Old Samperi Forty-Year Dessert Wine

Old Samperi Quarantennale, a dry liqueur wine of great personality

Old Samperi Quarantennale by Marco de Bartoli is a dry liqueur wine made from 100% Grillo, an authentic expression of western Sicily and a winemaking tradition deeply tied to the Marsala territory. It is a very old meditation wine, built on a perpetual method that recalls the Solera and provides complexity, continuity, and depth. The long maturation, with an average aging of about 40 years, makes this label a highly appealing choice for those seeking a rare, identity-driven wine capable of narrating time with balance and finesse.

Territory and wine style

The wine originates in western Sicily, in the Samperi district of Marsala, on medium-textured calcareous-sandy soils. This context contributes to giving tension and character to the wine, along with the choice of historic vineyards over 40 years old. The Old Samperi Quarantennale personally and rigorously interprets the soul of the territory, through traditional vinification and aging in oak and chestnut barrels according to the perpetuum system. The result is a deep, elegant style that is consistent with the great tradition of Sicilian liqueur wines.

Tasting notes

Visually, it presents itself amber and luminous. The olfactory profile is intense and penetrating, with notes of walnut husk, chestnut honey, vanilla, carob, and spices. On the palate, the Old Samperi Quarantennale is very fused and harmonious, with the alcohol perfectly integrated and never aggressive. The structure is significant but balanced, supported by a freshness that lightens its richness and a long, enveloping persistence. It is a dry, complex, and meditative wine, capable of offering articulated sensations that evolve continuously in the glass.

Recommended pairings

The Old Samperi Quarantennale shines with aged cheeses, braised meats, and dishes with intense flavors. It can also effectively accompany bottarga, oysters, and baked turbot, thanks to its sapidity and aromatic depth. It is also interesting as an aperitif, especially paired with small tasty bites, or served at the end of a meal not just as a simple meditation wine, but as the protagonist of a special gastronomic moment.

Serving temperature

The ideal temperature for Old Samperi Quarantennale is between 14 and 16 °C. It can be served slightly cooler if offered as an aperitif, or at room temperature if paired with structured dishes. A brief oxygenation can be helpful to enhance the aromatic expression, especially in the case of a bottle that has been aged for a long time.

Why buy it

Choosing Old Samperi Quarantennale means bringing into the cellar a rare, territorial dry liqueur wine of great depth. It is a bottle designed for those seeking authenticity, craftsmanship, and a deep reading of Grillo in a Marsala key. The signature of Marco de Bartoli, combined with the long maturation and limited production, makes it an ideal choice for connoisseurs, collectors, and enthusiasts of great Italian wines to enjoy slowly.