Syrah di Macellarotto DOC Monreale 2022

Deep, glowing purple in the glass, with warm, intense fruit above it: blackberry, plum, morello cherry and sweet cherry, then cassis. Sloe and barberry add tart, acidic accents, while dark chocolate and liquorice provide what one would expect from the variety at these latitudes. Leather, pepper and juniper join in, hibiscus and violet lighten the picture, while dates and dried fig sit in the background. Above the earthiness, thyme and sage.

Case Alte is located in the municipality of Camporeale, in the hills of western Sicily, near Palermo. The Vaccaro family has grown wine here for three generations, today under Giuseppe Vaccaro. The plots reach up to 500 metres above sea level, with soils blending clay and sand. Warm days and cooler nights at this altitude draw out a longer ripening period.

Pure Syrah, planted around the turn of the millennium. After selection of the grapes and gentle fermentation, the wine ages for a year in French barrique, followed by a further year in bottle before leaving the cellar. Since 2010, all plots have been farmed organically, without synthetic chemical pesticides or artificial fertilisers; in the cellar, the principle of minimal intervention applies.

The first sip feels full, dense and dark, without becoming heavy or clumsy. The tannin stays restrained yet carries the structure. The fruit appears more subdued than on the nose, with plum and morello cherry leading. Power, fruit, spice and drive stand in balance, finished dry at 14.5% vol., smooth and broad-shouldered.

At Case Alte, the Syrah complements a range otherwise built around the native varieties Grillo, Catarratto, Nerello Mascalese and Nero d'Avola. Between barrel and bottle ageing, two years pass before the DOC Monreale leaves the cellar.