Grotte Alte Cerasuoli di Vittoria DOCG 2019

Wine Description for Grotte Alte Cerasuoli di Vittoria DOCG 2019 by Occhipinti

Colour & Appearance

Deep garnet red with a black core – a colour depth that hints at four years of maturation without sacrificing luminosity.

Nose

This wine unfolds like a multi-layered book: cherries, raspberries and mulberries form the red berry foundation, oscillating between concentration and refreshing vibrancy. Above these float ethereal notes of orange blossom, cedarwood and vetiver, complemented by hints of stone fruit. The nose possesses a depth and brilliance that immediately awakens desire.

Palate

On the palate, the full complexity unfolds: red vineyard peach, orange zest and transparent ruby fruit combine with subtle macchia notes. The texture is silky and elegant, supported by fine, almost dusty tannins that sit tightly along the tongue’s edge. Despite its southern provenance, this wine proves that it is not power and loudness that mark the pinnacle, but finesse and subtle persistence.

Finish

Orchestral and of impressive length. The aromatic depth lingers long – a finish whose duration is scarcely quantifiable.

Terroir & Origin

The grapes come from around 40-year-old vines on the limestone ridges of Vittoria at 280 metres elevation. The wine is a reflection of its provenance, uniting the spicy sea air with the downdrafts of the Iblean Mountains – Mediterranean identity in its purest form.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Classic cuvée of 50% Nero d’Avola and 50% Frappato. Spontaneous fermentation with vineyard-native yeasts over 30 days on the skins in neutral concrete, followed by four years‘ maturation in 50-hectolitre barrels of Burgundian oak from Marc Grenier. A further four months in bottle before release – a patience project that pays dividends in every sip.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Aubergine involtini with mozzarella in tomato sauce, pan-fried red mullet in bouillabaisse broth on stockfish purée or Portuguese kid goat with Massa de Pimentão from the oven.

Special Features

Sicily’s only DOCG wine that Arianna Occhipinti herself describes as perhaps her most ambitious project. A wine that unjustly stands in the shadow of her celebrated Contrade wines – in truth, one of Sicily’s truly great red wines.