In the glass
Aroma: dried apricot, caramelised orange, walnut, light rancio
Palate: fig, coffee, hazelnut, bitter orange peel
De Bartoli's 10-year Marsala Superiore Riserva is produced with minimal fortification compared to standard Marsala, preserving more natural character from the Grillo grape: the result is lighter in oxidative weight than the Vergine range but more genuinely grape-expressive than industrial Marsala.
What it pairs with
-
Ricotta con miele di zagara (ricotta with orange blossom honey)
The wine's dried-citrus and caramel notes pair beautifully with the Sicilian ricotta and honey classic. -
Pistachio semifreddo
Hazelnut and dried-fruit notes complement the pistachio's grassy-sweet character. -
Vitello al marsala
De Bartoli Marsala in both the dish and the glass uses the same artisan style for the cooking and the pairing.
How to serve Marco De Bartoli 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. Ricotta con miele di zagara (ricotta with orange blossom honey), Pistachio semifreddo, Vitello al marsala. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Marco De Bartoli's DOC Marsala was produced alongside the non-DOC Vecchio Samperi to demonstrate that authentic, minimally fortified Marsala could compete with oxidative wines of global stature. The 10-year Superiore Riserva is the most accessible DOC wine from the estate and has helped rehabilitate Marsala's reputation for quality.
- 1985 — First De Bartoli Marsala Superiore Riserva vintage
Facts
- Producer
- Marco De Bartoli
- Grapes
- Grillo
- Classification
- Marsala Superiore Riserva DOC
- Oak
- Minimum 10 years in small-medium old Slavonian oak barrels at Samperi
- ABV
- 18.0%
- Price
- €35-60 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-25+ from vintage
- First vintage
- 1985
Frequently asked about Marco De Bartoli Marsala Superiore Riserva 10 Anni
What does Marco De Bartoli Marsala Superiore Riserva 10 Anni taste like?
On the nose, dried apricot, caramelised orange, walnut, light rancio. On the palate, fig, coffee, hazelnut, bitter orange peel. Structurally full-bodied, low tannins, medium acidity with a long, complex, dried-fruit-spice finish. De Bartoli's 10-year Marsala Superiore Riserva is produced with minimal fortification compared to standard Marsala, preserving more natural character from the Grillo grape: the result is lighter in oxidative weight than the Vergine range but more genuinely grape-expressive than industrial Marsala.
When should I drink Marco De Bartoli Marsala Superiore Riserva 10 Anni?
Drink 5-25+ from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Marco De Bartoli Marsala Superiore Riserva 10 Anni?
Ricotta con miele di zagara (ricotta with orange blossom honey) is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Pistachio semifreddo and Vitello al marsala. The wine's dried-citrus and caramel notes pair beautifully with the Sicilian ricotta and honey classic.
What grapes are in Marco De Bartoli Marsala Superiore Riserva 10 Anni?
The blend is Grillo. The wine is classified as Marsala Superiore Riserva DOC.