Occhipinti Vini di Contrada Bianco SM 2020 (750ML)

93 VM / 93 JS

The 2020 Bianco Contrade SM is a varietal Grillo with a wild yet alluring bouquet that reminds me more of a spiced, citrus-inspired, herbal tea than wine. Then mix in some smoke, a hint of underbrush and viola. It's soft-textured and savory to the core, with flinty young peach motivated by brisk acids and hints of sour lemon This leaves a staining of minerality, along with notes of ginger and tangerine, while tapering off with impressive length and concentration. Wow, I'm finding it hard to put this glass down. This is the first vintage of the SM with a strikeout on the label, as Ochipinti cannot legally add the Contrado name Santa Margherita' to the label The vines ore planted in sandy calcareous soils at 500 meters in Chiaramonte Gulf, just north of Vittoria.- Eric Guido, Vinous Media

This has flinty and smoky notes on the nose, with dried and preserved lemons, gun flint, dried herbs and salted almonds. Medium-bodied with vibrant acidity and distinct salty and smoky character. Lots of tension. Complex expression of grillo. 7 months on lees, and aged 50% in concrete and 50% in oval barrels. Drink now or hold.-James Suckling