Tenuta di Castellaro Ypsilon 2018

Cellar for up to 7 years. No need to decant before serving.

Tenuta di Castellaro was founded in 2013 by entrepreneur Massimo Lentsch who was already making wine in Dubrovnik when he came here on holiday and fell in love with the terroir. Today it's the largest winery on the Aeolian island of Lipari off Sicily’s north coast, with 20 acres planted with indigenous varieties on rich volcanic soils. Tenuta di Castellaro prides itself on having a low environmental impact thanks to their use of gravity instead of pumps in the winery and organic farming in the vineyards.

Ypsilon is an elegant red blend of three local varieties, Nero d’Avola, Corinto and Alicante, which grow at 350 metres above sea level. The grapes are farmed organically and then harvested by hand to maximise quality. Once in the winery fermentation takes place using indigenous yeasts followed by 12 months of ageing in stainless steel tanks to preserve the delicate freshness and varietal character.

Enticing notes of red cherry, redcurrant, and savoury herbs define the nose while on the palate there are elegant tannins, a generous full body, and plenty of juicy red fruit. Well-balanced and bursting with rich flavours, this is a great wine to enjoy alongside classic Italian dishes like lasagna, aubergine parmigiana, pasta served with a rich beef sauce, or a simple platter of charcuterie.