Review: Florio Vecchioflorio Sweet Marsala Superiore and Marsala Superiore Riserva Semisecco
Review: Florio Vecchioflorio Sweet Marsala Superiore and Marsala Superiore Riserva Semisecco
Until quite recently, high quality Marsala wine rarely made its way to the USA. Some mediocre varieties were imported, most intended merely for cooking purposes. But Florio Wine Cellars, the dominant producers of the style, is trying to change that. I previously reviewed one of their dry, well-aged Marsalas and was very impressed. Today we try two more Marsalas, but these are sweeter varieties, and I was delighted to find that they are both very enjoyable and approach the depth and quality of the drier wine. Sipping them, I can imagine nothing more perfect than finishing a great Italian dinner with some biscotti and a glass of fine Marsala.
2019 Florio Vecchioflorio Sweet Marsala Superiore – The bottle states this Marsala was aged at least 24 months in oak. The nose shows lovely notes of sweet dates along with some raisin and a touch of caramel. Taking a sip, I have to say: The wine tastes like sweet, liquid dates. Given a little time, the wine also shows subtler notes of raisin and dried apricot. The mouthfeel is syrupy and mouth coating. This is a sweet wine, perhaps a bit too sweet for me, but it isn’t cloying, and fans of dessert wine will find much to enjoy here. The finish is medium length as the sweetness fades. This isn’t a terribly complex wine, but it is completely enjoyable. For the price, it’s a great dessert wine, and fans of PX sherry should absolutely give it a try. A- / $16
NV Marsala Superiore Riserva Semisecco – This Marsala was aged a minimum of 4 years in oak casks, and the extra time can be appreciated in the wine’s complexity. Like the above Marsala, this one also shows bold notes of dates, but now they are more complex, joined by assertive burnt sugar, raisin, vanilla custard, and caramel. Midpalate, honey notes appear and last through the long finish. And yet I’m not sure everyone is going to like this Marsala more than the first. It certainly shows a broader range of flavors, but the simpler wine is, well, simply more delightful. One thing is certain: Whether you want simple or more complex, it is time to drink more Marsala, and personal preference will determine which of the two wines you’ll like more. A- / $55
2019 Florio Vecchioflorio Sweet Marsala Superiore
$19
