About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
Maroccoli comes from its namesake vineyard in Sambuca di Sicilia (AG), at 370 metres above sea level. The limestone soil contains abundant medium-sized stony material, little clay and a substantial silty fraction. Planting density is 4,545 vines per hectare, with a yield of 75 quintals per hectare. The vines are trained on espalier and spur-pruned cordons.
Cultivation follows the SOStain® protocol. Clover, vetch, yellow mustard and spontaneous vegetation form the ground cover, increasing organic matter and nitrogen while supporting soil microfauna. Vine health is managed with minimal quantities of sulphur and copper. Beneficial insects, mating disruption, zeolite, kaolin and plant extracts are used to control pests and reinforce the plants.
Grapes
100% Syrah. The first vintage was 1999.
Vinification
For the 2021 vintage, harvesting ran from 28 August to 17 September. The grapes were picked by hand into 15 kg crates and taken immediately to the winery, where they were pressed and destemmed. Alcoholic fermentation proceeded in stainless-steel vats for 12–14 days. Temperature was maintained at 14–15°C during the opening phase, increased to 20–22°C during the second phase and reached 25–27°C near the end after refrigeration was stopped.
The cap was worked twice daily with short pump-overs lasting 12–18 minutes, adjusted to the stage of fermentation to protect the skins and build complexity. After alcoholic fermentation, the tanks were topped with wine from the same vineyard. Skin contact continued for another 18–20 days before racking. Malolactic fermentation was completed in stainless steel.
Ageing
The wine matured for 14 months in French Allier oak barriques. The barrel composition was 35% new oak, 35% second-use and 30% third-use. The 2021 vintage was bottled in June 2023.
Technical data
Menfi DOC. Alcohol: 14% vol. Total acidity: 5.75 g/L. pH: 3.38. Available formats are 0.375 L, 0.75 L, 1.5 L, 3 L, 5 L, 9 L and 12 L. The 0.75 L bottle weighs 500 g and is sealed with a one-piece natural cork.
Tasting profile
The 2021 wine has a deep, nearly opaque purple-red colour. The nose combines sweet oriental spices, roasted cocoa, mahogany and a marine nuance, followed by ripe plum. Dense, silky tannins accompany soft, well-integrated alcohol. Pepper and orange marmalade shape the palate, with herbs and another note of pepper on the finish.
The broader profile moves between sunny black fruit and darker tones of leather and humus, with a velvety texture and a finish recalling mint and black pepper. Powerful and imposing in structure, Maroccoli is designed for extended ageing.
Serving and pairing
Pair with marinated and grilled lamb cutlets accompanied by mint, or with Parmesan and smoked provola. The 2021 vintage may be enjoyed immediately or cellared for 7–10 years.
Vintage notes
The 2020–2021 agricultural year brought rainfall around 40% below the ten-year average, requiring irrigation. Budbreak was slightly early, although spring did not accelerate development further, and the harvest began about one week ahead of the usual schedule. Summer included some very hot days, but fewer extreme-temperature events than in 2017. Rain during June, July and August was unusually generous for Sicily, alternating with dry periods suitable for harvesting and moderating the effects of heat.
Conditions in western Sicily particularly favoured the hillside French varieties, with Syrah showing excellent colour and tannin quality. The grapes were fully healthy, and production fell between the levels recorded in 2020 and 2018, broadly in line with a normal harvest.