In western Sicily, Marco de Bartoli has long worked at the intersection of tradition and precision, treating native grapes not as raw material but as cultural expression. The “Integer” range sits slightly apart from the estate’s more classical bottlings, offering a textural, more savoury interpretation of Sicily’s core varieties. Grillo Superiore in this form is built on a simple idea: same fruit, different philosophy. Fermentation and élevage take place in old oak rather than stainless steel, with extended lees contact and no filtration. The result is less about primary fruit and more about shape, texture and depth. The 2022 shows Grillo in a broader, more tactile register. Citrus oil, ripe lemon and yellow pear form the base, but quickly give way to more layered notes of chamomile, toasted almond, dried herbs and a faint saline edge. There’s a gentle oxidative hint from the élevage that adds complexity rather than weight. On the palate it is fuller and more enveloping than the estate’s classic Grillo. The oak is integrated rather than dominant, adding a soft grain to the texture while the acidity keeps everything lifted. It moves slowly, unfolding rather than snapping into focus, with a long, savoury finish marked by citrus peel and nutty persistence. A more contemplative expression of Grillo, showing what happens when the grape is given time, oxygen and texture rather than just freshness.
