Description
Caruso & Minini Naturalmente Bio Grillo 2021 is a beautiful, aromatic Sicilian white wine. The 2020 was lovely but this 2021 vintage seems that little bit lovelier – it just seems to keep getting better with each vintage. The aromas of this wine are very expressive, showcasing a medley of citrus and tropical fruits – zesty notes of lemon and lime zest mingle with the fragrance of white peach with hints of pineapple, passion fruit and orange blossom. Although it is an aromatic wine with Grillo-typical aromas & flavours, I could equally have classified it as a Crisp & Light white wine.
Crisp and refreshing on the palate, Caruso & Minini Naturalmente Bio Grillo 2021 tastes of tangy grapefruit, lemon, lime and green apple with hints of pear and white peach. These fruit flavours are complemented by a gentle herbaceousness, reminiscent of sage and thyme and by a tang of salinity, adding complexity and depth to the wine’s profile. The wine has a lovely long lime and nectarine finish. The body of the wine is moving towards medium territory partly due to the Grillo grape but also as a result of ageing the wine on its lees. Fermentation was in oak and acacia vats – but these are huge barrels so the oak and acacia influence is very subtle; ageing on the lees was in stainless steel tanks and bottle. Fundamentally Caruso & Minini Naturalmente Bio Grillo 2021 is a crisp, fresh wine thanks to a lively level of acidity which is well-balanced with the complexity of aromas and flavours. The chalky cool soils in the western part of Sicily lend themselves to lighter wines with mouth-watering acidity and aromatics. For such quality and for an organic wine to boot, this is really great value – and very drinkable!
Grillo is a Sicilian grape variety well suited to the heat and dryness of the island. Previously used only in fortified Marsala wine, it is now being seen increasingly in still dry white wines like this one. The family-run winery, Caruso & Minini, is certified organic and has been producing wine for four generations.