2021 Cometa

Readers looking to explore every variety (both indigenous and international) from nearly any location in Sicily and from a value up to prestige level could get lost for months in the Planeta portfolio. I’m still surprised by wines that arrive at my tasting table that I have never seen before. What’s even more amazing is the quality level across the board. Of course, there are several bottles that also over-deliver, year after year: the Chardonnay, tropical and unmistakably Sicilian, the Eruzione 1614 Carricante (with a 10% dollop of Reisling), the Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico Dorilli, the Maroccoli Syrah from Menfi and the Santa Cecilia Nero d’Avola all come to mind. Then there’s the prestige-level Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc Didacus, where things have gotten pretty serious. While I still believe the Cabernet Franc Didacus is still finding its footing, it's essential to consider that the last two releases are from the drought-stricken 2017 and extremely wet 2018 vintages. Both wines show the year's challenges, but looking back to the inaugural and classic 2016, I have high hopes for the future. Then there’s the Chardonnay Didacus, which has been absolutely gorgeous year after year. It’s the perfect marriage of sapid Sicilian Chardonnay and well-integrated oak here. Planeta remains a standard bearer of Sicilian wine.