COS
Pithos Bianco - 2012
8.50 / 10

Type
White Still, Dry
Producer
COS
Vintage
2012
Location
Italy, IGP Terre Siciliane
Grapes
Grecanico
Alcohol
10.5
Sugar
1
Price
2175 UAH, 2489 UAH
Cellar
N/A

Pithos Bianco is 100% Grecanico growing at 230 meters above sea level on red soils of limestone-siliceous nature. The average age of vines is 12 years. The fruits were fermented spontaneously in terracotta amphorae (as the name suggests) on the skins with indigenous yeasts. Aged for an undefined amount of time in amphora.

Producer

Azienda Agricola COS was founded in 1980 by three friends: Giambattista Cilia, Giusto Occhipinti, and Cirino Strano. The name is just an acronym of their family names (in case you didn’t notice). The trio is known for the transformation of Cerasuolo di Vittoria wine from DOC to DOCG level (the only one on the island), as their 2005 release was the first to bear the new designation.

COS started its adventure with biodynamic farming and neutral terracotta vases. In 2007 (after moving to a new location), they decided to get rid of all their oak barrels in favour of 150 huge amphoras.

Ratings

2023-01-24 - 8.50

One more time, I confirm that COS wines require time to gain depth and complexity. Pithos Bianco 2012 has a beautiful bouquet of dried fruits, clay, tea, mushrooms, honey, amber and wood. Despite its age, it’s still vigorous and fresh. Almost perfectly balanced, with a surprisingly low alcohol level (10.5%) for its dry palate. The aftertaste is long and flavourful: mushrooms and citrus candies. Delicious wine.

Wine #3 on Il Pirata Vol. 3.