Etna, Sicily
Nerello Mascalese with small amounts of Nerello Cappuccio and Alicante
Aromatic and pure with notes of red cherry, wild raspberry and delicate white flowers. The palate is medium bodied, juicy and full flavoured with bright red fruit and spice notes. The tannins are fine with some firmness. The finish is mineral and long - which is very typical of wines from volcanic soils.
Made from organically grown Nerello Mascalese grapes from several 80-90 year old bush vine vineyards located in the stunning contrada of MonteLaguardia. The altitude of the vines is between 800-840 metres, located on the north slope of Etna. The vineyards are mostly Nerello Mascalese with small amounts of Nerello Cappuccio and Alicante (Grenache), as in tradition of the area.
Harvest in 2020 was during second week of October. Healthy grapes were hand picked and bought to the winery in Solicchiata. 70% of the grapes were destemmed by hand into an open 30hl wooden fermenter. The rest of the grapes were added as whole bunches. Fermentation was with wild yeasts and no temperature control. The fermenting juice was plunged down, every second day and pressed after 14 days. The new wine underwent malolactic fermentation and remained on fine lees, in several large, used oak casks before blending and bottling in May 2020.
Food Pairing: game birds, ramen, spaghetti bolognese, tomato based dishes