Etna

In the history of Etna, the eruption of 1614 is legendary, as it lasted ten years and is thus to date the longest recorded eruption of the volcano that is still active today. A very impressive and fitting name for Planeta's Etna series of equally impressive wines.

Riesling from Etna? Initially an experiment, admittedly. But it can truly be called successful and great: the latest offspring of Planeta's Etna family with a delicate pale colour with green reflections; on the nose with a great variety of aromas such as white apple, plum, lemon and yellow flowers. Perfectly dry on the palate, with mild acidity, fine minerality and (especially with increasing maturity) pronounced fruitiness and beguiling depth and length. SUPERIORE.DE

"This has plenty of citrus zest, orange blossom, acacia honey and pomelo. Medium-bodied with sharp acidity and a citrusy, floral palate. Dry yet honeyed character. Delicious finish." James Suckling

Fantastic Etna crescendo from vines up to 60 years old from a small single vineyard with wonderfully balanced iodine and citrus flavours. Softly flowing on the palate, profound in flavour, the fine acidity, inner sweetness and delicate woody notes are well integrated into the overall concept designed for a long ageing period. SUPERIORE.DE

"Lots of honeysuckle and cut lemon with some crushed stone. Medium-bodied with a creamy texture and focused phenolics that add nice texture and length. Some flint on the finish." James Suckling

"This cru bottling from vines in Randazzo is youthfully creamy and offers little flavour other than that of the wood in which it has rested, along with stony patches of mango and peach. This Carricante is full, concentrated and highly acidic. It has enough earthy yellow fruit - such as pineapple, nectarine and yellow plum - to underpin its stony and acidic backbone; a vertical yet full style that will gain power and weight with age. Impressive." Decanter

"With a bouquet like chiseling through sheer limestone with all of the smoky and flinty nuances that come with it, the 2022 Etna Bianco Le Vigne Niche Calderara Sottana is impossible to ignore. It’s silky upon entry yet quickly builds with mineral tension. A savory, sweet interplay of citrus and spice offsets ripe nectarines and apricots. The 2022 leaves the palate reeling with youthful tension and watering for more as it finishes with outstanding freshness. This may not be the longest-lived Calderara Sottana Bianco, yet there’s no rush. It’s a total charmer." Vinous

Noblesse is the very first and still extremely rare bottle-fermented sparkling wine made from Carricante, the noble indigenous white grape of the Etna volcano. The grapes come from 20-60 year old vines that are planted both in the traditional bush vine (albarello) and in rows using the Guyot training system. Pale straw yellow in colour with light greenish reflections. Very delicate and persistent perlage, fine foam. Intense on the nose, with a delicate aroma of orange and lemon blossom and ripe apple. Wonderfully fresh and dry on the palate, elegant, with pleasant acidity and a lovely aromatic, delicately yeasty finish. SUPERIORE.DE

For some years now, Matteo Catania has been holding back a few hundred bottles of his wines in the best vintages in order to offer them to his most loyal importers after a few years. From this "private reserve" comes Neromaccarj 2010, which is now - in spring 2023 - offered in small quantities with 9 years of further bottle ageing quasi in Riserva quality.

Dark colour, beautiful bouquet of Mediterranean herbs and balsamic notes, ripe, fruity morello cherry and date fruit, rich in silky tannins, that's how it is, the magnificent and expressive Nero d'Avola single-vineyard wine Neromaccarj. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich ruby with bright violet glints. Multi-layered and inviting nose, smells of dried tomatoes, fresh plums and blackberries, also sandalwood and pepper. Lots of juicy, present fruit on the palate, fresh and crisp, then opens with fine-grained tannin, salty and persistent on the final." Falstaff

"Gulfi's wines are characterized by thick concentration, dark extraction and full throttle aromas. The 2010 Neromàccarj shows all of those qualities in ample doses. You really get a sense of the hot Sicilian summer as you contemplate the bouquet. Sweet cherry and ripe blackberry are the dominant aromas. Dig deeper and subtle tones of grilled herb, licorice and crushed mineral also begin to appear. These aromas build in intensity as the wine takes on more air in the glass. The tannins are soft and the finish is long." Wine Advocate

For some years now, Matteo Catania has been holding back a few hundred bottles of his wines in the best vintages in order to offer them to his most loyal importers after a few years. From this "private reserve" comes Neromaccarj 2011, which is now - in spring 2023 - offered in small quantities with 8 years of further bottle ageing quasi in Riserva quality.

