96 points

2018 Donnafugata Mille e una Notte

James Suckling, James Suckling, August 2022

“A deep nose of plum, blackberry, red licorice and ground coriander. Medium-to full-bodied with some tense tannins. Fresh. Well-ripened fruit that shows lovely depth, but is not overdone whatsoever. Red fruit takes charge on the palate. A hint of caper, too. Lovely and precise for a wet vintage. Best after 2023.”

92 points

2018 Donnafugata Mille e una Notte

Eric Guido, Vinous, July 2022

“The 2018 Mile e una Notte opens slowly in the glass, dark and floral, whispering its bouquet of violets and lavender. Coaxing brings forward depths of black currant, mocha, and balsam herbs, while remaining youthfully poised. It washes across the palate with a silken wave of mineral-tinged black berries and savory spices, as a bitte tension mixes with fine-grained tannins toward the close. The finishes structured and classically dry, yet incredibly long, with hints of Baker's chocolate and tobacco. The 2018 is wrapped up tight and in need of cellaring to show its best. Mille e una Notte is composed primarily of Ner D'Avola, Petit Verdot and Syrah, which is refined in new barriques for 14 months. ”

95 points

2020 Donnafugata Ben Ryé

James Suckling, James Suckling, August 2022

“Concentrated nose of dried apricots, peaches, marmalade, sweet figs, honey and lemon curd. Layered and luscious, with a creamy and honeyed texture. Decadent and intense. Drink or hold.”

96 points

2019 Donnafugata Ben Ryé

Eric Guido, Vinous, July 2022

“The 2019 Passito di Pantelleria Ben Ryé is an aromatic rollercoaster of tropical fruits and nectars, blending mango and papaya with peach preserves, then exotic sweet spices and florals, yet with an airy smoky note that pulls it all together. This is weighty, like honey, and nearly as sweet, with bright acids and a saline-mineral tinge that both lifts the expression while also adding savory depth. The finale, if you can call it a finale, seals the deal with its tremendous length and kaleidoscope of flavors, as kiwi, Jordan Almonds, candied orange peels, and citrus sorbet and butter cookie all make an appearance. But the best part of all is that the 2019 never tires the senses and keep urging me back to the glass. Brava, Donnafugata. This is, without a doubt, the most complete Ben Ryé that I've ever tasted. ”

96 points

2019 Donnafugata Ben Ryé

James Suckling, James Suckling, August 2021

“A really complex dessert wine that can still remember that it was made from grapes, and the aromatic Zibibbo grape gives this an extraordinary range of aromas, from caramelized mandarin orange and dried apricot to black tea, via popcorn and sauteed peanuts. Such a beautiful balance of lush exotic-fruit and orange flavors and lively acidity. Everything fits so neatly and this still tastes fantastic now, but the longer you wait the better! Drink or hold.”

94 points

2018 Donnafugata Ben Ryé

Kerin O'Keefe, Wine Enthusiast, February 2022

“Made with 100% dried Zibibbo grapes, this iconic dessert wine opens with aromas of mature apricot, acacia honey and orange jam. The savory, balanced palate offers candied peach, date, sweet almond and cinnamon. The finish is long and persistent.”

93 points

2018 Donnafugata Ben Ryé

Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator, December 2021

“A deeply hued, golden sweetie that's beautifully fragrant, with mouth-coating flavors of glazed apricot, candied ginger and salted caramel layered upon aromas of ground cardamom, orange blossom, incense and myrrh. Lightly mouthwatering and harmonious throughout, with a lasting, spiced finish. Drink now through 2028. ”

95 points

2018 Donnafugata Ben Ryé

James Suckling, James Suckling, August 2022

“So much dried apricot with tangerines, cocoa, sultanas and hints of salted peanuts. Some smoke and tarte tatin, too. Full-bodied with a very sweet palate that’s like Seville-orange marmalade. Vibrant finish. Complex. Drink now.”

89 points

2018 Donnafugata Sul Vulcano Etna Rosso

Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator, December 2021

“A fresh, light-bodied red, with a subtle, smoky underpinning and lively range of tangy raspberry and currant fruit, wild herb and red licorice notes. Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. Drink now.”

90 points

2019 Donnafugata Floramundi Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG

Eric Guido, Vinous, July 2021

“The 2019 Ceerasulo di Vittoria Floramundi pulls me close with a smoky blend of black currants, sage and ashen stone. This washes across the palate with soft textural fruits, as saline-minerals and savory spices saturated toward the close. A burst of sour citrus punctuates the expression nicely, as the Floramundi finishes with admirable lenght and leaves a pleasant inner sweetness. Very nice. ”