The 2011 Hugonis (Cabernet Sauvignon and Nero d’Avola) is a large-framed wine packed tight with ripe fruit, scorched earth, leather, tobacco, licorice and cola. Hugonis shows bold tones and big bones with a dense, yet utterly elegant mouthfeel. Drink 2015-2022. Tenuta Rapitala is part of Gruppo Italiano Vini (GIV) although the face and soul of the winery very much belongs to Laurent Bernard de la Gatinais, a tireless promoter of Sicilian wine excellence. I had the pleasure of knowing Laurent’s parents, French Count Hugues Bernard de la Gatinais and Gigi Guarrasi from one of Palermo’s main noble families. Together they developed Tenuta Rapitala, located near Alcamo and Camporeale in western Sicily, and played important roles in the greater Sicilian wine renaissance. When both passed away about a decade ago, in one sad sweep, Sicily lost its first lady and leading gentleman. Importer: Frederick Wildman & Sons, www.frederickwildman.com