GRAPE VARIETY: Nerello Mascalese
AREA OF PRODUCTION: Castiglione di Sicilia, northern slopes of mount Etna
CONTRADA: Pietrarizzo
GROWING SISTEM: Counter-espalier
PRUNING SYSTEM: Cordon pruned and tied-up vine
YIELD PER HECTARE: 60 quintals
HARVEST PERIOD: 2th and 3th dacade of October
WINEMAKING SYSTEM: After the grapes are harvested by hand in small crates they are quickly brought to the winery where they are manually selected on a belt-conveyor. Then they are destemmed and not completely crushed, and sent to truncated cone shaped wooden vat, where they macerate for about 10/12 days at a temperature of 22/25 °C. On a daily basis, many times per day, the grapes on maceration are
manually punched down with the usage of a pneumatic fulling machine. After fermentation, the grapes are left to macerate for few days more, than wine is separated from grape skins, which are pressed with a traditional vertical press. The wine obtained is aged in wooden barrels of 25 hectoliter for 12 month before being bottled.
AGING: More than 1 year in wooden barrels and in cement tanks and about 3 months in bottle.
COLOR AND TASTING NOTES: Ruby red, delicate and incredibly balanced on the nose, clear hints of red berries, flowers, perfectly integrated to a minerality and evolution worthy of a great wine. Great structure on the mouth with a surprising drinkability and elegance.