Syrah di Macellarotto DOC Monreale 2019

The Syrah di Macellarotto of the Azienda Agricola Case Alte grows at 500 metres above sea level on loamy and sandy soils. The vines, planted in 1998, are trellised and pruned in Guyot. With a vine density of 3600 vines per hectare, the grapes are thinned out before veraison and yield an average of five tonnes per hectare. The grapes are harvested by hand into small eight-kilo bins and first destemmed in the cellar. The must is fermented in steel with selected yeasts at 23°C, the grape cap is punched down daily during the 10-12 day fermentation. The malolactic fermentation is spontaneous before the wine is aged for 12 months in French oak and then for another 12 months in the bottle.

Ruby red with a dark core.

With distinctive peppiness, the bright red fruit shines out of the glass into the night sky like an anti-aircraft spotlight in front of the open-plan disco. Cherries and red berries mingle in a joyful melange with mild spices, first and foremost black pepper, closely followed by allspice and a little nutmeg. The pleasure is rounded off by Mediterranean maquis and subtle graphite notes.

On the nose, the spicy part of the melange predominates and lines the palate with tightly woven and fine-grained tannin. With a silky texture, it is aromatically tart, the fruit acts nonchalantly in the background as the prompter of this cabinet piece. With transparent fruit and distinctive spice, it drinks in its light-heartedness with the necessary portion of seriousness. A good interpretation of the grape variety.