Bargain Italian white: Mandoleto Catarratto 2011

Mandoleto Catarratto 2011 (Sicily, Italy)
12.5%, Screwcap, $15
Source: Sample
www.fourthwavewine.com.au

Another day, another tasty import. This cheapie is quintessentially a simple wine, made from a grape that is to Sicily what Muller Thurgau was to NZ – grows like a weed and makes simple white wines. In this instant it has risen above its status to make something crisp, textural and lightly fragrant. It is still a simple wine, no doubt, but much to like.

It’s smells light, musky, lemon edged and even cassis tipped. There is a ‘non mainstream’ sort of floral/spice in there that I really like. Simple, dry and lightly phenolic palate is clean, vinous and made in a quite modern fashion, all grapefruit and lemon fruit with pithy acidity. It’s perhaps a little broad through the finish but also refreshing enough too. Straightforward, fresh, likeable juice indeed.

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Drink: 2012 – 2014
Score: 16.5/20 88/100
Would I buy it? Yes.A beacon of value on a restaurant list