Italy

Terre Siciliane

Medium

Cork

From what is said to be Europe's highest vineyard – 1.1ha of vines at 1,520 metres above sea level on Etna's south slope in Biancavilla – this new project is the height (excuse the pun) of risk taking. Experts at the University of Palermo warned Stef Yim that his vines wouldn't ripen fully at this altitude, but he persisted and the result of this first vintage (sadly just 70 bottles) is likely to remain in my memory for a long time. A blend of Dijon-clone Pinot Noir, Grenache and Pineau d'Aunis matured in demijohns, it's wildly flinty, sulphurous and smoky, with some raspberry peeking through. It's an addictive aroma which captures the beauty and power of the volcano, and this continues in the mouth. This is quite a light red, tightly coiled with some petrichor among the raspberry, sour cherry, grapefruit peel and blood orange. The best way to describe this is to imagine a punnet of red fruits crushed underfoot on a pavement that's soaked by the summer rain.

Grenache / Garnacha

Pineau d'Aunis

Pinot Noir / Pinot Nero

Sciara, 1520 Metri, Terre Siciliane, Sicily, Italy, 2022

From what is said to be Europe's highest vineyard – 1.1ha of vines at 1,520 metres above sea level on Etna's south slope in Bian

Sciara, 1520 Metri, Terre Siciliane, Sicily, Italy, 2022

Related Wines

Articles