(February 2024) … Icario winery was established in 1998. It takes its name from mythology: the first winemaker was named Icario, which was the name given to him by Bacchus. The farm is 50 hectares of which 25 hectares are planted to grapes: 70% Sangiovese (40 years old) with the rest equal parts white (Trebbiano, Riesling, Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer) and red (Merlot and Cabernet); all sitting between 360 and 480 meters above sea level.
The area is excellent for grape growing because of the good diurnal temperatures, which can fluctuate 10+ degrees during the night, especially during the important months of July and August. Current production is approximately 100,000 bottles, with a target of hitting the 150,000 mark. The remaining part of the property is olive trees and forest.
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The Wines …
Icario 2022 Nysa Bianco IGT 
– 50% Trebbiano / 20% Gewurztraminer (body) / 10% Riesling (minerality) / 20% Chardonnay (tropical) –
Pretty minerality, with a floral and spicy component. (*** ½+)
Icario 2020 Nysa Rosso IGT
– 60% Sangiovese / 20% Merlot / 20% Cabernet Sauvignon –
(12 months barrel – 2 yrs aged in tank) – Notes of dark berries and cherry fruit mixed with mocha, coffee bean, cedar, and a touch of herbal. (*** ½+)
Icario 2022 Trebbiano IGT
– 100% Trebbiano –
Sunflower and grapefruit rind with a long finish. (*** ½)
Icario 2022 Rosso di Montepulciano
– 80% Sangiovese / 20% Merlot –
The Merlot is added to this wine to make it more approachable, sooner; it is also aged 6 months in big barrels. Fresh, light and delicious, with cherry, raspberry, and strawberry fruit – it’s a red fruit bowl of deliciousness; while the tannins and acidity help to balance it out nicely. (****)
Icario 2017 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
– 90% Sangiovese / 10% Colorino –
Very hot season – yet the wine shows a fresh mouthfeel with red berries, mocha, and a good acid seam that appears on the finish – almost ready. Give it another year, maybe two. (older vintage)
Icario 2018 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 
– 90% Sangiovese / 10% Colorino –
Very rainy season helped plump up the grapes (that’s the positive spin) – but then sunny and warm at the end (that’s what you want) … Elegant and fresh with tannins that show up early in the mouth and kick around to the finish; but there is also plenty of fruit backing it up – drink 5+ years (up to 12). (older vintage)
Icario 2019 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
– 90% Sangiovese / 10% Colorino –
The fruit really pushes its way to the fore, both on the nose and palate, where elegance and opulence meet. The red fruit shines, the tannins are well-integrated, and the acidity is on-point. (****+)
Icario 2018 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva – Vitaroccia
– 95% Sangiovese / 5% Cabernet Sauvignon –
The wine is named after a river on the property, the name means “life of the stone” … Spicy, yet elegant, good fruit composition that shows a darker side of Sangiovese – black fruit, namely dark plum with elegant tannins. Small 5000 bottles production. (****+)
Icario 2018 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Selezione – Sansasia
– Sangiovese –
This is the best expression of the Sangiovese from the property. Good modern fruit character: cherry, plum, mocha, blackberry, and cassis – 10% is created in an older appassimento style (drying grapes); while only 2000 bottles are production. (****)
