Calabretta
Sicilia Nerello Mascalese
Etna, Catania, Sicily, Italy
High ABV really doesn’t show. Bright fruit, smashingly drinkable. Nice to see NM with some age!
High ABV really doesn’t show. Bright fruit, smashingly drinkable. Nice to see NM with some age!
Oct 7th, 2021
I wanted this to match a more serious & somber moment, but my last bottle may have been moving out of its grace period: I found the deeper Pinot Noir style volcanic fruit has become more shrill & a one note? perhaps a slightly compromised bottle? Or is it maxed out at 11 years?
I wanted this to match a more serious & somber moment, but my last bottle may have been moving out of its grace period: I found the deeper Pinot Noir style volcanic fruit has become more shrill & a one note? perhaps a slightly compromised bottle? Or is it maxed out at 11 years?
Aug 1st, 2021You have to understand that not many wines ( well, that’s a bit bombastic) give me more pleasure consistently than this, the most recent release-2010! From Calabretta . Kinda like Lopez de Heredia meets Vallana, ie Nebbiolo, though it is Nerollo Macalese. Smoked, tar, roses, fine & integrated tannins on the palate- strong mid palate which in my imagination has gotten stronger with age. Super lithe and really ethereal body- light, light to medium body but gorgeous acid spine, strong presence. Not a light wine. Bought a case or so a while ago-I fear the day I am down to one. Polaner importer.
You have to understand that not many wines ( well, that’s a bit bombastic) give me more pleasure consistently than this, the most recent release-2010! From Calabretta . Kinda like Lopez de Heredia meets Vallana, ie Nebbiolo, though it is Nerollo Macalese. Smoked, tar, roses, fine & integrated tannins on the palate- strong mid palate which in my imagination has gotten stronger with age. Super lithe and really ethereal body- light, light to medium body but gorgeous acid spine, strong presence. Not a light wine. Bought a case or so a while ago-I fear the day I am down to one. Polaner importer.
Jun 5th, 2020Absolutely necessary short decant. Fills out after an hour or so. Otherwise it’s all bunched up. One of my favorite producers. In the spirit of Lopez de Heredia & Rio Alta.
Absolutely necessary short decant. Fills out after an hour or so. Otherwise it’s all bunched up. One of my favorite producers. In the spirit of Lopez de Heredia & Rio Alta.
Sep 10th, 2019Last 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, 2019
Medium ruby; medium intensity aromas of blackberry, black and red plum, tobacco, leather, barnyard; dry, medium acid, medium plus tannins, medium alcohol, medium plus body, medium plus intensity flavors of blackberry, red and black plum, tobacco, wet leaves, barnyard; long finish, very concentrated and complex, outstanding
Medium ruby; medium intensity aromas of blackberry, black and red plum, tobacco, leather, barnyard; dry, medium acid, medium plus tannins, medium alcohol, medium plus body, medium plus intensity flavors of blackberry, red and black plum, tobacco, wet leaves, barnyard; long finish, very concentrated and complex, outstanding
Dec 24th, 2018
Ethereal AF #eetna #calabretta #nerellomascalese
Ethereal AF #eetna #calabretta #nerellomascalese
Sep 11th, 2018Dark fruit, old leaves, and some oak that is well integrated and adds creamy texture. Plus it’s got enough ecidity to be practically gulpable. Such a pleasure to drink. Goes with anything north of shellfish.
Dark fruit, old leaves, and some oak that is well integrated and adds creamy texture. Plus it’s got enough ecidity to be practically gulpable. Such a pleasure to drink. Goes with anything north of shellfish.
Apr 4th, 2018Does 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, 2018