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SALLIER DE LA TOUR

SICILY

SALLIER DE LA TOUR

SICILY



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ABOUT THE WINERY

Just outside the bustling epicenter of Palermo in Northwest Sicily lies the Alto Belice - a fascinating landscape and cultural crossroads.   It’s here that the Monte Jato archaeological park preserves important structures dating back to the Magna Graecia settlements.  The nearby town of Monreale is among the most evocative towns of the island and is famous for its magnificent medieval cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.   It’s also here that the Sallier de La Tour winery and estate has been located for over a century.

The Estate has belonged to the Sallier de La Tour family, Princes of Camporeale, 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. In the 1940s, Paolo Sallier de La Tour increased the family’s interest in viticulture with a particular focus on native varietals Nero d’Avola and Inzolia. In 1956, Paolo Sallier de La Tour married Costanza Tasca d’Almerita, joining the two noble families together.   

While viticulture had been a function of the estate for many years, Filiberto Sallier de La Tour, Paolo’s son, started experimenting with other varietals, most notably Syrah, which had been cultivated in the region for decades.  During this time, Filiberto also began making the first estate wines under the family’s name, releasing the first commercially produced bottles labelled Sallier de La Tour in the early 2000s.  In 2008, Filiberto approached his cousin, Alberto Tasca, with the idea of joining Sallier de la Tour with the renowned Tasca d’Almerita family of wineries.  Having long been impressed with his cousin’s passion and the family’s deep ties to their land, Alberto agreed, and the two families started a new chapter in the estate’s history.  

Today, the Estate is managed by Costanza Chirivino, a member of the Sallier de La Tour family, with the support of the Tasca d’Almerita team.  Costanza's energy and enthusiasm for her family's legacy is infectious, as is her knowledge of and affinity for the region.  In addition to managing the commercial aspects of the Estate, Alberto Tasca also included the Sallier de La Tour in the company’s sustainable initiatives.  This enables and ensures that the entire property is managed according to the tenants of SOStain, a sustainability program that requires third-party certification of the estate’s impact on air, water, soil, and surrounding territory, as well as environmental, economic, and social sustainability.  


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WINERY LOCATION: Alto Belice, Sicily
REGION: Monreale DOC, Sicilia DOC
VINEYARD LAND: 50 hectares
FARMING PRACTICES: SOStain certified
GRAPE VARIETIES: Inzolia, Nero d'Avola, Syrah
WINE STYLES: Dry white wine, dry red wine, dry rosé wine
TOTAL WINE PRODUCTION: 330,000 bottles
YEAR FOUNDED: 2008
OWNER(S): The Sallier de La Tour family
WINEMAKER(S): Mario Licari

WINES

SALLIER DE LA TOUR INZOLIA SICILIA DOC

One of most historical grapes of the region, Inzolia is an ancient Sicilian variety, once used to produce table grapes thanks to its sturdy skin.  Found to also produce excellent wine, the varietal is prized for the Mediterranean aromas of orange blossom and almonds that are unique it.

SALLIER DE LA TOUR NERO D'AVOLA SICILIA DOC

Arguably the most well-known grape from Sicily, Nero d'Avola is perfectly suited for the island's terroir given its ability to thrive in saline-rich soils and maintain its acidity in the heat. Low yields guarantee a high quality and concentrated harvest. Choosing to age wine partly in wood and partly in steel tanks, allows the wine to display the fresh and fruited notes of a young wine as well as elegant, spicy and liquorish aromas of wines with more aging potential.

SALLIER DE LA TOUR SYRAH SICILIA DOC

Syrah has a long history of cultivation on the island of Sicily with first records mentioning it in 1868.  After decades of evolving and adapting to the region's unique terroir, the Sallier de La Tour family became convinced of the varietal's potential to thrive in the Monreale area where the soils are rich in potassium and the natural springs found under the vineyards allow the grapes to retain freshness.  The vineyards' exposition and proximity to the sea allow for even and optimal ripening and the resulting wines display the fruit, balance and elegance indicative of the Syrah grape.

