Vineyard and terroir

Sito dell’Ulmo is a single-vineyard Merlot from Ulmo, beside Lake Arancio in the district of Sambuca di Sicilia (AG). The vines were planted in 1987 at 195 m above sea level, with a density of 4,545 vines per hectare and a yield of 85 quintals per hectare (8.5 t/ha). They are trained on an espalier with Guyot pruning.

The medium-textured soils range from moderately deep to deep. They contain abundant pebbles, are moderately calcareous and include areas of dark soil rich in plant-derived material.

Cultivation follows organic-agriculture criteria and the SOStain® protocol. Berseem clover, subterranean clover, beans, vetch, mustard and spontaneous plants provide ground cover. Vine health is managed with minimal quantities of sulphur and copper, while beneficial insects and mating disruption are used against pests. The wine carries SOStain® certification.

Grapes

100% Merlot.

Vinification

The 2021 grapes were harvested by hand from 15 to 21 September, placed in 15 kg crates and transported immediately to the winery. After crushing and destemming, the must entered stainless-steel tanks for alcoholic fermentation. Fermentation lasted 6–8 days, beginning at approximately 16 °C, continuing at 20–22 °C and reaching 25–26 °C toward completion, when refrigeration was discontinued.

Two or three short pump-overs, each lasting 15–20 minutes, were carried out daily according to the stage of fermentation. This gentle extraction was intended to preserve the skins and develop complexity. Once fermentation was complete, the wine was racked and separated from the lees.

Ageing

The wine matured for 14 months in French Allier oak barrels: 50% new, 25% second-use and 25% third-use. Malolactic fermentation took place entirely in barrel. The 2021 vintage was bottled in June 2023 with a single-piece natural cork.

Technical data

The 2021 vintage has 14% alcohol, total acidity of 6.33 g/L and pH 3.38. Available bottle formats are 0.75 L, 1.5 L, 3 L, 5 L, 9 L and 12 L; the 0.75 L bottle weighs 500 g.

Tasting profile

Compact ruby in colour. The aromatic profile combines sweet blackcurrant juice and candied violet with thyme and lavender. The palate is savoury and intense, structured by lively, multifaceted tannins. Its appealing tannic texture leads into an exceptionally long finish.

Serving and pairing

Suitable for white meats with complex sauces or delicately cooked fish without lemon, optionally accompanied by roasted green vegetables. It can also be enjoyed on its own. The wine may be drunk immediately or cellared for up to 10 years.

Vintage notes

The 2021 growing year brought rainfall approximately 40% below the ten-year average, requiring irrigation. Budbreak was slightly early, and harvest arrived around one week ahead of the usual schedule. Although summer included some very hot days, extreme-heat days were fewer than in years such as 2017. Unusually abundant rain in June, July and August moderated the heat, with dry intervals providing suitable harvesting conditions. Menfi produced particularly strong results from the red French varieties: Merlot showed excellent colour and tannin quality. The grapes were healthy, while crop volume fell between the 2020 and 2018 levels and was broadly consistent with a normal harvest.

History

The first vintage was 1995. The wine arose from identifying the Ulmo vineyard, planted beside Lake Arancio in 1987, as a particularly suitable site for Merlot.