Syrah di Macellarotto DOC Monreale 2023

A dense, spicy red wine from western Sicily that brings together warmth and clear structure. The fruit is concentrated, blackberry and black cherry, with spice and fine toasted notes from the barrel behind it. At 14.5% vol., the wine has weight yet remains composed. At the estate, it is regarded as the quintessence of their cellar work.

Case Alte is located in the municipality of Camporeale near Palermo. The vineyards reach up to 500 metres above sea level, and the soils mix clay and sand, giving the wine structure and finesse. At this altitude, warm days and cooler nights slow the ripening of the grapes. Giuseppe Vaccaro runs the estate, now in the third generation of the Vaccaro family; since the new winery was built in 2010, work has been carried out continuously along organic principles, without chemical-synthetic pesticides or artificial fertilisers, but with green manure, hedges and flowering strips instead.

The Syrah was planted around the turn of the millennium and takes on a distinctly Sicilian character in the Mediterranean conditions and soils here. After selecting the grapes and gentle fermentation, the wine matures for a year in French barriques. After bottling, it spends another year in the cellar in bottle. The cellar work is guided by the principle of minimal intervention.

The opening is juicy and dark-fruited, the tannins are ripe and fine, and the spice carries through to a long finish. Power and structure are in balance here.

Two years of ageing before release: twelve months in French barrique, followed by a year in bottle. Made in a dry style, from organically farmed parcels at altitudes up to 500 metres.