“Contrada FL Fossa di Lupo” Rosso Terre Siciliane IGT 2021 (BIO)

Occhipinti | Sicily
Az. Agr. Arianna Occhipinti | Via dei Mille 55 | IT 97019 Vittoria

19212821 · 0,75 l · 78,67 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shippingavailable immediately

Fossa di Lupo is one of the most impressive contrade in the Vittoria region – an old hillside vineyard with sandy-clay soil over a deep limestone vein. Its north-easterly exposure and the cool downdraughts at night create a microclimate that is conducive to ripening. For Arianna Occhipinti, it is a real place that has accompanied her life as a winemaker since the very beginning. In this historic contrada north-west of Vittoria, her oldest Frappato vines are rooted in sandy soil interspersed with calcareous subsoil. A site with a history that Arianna has always considered to be the centrepiece of her work – powerful and delicate, quiet and expressive at the same time. The wine comes from 100% Frappato, harvested from vines over 60 years old. Fermentation with the vineyard's own yeasts, around 35 days on the skins, no fining, no filtration. Maturation takes place over 22 months in cement – a deliberate decision not to use wood in order to reveal the pure texture and vibrant character of Frappato.

In the glass, the FL is a bright ruby red colour with a slightly transparent core. The aroma is seductively complex: redcurrant, fresh cherry, rosehip, a hint of orange peel, underpinned by dried herbs, sage, iron and cool earth. Lively on the palate, with fine acidity, silky tannins and dancing lightness. The mineral vein is present, but never dominant – it stretches under the fruit like a line that holds everything together. FL stands for Fossa di Lupo, but also for a philosophy: the expression of a great Frappato, honest, free and full of inner voice. SUPERIORE.DE

"It has a dark ruby red colour and the most uncompromising nose among the "vini di contrada". It takes a few minutes to shed its wild exuberance and reveal flavours of freshly picked blackberries, tapenade and soy sauce. It is also more tannic than the other two single-vineyard Frappato and needs some ageing time to fully develop. In the slightly powdery finish, sour cherries mingle with minerals and a hint of earth." Decanter

"The Arianna Occhipinti 2021 Frappato Vino di Contrada FL offers a beautiful combination of sweet cherry-cola and elegant earthy tones reminiscent of fresh potting soil. This Frappato shows a slightly darker colour with an extra concentration that is not usual for this grape. The mild tannins are chalky with a hint of phenolic bitterness." Vinous