In the glass
Aroma: dried raisin, coffee, roasted walnut, caramelised orange
Palate: dried fig, espresso, almond, dark caramel
Pellegrino's 10-year Marsala Superiore Riserva is a showcase for the family-owned house's century-long expertise: 10 years of barrel ageing develop extraordinary complexity of dried fruit, coffee and roasted nut character.
What it pairs with
-
Sicilian dessert tray (cannoli, cassata, iris)
The wine's caramel-coffee complexity complements the full range of traditional Sicilian pastries. -
Aged Parmigiano with truffle honey
Oxidative complexity and dried-fruit richness pair with the truffle honey and aged cheese. -
Dark chocolate pralines
Coffee and roasted nut notes create a seamless match with dark chocolate confections.
How to serve Pellegrino Marsala Superiore Riserva 10 Anni
Allow 5 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and pour. Open and pour directly. No decanting required for this style.
- Serve at 12-14°C. Cellar temperature (12-14°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a small fortified-wine glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Sicilian dessert tray (cannoli, cassata, iris), Aged Parmigiano with truffle honey, Dark chocolate pralines. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Founded in 1880, Cantine Pellegrino is now in its sixth generation of family ownership and is one of the last major independent Marsala houses. Their 10-year Superiore Riserva draws on the historic solera-style system in the Marsala cellars, which contain some of the oldest base wines in continuous use in western Sicily.
- 1880 — Cantine Pellegrino founded in Marsala
- 1950 — Pellegrino establishes 10-year ageing programme for the Superiore Riserva
Facts
- Producer
- Cantine Pellegrino
- Grapes
- Grillo (70%), Catarratto (30%)
- Classification
- Marsala Superiore Riserva DOC
- Oak
- Minimum 10 years in large Slavonian oak barrels; solera-style ageing
- ABV
- 18.5%
- Price
- €22-38 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-30+ from vintage
- First vintage
- 1900
Frequently asked about Pellegrino Marsala Superiore Riserva 10 Anni
What does Pellegrino Marsala Superiore Riserva 10 Anni taste like?
On the nose, dried raisin, coffee, roasted walnut, caramelised orange. On the palate, dried fig, espresso, almond, dark caramel. Structurally full-bodied, low tannins, medium acidity with a very long, complex, spiced-oxidative finish. Pellegrino's 10-year Marsala Superiore Riserva is a showcase for the family-owned house's century-long expertise: 10 years of barrel ageing develop extraordinary complexity of dried fruit, coffee and roasted nut character.
When should I drink Pellegrino Marsala Superiore Riserva 10 Anni?
Drink 5-30+ from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Pellegrino Marsala Superiore Riserva 10 Anni?
Sicilian dessert tray (cannoli, cassata, iris) is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Aged Parmigiano with truffle honey and Dark chocolate pralines. The wine's caramel-coffee complexity complements the full range of traditional Sicilian pastries.
What grapes are in Pellegrino Marsala Superiore Riserva 10 Anni?
The blend is Grillo (70%), Catarratto (30%). The wine is classified as Marsala Superiore Riserva DOC.