Dark colour, beautiful bouquet of Mediterranean herbs and balsamic notes, ripe, fruity morello cherry and date fruit, rich in silky tannins, that's how it is, the magnificent and expressive Nero d'Avola single-vineyard wine Neromaccarj. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2011 Neromàccarj is the wine that, in my opinion, best encompasses the overall winemaking philosophy at Gulfi. Like the other Nero d'Avola selections presented, this wine boasts a super enriched and concentrated style. On top of black fruit and cherry marmalade, the bouquet offers Teriyaki, barbecue smoke and asphalt-like aromas. Neromàccarj presents a more balanced and complete picture because its large bulk is spread evenly in proportioned elements. In other words, the opulence of the bouquet is perfectly matched to the large footprint left on the finish." Wine Advocate

Guardiola, a cru from Nerello Mascalese, shows the typical elegant flavour of volcanic soils. Fine raspberry fruit, gentle acidity and silky tannins, full and ripe, but never too full-bodied. A modern wine from a traditional vine. SUPERIORE.DE

"Spectacular vineyard with steep terraces. Extraordinarily deep and multi-faceted, highly elegant and full of finesse with finely honed red berry fruit, extraordinarily precise and puristic, a true mountain wine with Burgundian finesse. Bravo Diego!" Weinwisser

"A mineral version that starts with hints of tar, smoke and iron, then segues into flavours of black plum, dried rosemary, resin and sandalwood. It shows fine-grained tannins that firm up the lively finish." Wine Spectator

"A dusty mixture of balsamic herbs, menthol, dark chocolate and dried black cherries characterise the 2019 Etna Rosso Guardiola. It is surprisingly soft and enveloping, but quickly gains tension. Salty minerals and exotic spices complicate the tart red berry fruits. The finish is still a little chewy and tannic, with a residual acidity that balances while a bitter balsamic hint fades. Patience is required." Vinous

"A pretty serious expression from Guardiola, showing a unique peppery flavour with lots of dark minerals, sweet spices and tar. Also savoury berries and dried orange peel. Full-bodied on the palate with flattering, integrated tannins that give it a full, dense body. Long and spicy finish." James Suckling

"The nose starts with sweet, bright aromas of strawberries and raspberries, then turns savoury and wild with notes of tar, earth and herbs. On the palate, a gentle floral note makes the fruit elements sweeter and more delicate, but the earthy tones linger while the acidity pushes against a curtain of refined tannins." Decanter

"It shows fragrant red fruits, black cherry and earth, with some peppery spice. Dense, flavoursome and grippy with fresh acidity, the palate shows some lovely dark fruits and a chewy finish lifted by its inherent freshness." Decanter

"A pure Nerello Mascalese, with notes of undergrowth alternating with a crisp freshness. Blackcurrant on the nose, with a hint of pepper leaf, taut on the palate, spicy, with great length on the palate, with a fruity-official return." Luca Gardini

Marc de Grazia on his anniversary wine: "To honour the collective effort of the entire Tenuta delle Terre Nere team, I thought it appropriate to celebrate the 20th anniversary of our first release with a unique cuvée. This cuvée should represent our appellation and our winery and say something about our beginnings. Therefore, first and foremost, it should be an Etna Rosso, as this is our most important appellation. Secondly, the wine should be made from Calderara Sottana grapes, as our winery and the surrounding vineyards are located in Contrada Calderara Sottana, where we also have our largest expansions. However, it should not be confused with our Calderara Sottana bottling, which is made from the best fruit of exclusively old vines from all our Calderara estates.

I therefore decided to produce a cuvée from a single, particularly gifted vineyard in Calderara, called Bellacolonna. I chose it not only because of its excellent quality, but also because we planted our first vineyards here in 2006 and 2007, after sadly uprooting plots of semi-abandoned and decaying old vines. We made our beautiful cuvée from the fruit of these vines. It has the privilege of coming from an exceptionally good vineyard and at the same time the good fortune of being born in an outstanding vintage.

