Donnafugata Mille e una Notte

Terre Siciliane IGT, Sicilia

Donnafugata's flagship red confirms itself as an icon of style and elegance.  Mille e una Notte 2016 is bold and smooth, with a signature bouquet of fruity notes, balsamic and spice.

Tasting Notes

Intense ruby red colored, Mille e una Notte 2016 is characterized by an ample bouquet, with fruity notes (blackberry and black mulberry) and balsamic (liquorice) and spicy scents (nutmeg). The palate is soft and embracing, surprising with an extraordinary silky tannin. A remarkable long persistence on the finish.

Excellent with roasted and braised meat, ragù, rack of lamb and stewed fish.

  • DENOMINATION: Red Sicilia DOC.
  • GRAPES: Nero d'Avola, Petit Verdot, Syrah and other grapes.PRODUCTION ZONE: south-western Sicily, Contessa Entellina Estate and nearby areas.
  • TERRAINS & CLIMATE: altitude from 200 to 600 m a.m.s.l. (656- 1,312 ft); hilly orography; clay loam soils with a sub-alkaline reaction (pH 7.5 to 7.9) rich in nutritive elements (potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, manganese, zinc) and total limestone from 20 to 35%. Mild winters with little rainfall. Warm, dry, ventilated summers. Substantial differences between day and night-time temperatures.
  • VINEYARD: VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioning) training with spurred cordon pruning g, leaving 6 to 8 buds per plant. Planting density of 4,500 to 6,000 plants per hectare (1,800-2,400 an acre) and yields of about 4-5 tons per hectare (1.6-2 tons an acre).
  • VINTAGE*: the 2016 vintage was characterized by a fairly balanced climatic trend, marked by a mild spring and a summer without excessive peaks of heat, allowing the vineyard to continue the vegetative cycle in a balanced way. Overall, 590 mm* of rainfall was recorded, a slightly lower figure compared to the average of 669 mm**. Careful vineyard management allowed us to bring into the winery healthy and well-ripened grapes, a premise of quality, long-lived wines. *in Contessa Entellina we consider the period from October 1 to September 30; RAINFALL: data collected by SIAS, (Sicilian Agrometeorological Service); **the average is calculated from vintage 2003 to vintage 2016.
  • HARVESTING: manual harvesting of grapes into crates with careful selection of the grapes in the vineyard. The harvest of the grapes destined for Mille e una Notte began during the first decade of September with the Nero d'Avola and Petit Verdot, followed by Syrah.
  • VINIFICATION: a further selection is carried out in the cellar, thanks to a latest generation destemmer, able to discard the green and overripe berries that might still be on the clusters. Fermentation in stainless steel and maceration on the skins for 12 days at a temperature of 26 - 30° C (79 -86° F). Ageing for 13-14 months in new French oak barriques and then in the bottle for at least 20 months.
  • ANALYSIS DATA: alcohol 13.84 % vol., total acidity: 5.7 g/l., pH: 3.62.

Mille e una Notte 2015 is caressing and intense, characterized by an ample bouquet with fruity notes combined with balsamic and spicy scents. Donnafugata's flagship red confirms itself as an icon of style and elegance.

Tasting Notes

Intense ruby red colored, Mille e una Notte 2015 is characterized by an ample bouquet, with fruity notes of blackberry and black mulberry, layered with licorice and spicy scents followed by hints of cacao.  The palate is soft and embracing, with extraordinary silky tannins and a remarkably long finish.

Try with fresh pasta, like pappardelle, with pork ragout, slow-cooked rack of lamb, roasts or Tournedos Rossini.

  • GRAPES: Nero d'Avola, Petit Verdot, Syrah and other grapes.
  • PRODUCTION ZONE: South-western Sicily, Contessa Entellina Estate and nearby areas.
  • TERRAINS: altitude from 200 to 600 m a.m.s.l. (656- 1,312 ft); hilly orography; clay loam soils with a sub-alkaline reaction (pH 7.5 to 7.9) rich in nutritive elements (potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, manganese, zinc) and total limestone from 20 to 35%.
  • VINEYARD: VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioning) training with spurred cordon pruning g, leaving 6 to 8 buds per plant. Planting density of 4,500 to 6,000 plants per hectare (1,822-2,429 an acre) and yields of about 4 tons (1.6 tons per acre); about 0.8 kg per plant
  • VINTAGE 2015: Up to the end of June, the 2015 vintage was characterized by a climatic trend that was cooler and rainier than seasonal averages. Overall, from 1 October 2014to 30 September 2015, rainfall reached 763 mm compared to the 656 average of the last 10 years. In July the maximum temperatures recorded were higher than the average values for the period which favored the ripening process of the grapes. The considerable temperature fluctuations between day and night favored the concentration of aromatic precursors in the grapes.
  • HARVESTING: manual harvesting of grapes into crates with careful selection of the grapes in the vineyard. The harvest of the grapes destined for Mille e una Notte began during the first decade of September with the Nero d'Avola and Petit Verdot, followed by Syrah.
  • VINIFICATION: A further selection is carried out in the cellar, thanks to a latest generation destemmer, able to discard the green and overripe berries that might still be on the clusters. Fermentation in stainless steel and maceration on the skins for 12 days at a temperature of 26 - 30° C (79 -86° F). Ageing for 13 months in new French oak barriques and then in the bottle for at least 24 months.
  • ANALYSIS DATA: alcohol 13.80 % vol., total acidity: 5.8 g/l., pH: 3.62

