CLASSIFICATION - Typical Geographical Indication Sicily (IGT). 
1st YEAR OF PRODUCTION - Vintage year 2002. 
PRODUCTION AREA Central and southern Sicily, town of Butera along the Riesi - Gela road. “SuorMarchesa” Estate. 19,500-hectare “Passo delle Mule” vineyard. SOIL - Mixed calcareous-siliceous composition. 
ALTITUDE - From 290 to 340 meters msl. 
VINEYARDS - Upward-trained, 5,290 plants per hectare. 
CLIMATE - Mild winters with cool springs, hot and dry summers and falls. 
VINTAGE - By hand, at full maturity (after the 2nd half of 
September). 
VINIFICATION Destemming of the grapes, traditional maceration for 8 days at 28°- 30° C. 
AGEING - At least 10 months in very fine oak barrels. 
MATURING After bottling, 6 - 8 months in cellar at controlled temperature (15°- 16° C.) for the bouquet’s development. 
TASTING Colour - deep, intense ruby red. Aroma - pervasive, fruity bouquet of morello cherries and raspberries, complex with well-balanced scents of spices and vanilla. 
Flavour - rich, generous and velvety, full-bodied and persistent. 
ALCOHOL CONTENT - 13.5 v %. 
MEAN ANNUAL PRODUCTION 140,000 750-ml. bottles and 600 1,500-ml. magnum bottles. 
SERVING TEMPERATURE - 17°-18° C. 
RECOMMENDED GLASS - Transparent, balloon long-stemmed glass. 
RECOMMENDED WITH Especially with red meat dishes, wildfowl and some medium-aged cheeses. 
STORING - Reclined bottle in cool (15° C.) room, not too 
moist. 
LIFE - More than 5 years if kept in cellars with suitable conditions.