SALLIER DE LA TOUR "LA MONACA" SYRAH MONREALE DOC

La Monaca, the name of the historical winery built in 1909 and still in use at the estate today, is named after La Monaca hill - the highest point on the estate located just behind the winery.  The grapes for this single varietal Syrah come from a two hectare vineyard of the same name, where a perfect terroir for producing a uniquely Sicilian expression of Syrah has emerged.  Sandy soils allow good drainage and less vigor which ensure even maturation of the grapes.  The resulting wine is a rich, rustic and expressive of the Monreale area where the winery is located. 

SALLIER DE LA TOUR "MADAMAROSÈ" ROSATO SICILIA DOC

Madamarosè is the counterpart to the La Monaca Syrah - a fresh, lively and bright interpretation of the varietal.  Distinctly Sicilian, the wine displays a deep color hue and aromas of citrus and herbs.  Savory and quenching, this unique rosato is as compelling on the palate as its label is striking.

LOCATION


WINERY:
Alto Belice, province of Palermo, Sicily

VINEYARD:
Area of Monreale

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NEWS AND REVIEWS FROM OUR FRIENDS IN THE INDUSTRY



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91
JULY 2022
Sallier de La Tour Nero d'Avola Sicilia DOC 2020

A firm and lightly chewy nero d'avola with earth and spice and some mushroom undertones. Medium body, solid tannins and a fresh, savory finish. Sustainable. Drink now.

93+
JUNE 2021
Sallier de La Tour "La Monaca" Syrah Monreale DOC 2018

The 2018 Syrah La Monaca is an inky purple color in the glass. It offers a dark and seductive bouquet that mixes blackberries and plum sauce with balsamic spice, brown sugar and hints of peppery herbs. Its textures are silky-smooth, casting ripe black fruits over a medium-bodied frame. The density and richness here tempt the imagination as fine tannins and minerals saturate under an air of violet florals. This finishes incredibly long, to notes of salted licorice and currants. The La Monaca is already highly enjoyable for its concentration and sheer potential, but it will blossom after a few years of cellaring. These vines were planted in 2011 in a mix of sand, clay and limestone at the Sallier de La Tour estate in the northwest section of the island. Considering how well the 2018 is showing, I can only imagine what more vine age will bring.

93
DECEMBER 2021
Sallier de La Tour "Madamarosè" Rosato Sicilia DOC 2020

EDITOR'S CHOICE Savory and inviting, this has alluring scents of wild berries, citrus, Mediterranean brush and sea breeze. It's crisp, dry and delicious, delivering juicy Morello cherry, pomegranate and dark spice notes set against crisp acidity.  

93
JULY 2022
Sallier de La Tour "La Monaca" Syrah Monreale DOC 2019

This syrah shows an impressive dark color, with aromas of cloves and other spices, as well as smoked meat and dark fruit. Medium to full body. Curated tannins that are polished and focused. Very solid and delicious. Drink now.
 
 
 

94
OCTOBER 2021
Sallier de La Tour "La Monaca" Syrah Monreale DOC 2018

This is a very fruit-forward syrah with crushed blackberry and raspberry and hints of cloves. Medium body with firm, fine tannins and a spicy, lightly meaty aftertaste. Drink or hold.

91
APRIL 2022
Sallier de La Tour "Madamarosè" Rosato Sicilia DOC 2021

The 2021 Rosato Madamarosè is pungently spicy yet fresh, showing wild strawberries offset by mint leaf and crushed rocks. It’s silky in feel with a wonderful contrast of sour citrus and zesty acids against ripe orchard fruits. This lingers long, leaving the palate stained in concentration, as a salty flourish slowly fades. This 100% Syrah Rosato from Sicily keeps the energy high, and me, coming back to the glass for more.

92
JULY 2022
Sallier de La Tour Syrah Sicilia DOC 2020

This has aromas of olives, black fruit, cracked pepper and dried herbs. Meaty and savory, with firm, chewy tannins. Compact and medium-to full-bodied, with excellent concentration. Sustainable. Better after 2023.

89
JUNE 2022
Sallier de La Tour Nero d'Avola Sicilia DOC 2020

The 2020 Nero d'Avola is both classically floral and finessed, but with intense depths of dark red berries and exotic spices that keep me coming back to the glass. Its textures are silky, with violet-laced wild berries and mineral tones that create a savory expression toward the close. This leaves a coating of grippy tannins and hints of sour citrus while tapering off with persistence. If checking in today, make sure to enjoy the 2020 alongside a meal. That said, I expect a year of cellaring should add some softer contours.