~ COS Contrada is located near the commune of Vittoria ~
Wine is a body, a substance, the lifeblood of fruit that has been nurtured by the light of the sun and the depth of the earth.
Wine is work, the child of knowledge that goes into making this product and into transforming it in order to guide it in a new direction.
Wine is the fruit of patience, the patience that is needed to work with what each season provides us with.
Wine is art. A force that is able to dominate chaos and give it order and meaning. It is an art that is not immediately understandable for everyone but to those who are able to appreciate nuance and identity.
~ COS is noted for using buried Amphora to produce its Cerasuolo di Vittoria ~
In 1980, three friends founded Azienda Agricola COS; Giambattista Cilia, Cirino Strano and Giusto Occhipinti. Together, the acronym of their last names forms “COS”. And yes, if you think one of those names sounds familiar, you’re right. Giusto is Ariana’s Uncle, and set her career in motion when he took her to VinItaly as a teenager. From there, she began working at COS, until beginning her own journey at 22.
COS is located at the south eastern tip of Sicily in the province of Ragusa. Despite the southern exposure, the vineyards rest at a relatively high altitude of 250 meters ASL and benefit from this temperate climate. Influential are the winds and aromatic traits of Africa. Olive groves, almond trees, carob and brush dot the siena and amber colored landscape. COS’ microclimate allows its Nero d’Avola to thrive.
~ COS is located in the province of Ragusa near Vittoria ~
Today’s subject hails from a red clay vineyard near the Bastonaca area of Vittoria. The parcel of vineyard used for Contrada is now 50 years old and is some of the best vineyard land owned by COS. Contrada is built for the long haul. It is fermented in concrete with indigenous yeast. To mature the wine, the team age if for 42 months before release; two years in large botte, 1 year in cement and then 6 months in bottle. Essentially, this approximates the aging cycle for Brunello di Montalcino. The 2019 Contrada is the current release.
The 2019 COS Contrada Nero d’Avola is a medium ruby color that extends fully to the edge of the bowl. Wild cherry and fragrant herbs on the nose are rather perfumed. Hints of toasted spices and pine are notable too. On the palate, this is juicy, with snappy wild cherry that almost makes you pucker. Medium bodied, ripe wonderful fruit is mouthwatering, almost sweet-tart. Juniper and lavender provide perfumed sweetness while the tannins remain in a supporting role. This is rather tasty, but I’m not convinced of the QPR. Shop around, the price here varies widely. 88 points. Find this wine.
~ The 2019 is a nice medium bodied Nero ~
I served this alongside an amazing lamb ragu, which I have previously published here: Lamb Ragu. Slow cooked for 8+ hours, thus has wonderful depth of flavor.
Salute!