Mille e una Notte 2014 is caressing and intense, characterized by an ample bouquet with fruity notes combined with balsamic and spicy scents. Donnafugata's flagship red confirms itself as an icon of style and elegance.

Tasting Notes

Intense ruby red colored, Mille e una Notte 2014 is characterized by an ample bouquet, with fruity notes (blackberry and plum) and balsamic and spicy scents followed by hints of chocolate. The palate is soft and embracing, surprising with an extraordinary silky tannin. A remarkable long persistence on the finish.

Try with fresh pasta (e.g. pappardelle) with pork ragout, slow-cooked rack of lamb, roasts or Tournedos Rossini.

  • DENOMINATION: Red – Terre Siciliane IGT.
  • GRAPES: Nero d'Avola, Petit Verdot, Syrah and other grapes.
  • PRODUCTION ZONE: Southwestern Sicily, Contessa Entellina Estate and nearby areas.
  • TERRAINS: altitude from 200 to 600 m a.m.s.l. (656- 1,312 ft); hilly orography; clay loam soils with a sub-alkaline reaction (pH 7.5 to 7.9) rich in nutritive elements (potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, manganese, zinc) and total limestone from 20 to 35%.
  • VINEYARD: VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioning) training with spurred cordon pruning g, leaving 6 to 8 buds per plant. Planting density of 4,500 to 6,000 plants per hectare (1,822-2,429 an acre) and yields of about 4 tons (1.6 tons per acre); about 0.8 kg per plant
  • VINTAGE 2014: the 2014 vintage was characterized by a fairly balanced climatic trend, marked by a relatively mild winter and a cool, rainy spring. Overall, from 1 October 2013 to 30 September 2014, 620 mm of rainfall was recorded: a slightly lower figure compared to the average of the last 10 years, with rainfall concentrated in the spring months. July and August passed without excesses of heat and with an excellent temperature range between day and night, thus favoring the production of particularly fresh and balanced wines.
  • HARVESTING: manual harvesting of grapes into crates with careful selection of the grapes in the vineyard. The harvest of the grapes destined for Mille e una Notte began during the first decade of September with the Nero d'Avola and Syrah and concluded in the third week with the Petit Verdot.
  • VINIFICATION: A further selection is carried out in the cellar, thanks to a latest generation destemmer, able to discard the green and overripe berries that might still be on the clusters. Fermentation in stainless steel and maceration on the skins for 12 days at a temperature of 26 - 30° C (79 -86° F). Ageing for 14 months in new French oak barriques and then in the bottle for at least 24 months.
  • ANALYSIS DATA: alcohol 13.88 % vol., total acidity: 5.5 g/l., pH: 3.57

Mille e una Notte 2013 is caressing and intense, characterized by an ample bouquet with fruity notes combined with balsamic and spicy scents. Donnafugata's flagship red confirms itself as an icon of style and elegance.

Tasting Notes

Ruby red colored, Mille e una Notte 2013 has an ample and enveloping bouquet characterized by fruity notes of mulberry and blackberry, and balsamic and spicy scents (nutmeg). In the mouth it is soft and full-bodied and amazes with the great finesse of its tannins. Extraordinary persistence on the finish. Donnafugata's flagship red confirms itself as an icon of style and elegance.

