2022 COS Nero di Lupo, Nero d'Avola

Wine made from grapes grown organically using natural composting techniques and special preparations of herbal sprays while following the astronomical calendar.

Tasting Notes

Here you can see a stand alone example of the excellent, energetic Nero d'Avola wines made by Giusto Occhipinti.

This is the richest of the COS reds, a powerful, mineral-driven wine which tastes of plums, licorice, a myriad of exotic herbs and spices while remaining lively and delicious.

With these COS wines, the purity of variety and place is so striking. These wines couldn't come from anywhere else in the world. The crunch, the dry earthen tannin, the focus is incredibly impressive.

This is one of the most interesting expressions of Nero d'Avola in the world.

Made from 100% Nero d'Avola. The wine is fermented with ambient yeast and aged in concrete vats for nine months followed by three months in the bottle before release. Vibrant red fruit and structured tannins make this a fine match cured meats and pasta dishes.

COS is a benchmark producer for their naturalistic approach in the vineyards and in the winery. In the 80s and 90s almost everyone was approaching wine with the “bigger is better” mentality: Big color, extraction, and high alcohol. COS carved out a different path looking for more classic, traditional methods that produced wines ripe with freshness and vitality. Nowhere is this more apparent than with the most important Sicilian grape, Nero d’Avola. Named after the nearby city of Avola, it is this wine in which COS showcases their pioneering approach to this noble grape. Most Nero d’Avola is made into a rich, heavy, full-bodied style, but the Nero di Lupo (The Black Wolf) is a testament to the terroir and traditions of this area making a wine of finesse and elegance. Beautiful fresh dark fruits combine with underlying notes of leather, licorice, smoke, and the essence of violet. This is a wine that defies gravity and lifts you up with great balanced acidity and harmony.

Food Pairing

A perfect wine for foods cooked over an open flame or charred, like octopus, kabobs, sausages, and pork. Perfect with a pizza topped with ricotta and mozzarella.

Varietal Notes