Feudo Maccari Saia Nero d'Avola 2018

Feudo Maccari Saia Nero d'Avola 2018 is a full-bodied Sicilian red wine made from 100% Nero d'Avola grapes, bottled at 14% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 93 points by James Suckling and 90 points from Wine Spectator, this vintage stands as one of southeastern Sicily's most compelling expressions of the island's signature grape, grown on old vines rooted in volcanic soils near the ancient town of Avola.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14%  |  Origin: Noto, Sicily, Italy  |  Vintage: 2018  |  Producer: Feudo Maccari

Production & Heritage

Feudo Maccari's estate sits in the Noto appellation on Sicily's southeastern coast, a zone historically regarded as the spiritual home of the Nero d'Avola grape. The Saia bottling draws from vines that are 30 to 40 years old, trained using the traditional Sicilian alberello (head-training) system — a low-growing, bush-vine method that limits yields and concentrates flavor. These vines grow over a distinctive volcanic mix of white sand, stones, and chalk, lending a mineral backbone uncommon in many Nero d'Avola wines. After harvest, the wine is aged for 12 to 14 months in French oak barrels, building structure without overwhelming the fruit character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with sweet and sour cherry layered over walnut and toasted oak. Deeper investigation reveals mocha, cedar, and dark-skinned fruit, with subtle sandalwood and spice notes emerging as the wine breathes.

Taste: On entry, the palate delivers concentrated dark plum and black olive, joined quickly by dried herbs and espresso at mid-palate. The wine is full-bodied and dense, with prune, black pepper, and ripe raspberry rounding out a richly layered mid-to-late palate. Leathery tannins provide firm but smooth framing throughout.

Finish: The finish is long and warming, with lingering notes of dark spice, mineral, and toasted oak. Tannins resolve gracefully, leaving a dry, savory impression that invites another sip.

How to Drink Saia Nero d'Avola

This wine shows best at cellar temperature (around 16–18°C / 61–64°F), poured into a large-bowled glass and allowed 20–30 minutes to open. Decanting rewards with even greater aromatic complexity. While the Saia is built primarily for the table, it also works in wine-forward cocktails: a Kalimotxo riff using the Saia's dark fruit and cola adds unexpected depth; a classic Sangria benefits from its concentrated plum and cherry backbone; and a simple Red Wine Spritz with sparkling water and an orange twist makes a refreshing warm-weather serve that preserves the wine's character.

Best For

• Pairing with slow-braised lamb or hearty Sicilian pasta dishes
• Gifting to a red wine enthusiast who appreciates Italian varietals
• Building a cellar of Southern Italian wines with aging potential
• Hosting an Italian wine tasting focused on indigenous Sicilian grapes

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Saia Nero d'Avola taste like? It is a full-bodied red dominated by concentrated dark plum, black olive, dried herbs, and espresso, framed by smooth leathery tannins and a lingering spice finish. The 2018 vintage also shows evolved notes of prune, mocha, and black pepper.

How does Saia Nero d'Avola compare to Planeta Santa Cecilia? Both are premium, single-estate Nero d'Avola wines from southeastern Sicily, but the Saia draws from old bush-trained vines on volcanic sand and chalk soils in Noto, giving it a pronounced mineral quality. Planeta Santa Cecilia is sourced from vineyards near Noto as well, though stylistically it tends toward a more international oak profile, while Saia leans into its terroir-driven, savory character.

Is Saia Nero d'Avola good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the 2018 Saia's balance of ripe fruit, structured tannins, and complex spice make it an ideal wine for contemplative sipping on its own, especially after brief decanting.

Where is Saia Nero d'Avola made? Saia is produced by Feudo Maccari on their estate in Noto, located on the southeastern tip of Sicily near the town of Avola — the grape's namesake origin. The vineyards sit over volcanic soils composed of white sand, stones, and chalk.

What foods pair well with Saia Nero d'Avola? Slow-braised lamb shanks complement the wine's dark fruit and herb notes. Eggplant caponata echoes its savory, Mediterranean character. Aged pecorino cheese mirrors its tannic structure. Grilled sausages with fennel highlight the spice undertones. Dark chocolate desserts pair well with the mocha and espresso notes on the finish.

What sizes does Saia Nero d'Avola come in? The Feudo Maccari Saia Nero d'Avola 2018 is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Saia Nero d'Avola worth the price? The Saia positions as a premium Sicilian red, and its 93-point James Suckling score and 90-point Wine Spectator rating suggest it delivers quality well above its price tier. For a wine sourced from 30- to 40-year-old bush-trained vines and aged over a year in French oak, it represents strong value within the premium Nero d'Avola category.

Why Saia Nero d'Avola?

What sets the 2018 Saia apart is its origin story: old bush-trained vines rooted in volcanic sand and chalk near the town that gave Nero d'Avola its name. Few producers in Sicily can claim vines of this age trained in the traditional alberello method on soils this distinctive. The 12- to 14-month French oak aging adds complexity without masking the grape's natural intensity, and dual critical recognition from James Suckling (93 points) and Wine Spectator (90 points) confirms this is a vintage that punches above its weight. For anyone seeking an authentic, terroir-driven Sicilian red with real structure and depth, this bottling makes a convincing case.