Slow-cooked rack of lamb, pappardelle with pork ragout, roasts, tournedos Rossini

  • GRAPES: Nero d'Avola, Petit Verdot, Syrah and other grapes.
  • PRODUCTION ZONE: Southwestern Sicily, Contessa Entellina Estate and nearby areas.
  • TERRAINS: altitude from 200 to 600 m a.m.s.l. (656- 1,312 ft); hilly orography; clay loam soils with a sub-alkaline reaction (pH 7.5 to 7.9) rich in nutritive elements (potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, manganese, zinc) and total limestone from 20 to 35%.
  • VINEYARD: VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioning) training with spurred cordon pruning g, leaving 6 to 8 buds per plant. Planting density of 4,500 to 6,000 plants per hectare (1,822-2,429 an acre) and yields of about 4 tons (1.6 tons per acre); about 0.8 kg per plant
  • VINTAGE 2013: marked by a mild winter, with good rainfall (767 mm of rainfall, a slightly higher figure compared to seasonal averages), which was followed by a cool, ventilated spring. In late August some rainfall and cooler temperatures allowed the red grapes to reach optimal phenolic ripeness.
  • HARVESTING: manual harvesting of grapes into crates with careful selection of the grapes in the vineyard. The harvest of the grapes destined for Mille e una Notte began during the first week of September with the Nero d'Avola and Syrah and concluded in the third week with the Petit Verdot.
  • VINIFICATION: A further selection is carried out in the cellar, thanks to a latest generation destemmer, able to discard the green and overripe berries that might still be on the clusters. Fermentation in stainless steel and maceration on the skins for 12 days at a temperature of 26 - 30° C (79 -86° F). Ageing for 14 months in new French oak barriques and then in the bottle for at least 36 months.
  • ANALYSIS DATA: alcohol 13,90 % vol., total acidity: 6.0 g/l., pH: 3.60

Tasting Notes

Mille e una Notte 2012 has an ample and enveloping bouquet characterized by fruity notes of mulberry, blackberry and plum, and balsamic and spicy scents (nutmeg). In the mouth, it is soft and intense, and it amazes with the great finesse of its tannins. Long persistence on the finish. Donnafugata's flagship red confirms itself as an icon of style and elegance.

Slow-cooked rack of lamb, pappardelle with pork ragout, roasted or grilled meats, and hearty stews.

  • GRAPES: Nero d'Avola, Petit Verdot, Syrah and other grapes.
  • PRODUCTION ZONE: South-western Sicily, Contessa Entellina Estate and nearby areas.
  • TERRAINS: altitude from 200 to 600 m a.m.s.l. (656- 1,312 ft); hilly orography; clay loam soils with a sub-alkaline reaction (pH 7.5 to 7.9) rich in nutritive elements (potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, manganese, zinc) and total limestone from 20 to 35%.
  • VINEYARD: VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioning) training with spurred cordon pruning g, leaving 6 to 8 buds per plant. Planting density of 4,500 to 6,000 plants per hectare (1,822-2,429 an acre) and yields of about 4 tons (1.6 tons per acre); about 0.8 kg per plant.
  • VINTAGE: the 2012 vintage was slightly warmer than the seasonal averages, although it was characterized by a normal climatic trend. The rainfall was concentrated in spring, but together in 2012 there was less rainfall than in the last 10 years (469 mm from 1 October 2011 to 30 September 2012), with yields that were slightly lower than average. A sunny harvest which allowed for the production of very healthy grapes, perfectly ripe from an aromatic and phenolic point of view.
  • HARVESTING: manual harvesting of grapes into crates with careful selection of the grapes in the vineyard. The harvest of the grapes destined for Mille e una Notte began during the first week of September with the Nero d'Avola and Syrah and concluded in the third week with the Petit Verdot.
  • VINIFICATION: A further selection is carried out in the cellar, thanks to a latest generation destemmer, able to discard the green and overripe berries that might still be on the clusters. Fermentation in stainless steel and maceration on the skins for 12 days at a temperature of 26 - 30° C (79 -86° F). Ageing for 14 months in new French oak barriques and then in the bottle for at least 36 months.
  • ANALYSIS DATA: alcohol 14 % vol., total acidity: 6.2 g/l., pH: 3.60

Mille e una Notte 2011 is characterized by its great personality: the nose offers an ample and profound bouquet and the palate has soft and enveloping tannins. Donnafugata's flagship red confirms itself as an icon of style end elegance.

Tasting Notes

Mille e una Notte 2011 is characterized by an ample bouquet, with notes that range from red fruit (cherry) to spices (pepper and licorice). The palate is fragrant, it perfectly reflects the nose, with soft and enveloping tannins. Long persistence on the finish: a wine with great personality and elegance.

With Slow-cooked rack of lamb, pappardelle with pork ragout,roasts, tournedos Rossini.. If served in large, big-bellied goblets it can be uncorked a few minutes before, otherwise a couple of hours earlier. Excellent at 18°C (64°F).

