“PT” Pettineo Vino di Contrada IGT Sicilia 2021

This single-varietal Frappato comes from the Contrada Pettineo. This historic contrada lies behind the mountain ridge of the Serra San Bartolo and always produces extremely elegant wines. Thanks to the deep layer of sea sand a good 50-60 cm above the limestone base, the 60-year-old vines produce fruity wines with a vibrant acid structure and immense length. Originally planted in Albarello, the previous owner converted the vineyard into a trellis, which does not prevent Occhipinti from allowing it to grow upwards between the vines for adapted foliage management. In the hot and windy climate of southern Sicily, Arianna Occhipinti works without irrigation, instead sowing fava beans and other useful plants. They protect the soil and the vines, which were propagated by old genetics with the Massale selection. They work exclusively with gravity and there is no new wood, only used containers. Occhipinti dispenses with the DOC classification in favour of a fresher grape variety expression and sells its single-vineyard wines as IGT Terre Siciliane. The average production is only 2700 bottles.

Medium ruby red colour with a transparent core.

The expansive frappato fruit of the 2021 Vino di Contrada Pettineo from Arianna Occhipinti is characterised by a contemporary but pleasantly disciplined reductive note reminiscent of match dust. With a little aeration, the fruit begins to reach its full size Sparkling and clear in deep ruby, it smells of wild raspberries, black cherries and mulberries, complemented by spicy flavours such as light tobacco and black pepper. Open-hearted and almost chummy and trusting, it is currently very approachable among the Contrade wines, which should not obscure the view into the future!

The Pettineo does the fine balancing act between fine-grained, fresh tannins and juicy, tart fruit and thus offers the best prerequisites for Frappato beginners for an upscale Sicilian experience. With fresh fruit and taut juice, it is transparent and profound on the palate, outlined by shimmering red fruit and finely contoured tannins on the tongue. With fine spice in the background, it shines ruby red on the palate before flowing into the long, cool finish.