Etna, Catania
Pietradolce
Contrada Rampante Etna Rosso 2017
Color of magma. Nose baked apple and citrus rind. Notes of river stone, Cherry Coke, oak, stream washed/sun warmed mountain blackberry. Drank at Shaila in Sicily in our last night in the Etna region. — 2 days ago
Benanti
Etna Rosato Nerello Mascalese 2019
No notes, faded from memory. Competent not clearly memorable. — 2 months ago
Palmento Costanzo
Nero di Sei Rosso Etna Red Blend 2018
Another excellent example of this wine. Big producer for Etna; small producer for Italy. — 17 days ago
Donnafugata
Sul Vulcano Etna Rosso Red Blend 2017
Very nice. This is the type of wine you need to drink when the weather gets nicer. — 3 days ago
Tenuta di Fessina
Erse Etna Rosso Moscamento 1911 Nerello Mascalese
Tenuta di Fessina Erse moscamento 1911
From the northeastern slopes of Etna, v. old vines grown on basalt lava & sandy soils.
Very Burgundian nose, airy, spacious with fresh red berries, some undergrowth and tree bark, a flower whiff, some baking spice. After some time this gains warmth and shows a bit more nougat and some ripe cherry. But very light & fine.
On the palate this remains light with a firm yet polished tannin frame and juicy red berry acidity. There’s nice precision here, crunchy pure fruit, a mineral bite in the back, good depth and a hint of saltiness towards the finish. Fine, juicy, elegant.
A really good alternative to Burgundian Pinots, finer and with more precision vs some other Nerellos. Really good value, too. — 9 days ago
Byron C Mayes
Classic volcanic red. Dark garnet. Abundant nose of blackberry tea, brick, and red apple peel. Echoed on the medium palate with juicy medium plus acidity and fine, earthen medium tannins. Palate continues through the dark and lengthy finish. What Etna is all about. Juicy, earthen fruit that's a fine accompaniment to almost any red wine (and some white wine) fare. Great alternative to Pinot Noir or Garnacha. Drink now through 2026. — 11 days ago