Donnafugata Sherazade Nero d'Avola Sicilia DOC 2024 750ml

Donnafugata's own tagline for Sherazade calls it "the red you wouldn't expect" — a genuinely fresh, approachable, aperitif-friendly take on Nero d'Avola, Sicily's signature red grape, at a moment when many expressions of the variety lean toward richer, more powerful territory. The wine is sourced entirely from the Contessa Entellina estate in south-western Sicily, on hilly terrain between 200 and 400 meters altitude, where clay loam soils carry a distinctive sub-alkaline character (pH 7.5 to 7.9) and genuinely high mineral content — potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, manganese, and zinc — alongside 20 to 35% total limestone. Mild winters with little rainfall give way to warm, dry, ventilated summers, conditions that Donnafugata credits directly with the grapes' clean, healthy ripeness.

Grapes for the 2024 vintage were entirely hand-harvested during the first ten days of September, fermented in stainless steel with skin maceration running 6 to 8 days at a controlled 24 to 25°C, followed by full malolactic fermentation. The wine then rests roughly two months in steel tanks before a further minimum five months of bottle aging prior to release — a deliberately unhurried, patient approach for a wine built to drink young and fresh. The 2024 pours a bright ruby red with violet reflections, opening with vibrant aromas of red cherry, plum, and pomegranate, accented by hints of violet, black pepper, and Mediterranean herbs. The palate is lively and medium-bodied, delivering juicy red fruit — raspberry and a touch of blackcurrant — balanced by soft tannins and bright acidity, closing smooth and refreshing with subtle spice and a touch of minerality. Donnafugata's own guidance suggests the wine is at its best within 4 to 5 years of the vintage — genuinely built for enjoying now rather than extended cellaring. This is Donnafugata's own accessible, everyday introduction to Nero d'Avola, made by one of Sicily's most respected and historically significant wine families.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Donnafugata was founded in 1983 by Giacomo Rallo, alongside his wife Gabriella, a genuine trailblazer of female-led viticulture in Sicily. Giacomo represents the fourth generation of a family with more than 170 years of winemaking heritage, and today the winery is led by their children, José and Antonio Rallo. Donnafugata's holdings span multiple distinct Sicilian sites, including the historic cellar in Marsala, the Contessa Entellina country estate in the island's western interior, and vineyards on the windswept island of Pantelleria off Sicily's southwest coast.

Sherazade is produced entirely from Nero d'Avola grapes grown at the Contessa Entellina estate, on hilly terrain between 200 and 400 meters altitude, on clay loam soils with a distinctive sub-alkaline reaction and rich nutrient content, including substantial total limestone. The 2024 vintage was hand-harvested during the first ten days of September, fermented in stainless steel with 6-to-8-day skin maceration at 24-25°C, followed by malolactic fermentation. The wine ages approximately two months in steel tanks, followed by a minimum of five months in bottle before release. The wine is vegan.

Critics Reviews

No specific numerical critic score is confirmed for the 2024 vintage at this time. For adjacent-vintage context:

Danielle Callegari, Wine Enthusiast (2023 vintage):
"The nose is clean and invigorating, with aromas of freshly brewed coffee, vanilla, cherry and wild fennel. On the foreground of the palate, raspberries and cherries sparkle, while undertones of earth and herbs make themselves known in the background. Tannins are grippy and insistent."

Donnafugata (official 2024 tasting notes):
"Sherazade 2024 has a bouquet of red fruits (raspberry) and plum, accompanied by delicate spicy hints. A brilliant ruby red colour with purple tints; on the nose, notes of red fruits (raspberry) and plum, accompanied by delicate spicy hints. The fruity notes reappear on the palate where the freshness and smoothness of the soft tannins also come to the fore."

Vino.com (2024 vintage, extended tasting note):
"On the nose it releases fragrant fruity hints of cherry and red plum, accompanied by spicy notes of black pepper. On the palate it is full and fresh, with soft tannins and an extremely pleasant drink."

Buy Wines Online (2024 vintage, extended tasting note):
"Donnafugata Sherazade Nero d'Avola 2024 is a fresh and youthful expression of Sicily's iconic red grape, offering an approachable yet flavorful profile. On the nose, it opens with vibrant aromas of red cherry, plum, and pomegranate, accented by hints of violet, black pepper, and Mediterranean herbs. The palate is lively and medium-bodied, with juicy red fruit flavors like raspberry and a touch of blackcurrant, balanced by soft tannins and a bright acidity. The finish is smooth and refreshing, leaving subtle notes of spice and a touch of minerality."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Bright ruby red with violet reflections. Vibrant red cherry, plum, and pomegranate lead, accented by violet, black pepper, and Mediterranean herbs, with hints of raspberry.

Palate
Lively and medium-bodied, with juicy red fruit — raspberry and a touch of blackcurrant — balanced by soft, caressing tannins and bright acidity. Full and fresh throughout, genuinely easy-drinking.

Finish
Smooth and refreshing, closing with subtle spice and a touch of minerality — a clean, pleasant close built for immediate enjoyment.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Fish soup
• Pizza
• Spaghetti with tomato sauce
• Charcuterie and mildly aged cheeses
• Roast beef
• Aperitif, on its own