Tenuta Sallier de La Tour La Monaca Syrah Monreale
A deep, inky ruby-purple with intense aromas of black cherry, blackberry, and blueberry, spicy licorice, and tobacco. The palate is full of rich dark fruit flavors of plum and cassis layered with mocha, black pepper, and balsamic herb notes. The Estate has belonged to the Sallier de La Tour family, Princes of Camporeale near Palermo, since the mid-nineteenth century. Originally from the Piedmont region of Italy, the family moved to Sicily in the 18th century. They built the winery (La Monaca) in 1909, its name inspired by the highest hill found on the property, which is located just behind the Estate.
Classification: DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata)
Grape Varietal: Syrah
Feature: Sustainable, Vegan
Country: Italy
Region: Sicily
Appellation: Monreale
Grape Profile: Syrah typically features rich fruit flavors such as blackberry, plum, and blueberry. It often carries secondary notes of spices, black pepper, and sometimes smoked meat or olive-like savory elements. The use of oak in aging can introduce flavors of vanilla, toast, and coffee.
Region Profile: The Monreale wine region, located in northwestern Sicily, just inland from the city of Palermo, is a historic yet under-the-radar area that’s beginning to reassert itself in the modern Sicilian wine renaissance. The area enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cooler nights thanks to its elevation and proximity to the Tyrrhenian Sea. This diurnal range helps preserve acidity and freshness in the grapes.
Pair with: Steak. Grilled and roasted meats. Hearty vegetables like mushrooms, squash, and carrots. Stews, rich sauces and demi-glazes. Hard, aged cheeses like Gouda and Cheddar.
