A marriage of love between France and Sicily
Altavilla della Corte
IGT Terre Siciliane
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is a vine originating from Bordeaux that produces wines characterised by an incomparable smoothness on the palate. It is the variety favoured in the production of great reds destined for long-term ageing. Thanks to an incredible capacity to adapt to different climates, it is the most diffuse vine in the entire world. Altavilla della Corte Cabernet Sauvignon is a label that seals the pact of love between two historical wine-producing regions of the world: France and Sicily. The first is the land of origin for the Cabernet Sauvignon grape; the second is the island at the heart of the Mediterranean where the Di Gaetano Family brought the dream of Firriato to life. A land that has always been dedicated to quality viticulture, Sicily manages to express all its authenticity in the glass.
Cabernet Sauvignon is a vine originating from Bordeaux that produces wines characterised by an incomparable smoothness on the palate. It is the variety favoured in the production of great reds destined for long-term ageing. Thanks to an incredible capacity to adapt to different climates, it is the most diffuse vine in the entire world.
- Appellation: IGT Terre Siciliane
- Vine: Cabernet Sauvignon
- Terroir: hilly
- Soil: calcareous-clayey
- Exposure: south-west (200 mt. a.s.l.)
Production Area
Borgo Guarini
The complexity of the different climate conditions and the orographic diversity of the land in the Borgo Guarini Estate, in western Sicily, contribute towards creating the ideal habitat necessary for the cultivation of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Altavilla della Corte
Cabernet Sauvignon and the Sicilian Terroir
This fusion of Sicilian character with a French imprint gives life to a remarkably drinkable wine. It is a single varietal Cabernet Sauvignon which attests to the surprising versatility of this French vine, and, at the same time, Sicily’s natural propensity for quality viticulture. The grapes cultivated at Borgo Guarini perfectly highlight the synergy between the land and the art of winemaking, which, as ever, characterises Firriato’s wines. At the Borgo Guarini Estate in Sicily, this French variety has found a loving, adoptive home that recalls the characteristics of the soil and climate conditions of its place of origin, but in a Mediterranean vein.
ALTAVILLA DELLA CORTE CABERNET SAUVIGNON
The characteristics of vintages
2019
The 2019 harvest is generally influenced by cooler and rainier weather conditions compared to the norm in previous years.
2018
Vintage 2018 i began with steady and constant rains, and then stabilized during the final step of the veraison of the grapes, with cooler temperatures compared to 2017 ones together with good temperature variations between day and night.
2017
In 2017, the climate trend led to a regular vegeto-production cycle. At the beginning of summer, thanks to a good vegetative curve, the plants presented themselves in excellent phytosanitary conditions. Despite the temperature values above the seasonal averages recorded between July and August, the day / night temperature variations guaranteed a good aromatic and polyphenolic maturation.
The bright ruby red wine, with hints of red fruit, spices and toasted notes is broad and complex, with very delicate and soft tannins.
2015
Very complex in terms of weather, the heat and rain Fall 2014 resulted in the appearance of a significantly reduced spontaneous sward and characterized by the presence of species microthermal (those that adapt and grow at low temperatures). In late they turn out to be the most wild and cultivated plants seed. The start of winter was cold, with the strong reduction of sporigen due to the Spring 2014 greatly damp. This has lowered the microbial load start and a reduced ability of virulent pathogens in the early stages of their development (April). The plants have fulfilled their cold requirement, this has led to a budding a little more anticipated the force conditions were good, with a good vegetation / production with a greater uniformity of the shoots and bunches. The production remains in line with previous years.
2014
A Memorable vintage especially thanks to the uniform climate conditions: rainy spring and fresh summer ease slow and gradual ripeness. The particularity of summer islinked to the lack of Sirocco. July does not achieve heat peaks. At the same time marked temperature fluctuations between day and night concern all Firriato’s estates triggering aromas and fragrances development. All the mentioned elements contribute to slow and balanced ripeness of fruits. Slow phenolic ripeness triggered greater aromatic complexity together with polyphenolic stability that underlines the long ageing-orientation of the wine.
2013
The vintage looks fruity, both in quantity and especially in quality were obtained “wines of interesting profile”. Because of the climate the gathering lasted until the last week of September. The year 2013 has enabled a slower collection and then a gradual maturity: the harvest wasdelayed by two weeks.
2012
The run of vines growing season, during the flowering and fruit setting, has been pretty regular. Anomalies during veraison and ripening phases were not present. The harvest of white, early varieties, has started earlier than the previous year. Lucifer, Charon and this summer’s other African anticyclones have been a blessing for the vintage, “an exceptional year regarding the quality”. This year the warm weather anticipated the harvest start, the high temperatures did definitely enhance the quality of the wines we shall drink: warm weather causes a dehydration of grapes. The water evaporation concentrates acids and sugars, giving origin to richer and full flavoured wines.
2011
This is the first year that Altavilla della Corte has been produced using only Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, as it was previously blended with the autochthonous Nero d’Avola variety. The rainfall this year was lower compared to average rainfall values for Sicily and mainly occurred during the spring. The cool temperatures and scarce rainfall had a significant effect on the Cabernet Sauvignon harvest, which began in the middle third of September, with a slightly lower yield of grapes.
ALTAVILLA DELLA CORTE CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Awards
2010
Gambero Rosso: 2 black glasses
Annuario dei Migliori Vini Italiani: 87 pts
2009
Annuario dei Migliori Vini Italiani: 88 pts. The Best producer of the year
Bibenda: 3 clusters
Luigi Veronelli: 3 red stars
2008
Wine Spectator: 87 pts
Gambero Rosso: 2 black glasses
Bibenda: 3 clusters
I Vini d’Italia – Le Guide dell’Espresso: 15,0/20 pts
Luigi Veronelli:3 red stars
2007
Luigi Veronelli: 3 red stars
1997
Wine Spectator: 86 pts
Paired with
Wilted Spinach on a Cream of Goat’s Cheese with Saffron
Heat the oil in a pan and add the flour. Once the flour has dissolved add the vegetable stock to which the saffron threads should be added. Stir the mixture and add the fresh goat’s cheese making sure that it melts down well. Season with salt and pepper and blend while hot. Set aside.
