Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
Achilles comes from a one-hectare vineyard planted in 2005 at Zisola near Noto. The site lies at 130 metres above sea level with south-east exposure. Its rocky, calcareous character is further described as silt-and-clay soil with a high proportion of readily soluble limestone. Vines are head-pruned in the traditional alberello form, a system used to restrain Syrah's natural vigour in the dry Sicilian climate. The vineyard has a 2.00 × 0.90 m planting layout, approximately 5,555 vines per hectare, 140 Ruggeri rootstock and an average yield of 70 quintals per hectare. Vineyard care follows controlled organic methods.
Grapes
100% Syrah.
Vinification
The 2020 grapes were picked by hand from 10 September. Fermentation took place at 27°C, followed by 15 days of maceration.
Ageing
The wine matured for 16 months in 225-litre French oak barrels, half of them new.
Technical data
The 2020 has 14.50% alcohol and 5.85 g/L total acidity. It was bottled in December 2022 and released in May 2023. Production totalled 6,000 bottles. Formats are 750 ml, 1.5 L and 3 L. The first vintage was 2015, and ageing potential exceeds 20 years.
Tasting profile
Full and elegant, showing black cherry, leafy and forest-underbrush notes, followed by a rich, tannic finish.
Serving and pairing
Pair with game stews, porcini mushrooms or firm cheeses such as Ragusano.
Vintage notes
Rainfall was very limited in 2020. Early-year cold supported dormancy and pruning, but growth began in early March, almost two weeks ahead of average, and remained early through flowering and fruit set. Light rain in early June replenished water reserves before a typically hot, dry Sicilian summer with marked night-time cooling. These conditions continued through September, supporting full ripening and aromatic development. The estate-wide harvest ran from 27 August to 30 September; April-to-September rainfall was 174 mm and the temperature index reached 4,114°C. The vintage was rated good, with mineral character and lively acidity.