With cool temperatures and rainfall concentrated in spring, 2011 was a vintage with less rain compared to the Sicilian average: from 1 October 2010 to 30 September 2011, 513 mm of rainfall was recorded, a figure that is lower than the average of the last 10 years (683 mm). Overall the vintage was less productive, with yields that were slightly lower than average.

A further selection is carried out in the cellar, thanks to a latest generation destemmer, able to discard the green and overripe berries that might still be on the clusters. Fermentation in stainless steel and maceration on the skins for 12 days at a temperature of 26 -30° C (79 -86° F). Ageing for 14 months in new French oak barriques and then in the bottle for at least 36 months.

ABV: 14.10% Acidity: 6.3 g/L pH: 3.55

VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioning) training with spurred cordon pruning g, leaving 6 to 8 buds per plant. Planting density of 4,500 to 6,000 plants per hectare (1,822-2,429 an acre) and yields of about4 tons (1.6 tons per acre); about 0.8 kg per plant. Altitude from 200 to 600 m a.m.s.l. (656-1,312 ft); hilly orography; clay loam soils with a sub-alkalinereaction (pH 7.5 to 7.9) rich in nutritive elements (potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, manganese, zinc) and total limestone from 20 to 35%.

  • 90

    points

    Wine Enthusiast, February 2021

    "Made predominantly with Nero d'Avola, Petit Verdot and Syrah, this red has aromas of French oak, eucalyptus, warm spice and blue flower. The medium-bodied palate is both concentrated yet lifted, offering sour cherry, nutmeg and star anise alongside assertive, close-grained tannins that leave a mouthdrying close."

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  • 92

    points

    Wine Spectator, January 2021

    "An elegant red, aromatic and enticing on the nose, with bay leaf and cured tobacco notes accenting the rich range of baked plum and black cherry fruit on the palate. It's medium- to full-bodied and well-knit, with creamy tannins on the supple, mineral-laced finish. Lovely. Nero d'Avola, Petit Verdot and Syrah. Drink now through 2030. 350 cases imported."

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  • 93

    points

    James Suckling, December 2020

    "Violets, blackcurrants and oyster shell on the nose. It’s medium-bodied and savory with plenty of bark and ash. Cherry stones, too. Medium, fine tannins and a tight finish. Juicy and rich. Drink or hold."

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  • 90

    points

    Wine Spectator, April 2020

    "Baking spice and leather notes accent the flavors of baked black currant, herbed olive and fig cake in this balanced, medium- to full-bodied red, framed by creamy tannins. Supple finish. Nero d'Avola, Petit Verdot and Syrah. Drink now through 2025. 3,300 cases made, 330 cases imported."

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  • 92

    points

    James Suckling, November 2019

    "Lots of blueberry and blackberry character, full body, medium-chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Drink or hold."

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  • 92

    points

    Wine Enthusiast, February 2019

    ""

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  • 94

    points

    Wine & Spirits, May 2019

    "Year's Best Sicilian Wines"

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  • 95+

    points

    Wine Advocate, October 2019

    "Donnafugata's showcase wine is the always delightful Mille e Una Notte, with 40,000 bottles released in this vintage. The 2015 Sicilia Mille e Una Notte is a beautifully saturated and dark wine, with an elegant full-bodied style and plenty of black fruit and plum that shines bright. The quality of those primary aromas is radiant and fresh. The wine shows its complexity in a second wave of spice, leather and black olive. The blend is mostly Nero d'Avola with Petit Verdot, Syrah and other grapes, and the wine rests in oak barrel for 14 months. This vintage is particularly rich, soft and exuberant."

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  • 91

    Points

    Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator, July 2018

    "An expressive red that offers a lovely skein of fragrant spice and graphite flavors unraveling through the baked plum, fig cake, cured tobacco and tarry smoke notes. This is lightly mouthwatering throughout, medium- to full-bodied, with plush tannins firming the finish. Nero d'Avola, Petite Verdot and Syrah. Drink now through 2026. 300 cases imported."

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  • 92

    Points

    Kerin O'Keefe, Wine Enthusiast, December 2018

    "Underbrush, Mediterranean scrub, toast and exotic spice aromas leap from the glass. The concentrated, velvety palate doles out blackberry jam, ripe raspberry, vanilla and licorice, while tightly knit, fine-grained tannins provide structure."

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  • 92+

    points

    Vinous, August 2019

    "Fully saturated inky-ruby. Tar and licorice dominate the black cherry, plum and violet aromas on the deep, multifaceted nose. Then deep, dense and suave, with very ripe, almost liqueur-like red and black cherry, cassis, cocoa and sweet spice flavors. Finishes long with a hint of black pepper and a repeating nuance of violet. A big, strapping, brooding wine that needs time and that is in the style of the hot year. Not exactly my preferred style of Mille e Una Notte, but Port lovers and super ripe Napa Cab fans will love this."

