2025 Damiano Ciolli – Silene – Cesanese di Olevano Romano Superiore – DOC

Silene is the benchmark wine of Damiano Ciolli, a small family estate in Olevano Romano, a medieval hill town about 50 km southeast of Rome. For four generations the Ciolli family has devoted itself to Cesanese, Lazio’s great native red grape, and today Damiano and his wife Letizia farm around 6 hectares on red volcanic soils rich in mineral salts, cooled by breezes from the Tyrrhenian Sea. The wine is named after the silene, a wildflower that grows between their vines – a nod to the balance between the strength of Cesanese and the floral, delicate side the couple look for in their wines.

Made from 100% Cesanese d’Affile from vines averaging around 30 years old, with low yields of just 1.5–2 kg per vine. The grapes are hand-harvested and fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts in concrete vats, each vineyard block vinified separately with around 10 days of maceration. The wine then ages on its fine lees in concrete for at least one year before blending, followed by three months of rest in bottle.

Bright ruby red with a vivid, juicy profile. Aromas of fresh red cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry, with hints of violet, pepper and a gentle earthy, volcanic note. Medium-bodied with crisp freshness, fine tannins and a savoury, mineral finish. A perfect match for Roman classics such as amatriciana, carbonara and saltimbocca alla romana, as well as grilled duck breast or pork ribs.