Sito Dell’Ulmo Single Vineyard Merlot, Sicilia Menfi DOC

Planeta’s journey began at Sambuca di Sicilia, on the estate owned by the family since the 1600s. Here, three enthusiastic young Sicilians, Alessio, Francesca and Santi Planeta, under the guidance of Diego Planeta, began their winemaking venture in the mid-1980s. Subsequent years were spent matching the extraordinarily diverse Sicilian soils with both indigenous and international varieties. Planeta today encompasses six distinct wine estates in five regions across Sicily; Ulmo at Sambuca di Sicilia, Dispensa at Menfi, Dorilli at Vittoria, Buonivini at Noto, Sciara Nuova on Etna at Castiglione di Sicilia, and the newest addition, La Baronia at Capo Milazzo. Each vineyard site is carefully cultivated with grapes that best compliment the local terroir.

From the sea to the hills, up to an altitude of 400 metres, the Menfi territory holds the largest extent of our vineyards. More than 250 hectares are cultivated, and we make careful selections of our vines, both indigenous and international varieties, to the specifics of each terroir. The higher altitude soils are more limey and chalky. The slope ensures perfect drainage. Sito dell'Ulmo is a single-variety merlot, planted on the banks of Lake Arancio, an ideal place for the cultivation of this traditional French vareity.

The harvest took place in mid-September. Destalking followed by 14 days on the skins; fermentation at 28°C; after racking malolactic fermentation in stainless steel.

Its uniqueness emerges in a particular way with a diverse but lively structure of tannins and with its strong and intensely savory taste. This version of a densely ruby-colored Merlot, so rich with the sweet juice of black currant and candied violet which alternates with thyme and lavender. It is a multi-faceted and intriguing red wine which combines the pleasure of tannin with an extraordinary persistence of taste.