The 2012 Cusumano Nero d'Avola Sicilia Sagana is a robust red wine from Italy, specifically Sicily. This varietal, Nero d'Avola, is known for its deep, concentrated flavors and this vintage certainly delivers on that expectation.
James Suckling gave this wine an excellent score of 95, noting its "fabulous aromas of mulberries, wet earth, blackberry, and hot stones." He praised its "full body, velvety tannins and juicy finish," calling the fruit balance "beautiful and so complex." Suckling even pondered if it might be "the greatest Nero d'Avola ever made." This wine originates from the area of Butera and spends about 14 months in large 20 hectoliter casks.
Wine Spectator awarded it a solid score of 90, describing it as "sleek and well-knit, with a mouthwatering mix of crushed blackberry, plum sauce, chalky mineral, and espresso crème." They highlighted the wine's "supple tannins and an aromatic thread of ground spice," suggesting that it should "open up nicely with short-term cellaring." They recommend drinking it now through 2022.
Monica Larner from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also gave it a score of 90, commenting on its "masculine and dense" nature with "thick layers of cherry, blackberry preserves, spice, leather, and tobacco." She appreciated the absence of the "greenish or herbal notes" that sometimes appear in Nero d'Avola, which makes this wine "a classic style and approachable appeal." She noted that starting with the 2012 vintage, Sàgana is recognized as a Sicilia DOC wine.
Roland Hankerson from JJ Buckley scored it 92, describing a "complex array of jammy blackberry, black cherry, plum, coffee, savory herbs, and minerality" on the nose. He found its medium weight "elegant" with an "eventually exposes elements of cola and cocoa to the gorgeous fruit." Hankerson praised its "soft, round tannins" and "pleasant, dry finish," suggesting it can be enjoyed now or over the next 5-7 years.
Overall, the 2012 Cusumano Nero d'Avola Sicilia Sagana is a well-regarded wine with rich, complex flavors and a solid structure, making it a noteworthy choice for enthusiasts of bold, expressive reds.
