Calabretta
Sicilia Nerello Mascalese
Etna, Catania, Sicily, Italy
Last of several bottles, 2005 vintage- still strong but perhaps some wear & tear. Still, an elegant (for Etna) wine, brick red in appearance, strong acidic backbone yet lithe in its medium body. Black fruits, no blueberries here, & the strong tannins are mostly integrated.I can imagine the Pinot comparisons, but feel this kind of Etna is even more unique. Has a slight petrol character, not unpleasant, reminds of a modern Alsatian Pinot noir. Nothing suave here either, but the in house aging & overall old school approach reminds too of old school Rioja like Lopez. Oh, & these sell for under 30$. Crazy.
Last of several bottles, 2005 vintage- still strong but perhaps some wear & tear. Still, an elegant (for Etna) wine, brick red in appearance, strong acidic backbone yet lithe in its medium body. Black fruits, no blueberries here, & the strong tannins are mostly integrated.I can imagine the Pinot comparisons, but feel this kind of Etna is even more unique. Has a slight petrol character, not unpleasant, reminds of a modern Alsatian Pinot noir. Nothing suave here either, but the in house aging & overall old school approach reminds too of old school Rioja like Lopez. Oh, & these sell for under 30$. Crazy.
Jun 30th, 2019Does VERY well a decant, takes the brett( which actually like) out & smoothes the edges a bit. Dark dark black fruits, that volcanic minerality all through. Mild to mod tannins. Can match any food, just about- this time chicken w saffron, apricots; roasted brussel sprouts, & corn pudding w roasted garlic & sage
Does VERY well a decant, takes the brett( which actually like) out & smoothes the edges a bit. Dark dark black fruits, that volcanic minerality all through. Mild to mod tannins. Can match any food, just about- this time chicken w saffron, apricots; roasted brussel sprouts, & corn pudding w roasted garlic & sage
Jan 14th, 2018Tar, bramble, menthol, black cherry, filtered through charcoal. Dark dark brown black belies medium weight. Aromatics gorgeous, that bramble and hummus thing, so evocative. Elegant yet also a raw quality that if we have to call rustic, I will, but only at gunpoint because this is so much more. One of my favorites now; its like the Lopez De Heredia of Etna.
Tar, bramble, menthol, black cherry, filtered through charcoal. Dark dark brown black belies medium weight. Aromatics gorgeous, that bramble and hummus thing, so evocative. Elegant yet also a raw quality that if we have to call rustic, I will, but only at gunpoint because this is so much more. One of my favorites now; its like the Lopez De Heredia of Etna.
Jun 20th, 2017
Meaty leathery forest berry and a little farmyard stretched like taut suede across an earthy mineral underbelly.
Meaty leathery forest berry and a little farmyard stretched like taut suede across an earthy mineral underbelly.
Jan 15th, 2017
Perfumed and persistent, with a subtle rustic complexity. Tannins are a touch scratchy but the wine makes up for it elsewhere. A lackluster We the Pizza showing was saved by this bottle.
Perfumed and persistent, with a subtle rustic complexity. Tannins are a touch scratchy but the wine makes up for it elsewhere. A lackluster We the Pizza showing was saved by this bottle.
Apr 23rd, 2016
More intensity, structure and stamina than the 2004. Dark tarry fruit, searing acidity, and a savory finish.
More intensity, structure and stamina than the 2004. Dark tarry fruit, searing acidity, and a savory finish.
Feb 1st, 2016
This was such a pleasant surprise. I don't think I've ever had this varietal w 10 years on it and was utterly impressed. Strawberry bitter chocolate tar and floral. Sorry to see the bottle go.
This was such a pleasant surprise. I don't think I've ever had this varietal w 10 years on it and was utterly impressed. Strawberry bitter chocolate tar and floral. Sorry to see the bottle go.
Nov 15th, 2015
Really cool wine. Lighter body with a nice plump acidity and earthy tannins that seem to have calmed down a bit. Still a little chewy but pleasant. Dried cherries, a hint of fig, red plums, tar, wet wood, clay, coffee, tobacco. Shows more age in aromatic character but still bright and lively for 10 years if age
Really cool wine. Lighter body with a nice plump acidity and earthy tannins that seem to have calmed down a bit. Still a little chewy but pleasant. Dried cherries, a hint of fig, red plums, tar, wet wood, clay, coffee, tobacco. Shows more age in aromatic character but still bright and lively for 10 years if age
Oct 27th, 2015
This made me very happy
This made me very happy
Oct 21st, 2015