus."

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  • 2022-05-31

    91

    points

    Wine Spectator, May 2022

    "Rich hints of toast and mocha underscore the crème de cassis, fig cake and cigar box notes on display in this harmonious medium- to full-bodied red. The tannins are dense yet well-meshed, emerging on the mineral-laced finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Nero d'Avola and Tannat. "

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  • 2021-02-01

    88

    points

    Wine Enthusiast, February 2021

    "Aromas of cassis, French oak, toasted nut and eucalyptus form the nose. The palate reflects the heat of the vintage, offering dried cherry, prune, powdered sage and coconut alongside close-grained tannins that leave a rather astringent finish."

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TRADE & MEDIA ASSETS /////////////////

2019 Donnafugata Tancredi Dolce&Gabbana – Tasting Notes

2017 Donnafugata Tancredi Dolce&Gabbana – 91 points, Wine Spectator – Shelftalker

2018 Donnafugata Tancredi Dolce&Gabbana – 91 points, Vinous – Shelftalker

2018 Donnafugata Tancredi Dolce&Gabbana – 93 points, James Suckling – Shelftalker

2017 Donnafugata Tancredi Dolce&Gabbana – Tasting Notes

2018 Donnafugata Tancredi Dolce&Gabbana – Tasting Notes

2018 Donnafugata Tancredi Dolce&Gabbana – Label

Donnafugata Tancredi – Dolce&Gabbana – Non-Vintage – Bottle