Sicilia Nero d’Avola Passo delle Mule 2021

Passo delle Mule red wine comes from the estate of Suor Marchesa in the Riesi area along the southern coast of Sicily, one of the hottest and driest areas of the island, where Nero d'Avola reigns. It is the result of blending wines that have had different aging: some in oak and others in concrete; in this way it turns into a very soft wine, without sacrificing liveliness and ease of drinking. The vineyards extend between 290 and 340 meters above sea level on a gentle hill well exposed to the winds and close to the coast. The soils are siliceous calcareous and allow the vine’s roots to descend deeply in the ground. Nero d'Avola is the most cultivated black berried grape in Sicily and is the most representative of the entire island, but it is precisely on the southern coast of central Sicily that it finds its original and most favorable habitat; it lends itself to the production of wines with deep colors, intense and complex aromas and an important body. In addition, Nero d'Avolta wines can also be long-lived.

The grapes are harvested by hand in the second half of September. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature with a maceration of 8-10 days. The wine also carries out malolactic fermentation. A part ages for at least 10 months in oak barrels while a part ages for the same time in vitrified concrete tanks. The blend is created before bottling and the wine rests in the bottle for another 6-8 months at constant temperature and humidity in the cellars of Duca di Salaparuta.