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  • 93

    Points

    James Suckling, James Suckling, October 2018

    "There’s a savoriness to this that springs immediately from the glass in the form of bark and underbrush. Then dark cherries, brambleberries and vanilla take over. Medium to full body, polished tannins and a focused finish."

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  • 95

    Points

    Wine Advocate, December 2018

    "The 2014 Mille e Una Notte is mostly Nero d'Avola with some other red grapes in a supporting role. This was a terrific vintage in Sicily that did not see the below average temperatures and heavy rainfall that plagued the rest of mainland Italy. Instead, the growing season was characterized by balanced temperatures and steady sunshine. The fruit has matured beautifully here, showing blackberry, ripe cherry and plum. Tangy leather and spice add complexity to the wine. This is a full-bodied red with beautiful textual richness."

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  • 91

    Points

    Ian D'Agata, Vinous, September 2017

    "Dark ruby. Aromas of dark berries, tar, black pepper and red cherry, plus a whiff of vanilla. Very smooth rich and round, with intense flavors of vanilla, cocoa and sweet dark fruit, but seems a little less defined than the 2011 or 2010. Finishes long and vibrant. (14% alcohol)"

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  • 93

    Points

    Stephanie Johnson, Wine & Spirits, June 2018

    "A blend of nero d’Avola, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, this wine is saturated with flavors of blackberry and plum, laced with licorice and black tea. The wine rested for 14 months in new French Oak barriques, picking up spicy ginger and cinnamon notes and a rich, polished texture. A hint of mint brightens the finish, but the wine's densely packed flavors need time to unfurl and will be even better after a few years in the cellar."

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  • 94

    Points

    Wine Advocate, December 2018

    "This wine is drinking beautifully right now. The 2012 Mille e Una Notte is a lot of fun to drink. You are treated to balanced aromas of black fruit and plum that are contrasted against spice, licorice and smoke. Nero d'Avola tends to show aromas of black olive, caper and aniseed in its natural state. You get some of those aromas here, but the black fruit is ultimately what shows strongest. This full-bodied red is endowed with rich texture and solid structure. It should continue to evolve over the next 10 years."

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  • 90

    Points

    Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator, April 2016

    "Expressive flavors of cassis, fig cake, dried mint and espresso are set in an elegant, medium- to full-bodied frame, layered with refined tannins and accents of oak spice and graphite that linger on the finish. Rich but polished. Drink now through 2026. 3,750 cases made"

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  • 92

    Points

    Kerin O'Keefe, Wine Enthusiast, March 2016

    "Aromas of French oak, mature black-skinned fruit, espresso and a hint of blue flower lead the nose on this structured red. The generous palate doles out juicy black cherry, blackberry, ground pepper and licorice while velvety tannins provide smooth, seamless support. Drink through 2021."

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  • 93

    Points

    Anthony Dias Blue, Tasting Panel, February 2017

    "Smooth and juicy with depth and elegant flavors of plum, spice and blackberry; silky texture and generous style; long and fresh. Nero d'Avola, Petit Verdot, Syrah"

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  • 94

    Points

    Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, December 2015

    "The 2011 Mille e Una Notte is based on Nero d'Avola, although the wine sees smaller percentages of other grapes in supporting roles. This is a thick and darkly saturated expression with a bold flavor profile that reveals dark fruit, jammy blackberry, exotic spice and moist chewing tobacco. The 2011 vintage falls under the IGT Sicilia appellation (but newer vintages will be labeled under the Contessa Entellina appellation). The intensity of the bouquet is remarkable as is the thickness and weight of the wine's texture. Mille e Una Notte is an all-Sicilian wine with an interesting Bordeaux slant. The tannins are firm but very well integrated."

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

2016 Donnafugata Mille e una Notte – Tasting notes

2015 Donnafugata Mille e una Notte – Tasting notes

2014 Donnafugata Mille e una Notte – Tasting notes

2013 Donnafugata Mille e una Notte – Tasting notes

Donnafugata Properties – Sicily map

2012 Donnafugata Mille e una Notte – Tasting notes

2011 Donnafugata Mille e una Notte – Tasting Notes

Donnafugata Mille e una Notte – Non Vintage – Label

Donnafugata Mille e una Notte – Non Vintage – Bottle

Donnafugata Mille e una Notte – Beauty

Donnafugata Photography – Contessa Entellina winery

Donnafugata Photography – Rallo family

Donnafugata Photography – Josè with Mille e una Notte

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