A terrific production of 60,000 bottles, the Planeta 2019 Sicilia Menfi Cometa is an icon wine of Sicily and deservedly so. Fiano is simply radiant and lusciously rich in this medium-bodied expression. The 2019 vintage shaped nicely concentrated and flavorful fruit of apricot, honey and baked pear. Only 10% of the wine sees oak, but that's more than enough to render the extra depth and soft textural richness that puts this wine a cut above the other more one-dimensional interpretations of this indigenous Italian grape.\n Producer Information\n Planeta is a well-regarded, large scale wine producer based in western Sicily but with vineyards across the Italian island. These cover Etna and Noto in the east, to Vittoria in the south and Mamertino di Milazzo in the northeast and Menfi (where the main winery is located) in the west. Planeto produces a range of high-end wines across the IGT and DOCG levels from select appellations. The winery was founded by cousins Alessio and Santi Planeta with their uncle Diego, who originally owned the Settesoli wine cooperative. At Planeta, there are six different wine-producing estates spread across the island, producing wines from local grapes Fiano and Nero d'Avola, as well as international varieties like Chardonnay, Syrah and Merlot. The six individual estates cover a variety of terroirs, varieties and methods of production. Menfi Dispensa is in the west is the heart of the family's land. It has the largest estate and winery and it the site of the private residence of the Planeta family. Varieties such as Fiano, Garganega, Chardonnay, Syrah and Nero d'Avola are grown here. Another of the Planeta estates is Buonivini in Noto, on the southeast corner of the island. Grapes grown and produced here include Nero d'Avola and Moscato Bianco, and are used to make Santa Cecilia DOC Noto and Passito di Noto respectively. The soils here are calcareous and rich in clay with a fine texture and high water retention.
