Having only tasted the Lamoresca wines a handful of times, the days we spent with Filippo Rizzo at his farm in Sicily a few months ago were a wonderful surprise and one of the highlights of our trip.
It seems London agreed as Filippo’s wines were very well received at the RAW fair in May and we’re happy to say they have just landed on our shores.
Filippo’s vines sit fair and square in the middle of nowhere, on a raised patch of rolling hills in Sicily’s interior, the only reference point is the smouldering peak of Etna peering over the horizon. He has five hectares of vines up to fifty years old planted over a mix of sand and clay at an elevation of 430 metres above sea level.
There are rather dramatic differences in temperatures day and night, a real boon in this typically mediterranean climate. Filippo is wary of dogma or trends and simply seeks to make the best wine that each vintage allows. For him these are wines made from fully ripe grapes that offer complexity, density and balance.
Vineyard work is organic and the approach in the cellar is practical, with the aim being to provide honest expressions of Sicily’s characterful grapes.
We have the following wines available and a couple of magnums too if you’re quick!
Lamoresca – Lamoresca Bianco 2013
Filippo’s bianco comes from a small plot of the obscure Vermentino Corso planted over very firm clay-limestone soils. The wine spends a couple of days on skins and is colourful, saline and taut, lending itself to all manner of foods.
Lamoresca – Nerocapitano 2013
Nerocapitano is what they call Frappato around here. Filippo’s is planted on soft sandy soils lined with masses of nepitella (wild mint), which finds its way into the wine, lending wonderful aromatic lift. A wine of incredible drinkability.
Lamoresca – Mascalisi 2013
Mascalisi is 70% Nerello Mascalese from ancient vines on Mount Etna, with the balance being Frappato from the home vineyard. A wacky experiment inspired by a wine Filippo used to drink in Sicily a few decades ago. Compact and elegant, this will age wonderfully over the coming years.
Lamoresca – Lamoresca Rosso 2013
The Lamoresca rosso is a blend of Frappato, Grenache and Nero d’Avola, three grapes which have been in Sicily for a long, long time. A classic mediterranean red, heady yet supple, speaking of sunshine and herbs.