It has been aged in new oak (which I think is perfectly appropriate for a wine made from young vines) and has been given the same ageing time as our crus. I would say it has real charm; more stylish than our Etna Rosso with a depth and character reminiscent of our Calderara Sottana (apart perhaps from the extra layers that old vines provide). It was born elegant and will become even more subtle with age; it has the weightless composure of youth and the promise of even greater finesse in the future. It is indeed a wine that I am very proud of and that longs to epitomise all that is Tenuta delle Terre Nere."

"Vibrant and intense, a burst of autumnal spice, dusty rose and blood orange gives way to dried strawberries as the 2022 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana Bellacolonna blossoms in the glass. The wine is simply stunning. On the palate, it shows crunchy wild berries and mineral notes carried by a zesty acidity. It leaves a hint of primary concentration and silky tannins that linger into the violet-coloured final, while a hint of candy spice slowly fades. The Bellacolonna comes from a selection of young vines planted in 2006 and 2007 in the Cru Calderara Sottana." Vinous

"This is a special bottling for the 20th anniversary of the estate. It has depth and intensity with a medium to full body, a creamy stone and basalt texture, red fruits and a mushroom and bark undertone. The linear, vivid finish goes on and on. Needs time to open. Be patient." James Suckling

Complex aroma profile of dried apple, pear, camomile, exotic fruits and ash. Full of grace on the palate, dry, fruity and intense, a delicate acidity and fine minerality lend freshness. A very elegant and attractive white wine from Etna with good potential and a never-ending experience factor: every sip opens up new facets of this completely enchanting wine. SUPERIORE.DE

"Lively aromas of nectarines, lemons, white peaches and honeysuckle that follow through to a medium body with delicious fruit and a vivid finish. Shows plenty of energy." James Suckling

The area around the small town of Milo is the only vineyard site on Etna where an Etna Bianco is allowed to be bottled as Superiore - and for good reason: only Carricante may be planted on the steep vineyard, which consists of dozens of small terraces. The vines are trained like a small tree on poles made of chestnut wood. The eastern exposure and the proximity of the sea allow the grapes to ripen late, resulting in very consistent acidity levels and a white wine with an aromatic finesse and freshness that is unrivalled even on Etna.

This historic site, called Milo, with its old vines, is virtually predestined for the Etna Bianco Superiore, which Terre Nere is now bringing to market for the first time as a single-vineyard Bianco "Salice". More floral and citrus-scented on the nose than the normal Carricante, the Superiore also has a little more body, acidity, depth and finesse. The elegant acidity makes it vibrantly fresh and long and ensures an exciting drinking flow and good ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"This super white is really focused, featuring a linear line of salty fruit with apple and lime undertones. Full but tight, it has great length and presence." James Suckling

This Carricante from vines up to 100 years old from a small single vineyard gives no indication of its varietal and terroir origins. Fine fruity aroma, mineral and with a fresh sea breeze. Powerful, well-structured, a fine woody note, balanced and long flavour. SUPERIORE.DE

"This has beautiful freshness and honey character with sliced apples and pears as well as lemons and honey. Medium- to full-bodied, it has depth of fruit, minerals and a long finish with cement undertones." James Suckling

Beautiful red Etna, reminiscent of raspberry tea, lilac, rose petals and cherry blossom. Medium-bodied but deep in flavours, ranging from herbs to orange peel, supported by a firm but velvety and fine-grained structure. Lasting pleasure. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant ruby garnet colour with a sparkling core. A nose of sealing wax with fine earthy notes, ripe cranberries, wet stone, smoky aftertaste. Stony feel on the palate, dark and spicy, restrained fruit, but with a lovely salinity on the medium-long final." Falstaff

"On the nose, there are mainly earthy, spicy aromas of stones and herbs, but also notes of cherry, strawberry and bergamot, which provide balance. The palate is rather fruit-orientated, with a pinch of salt as a nuance, while the acidity hovers over finely balanced tannins." Wine Enthusiast

"This vibrant red has a creamy nappa consistency as flavours of dried raspberries and reduced cherries glide over and coat the palate, ensnared by biting acidity and chalky tannins. There's a tarry undertone and a pretty overtone of dried flowers, red liquorice, saffron and pink peppercorns that linger on the finish." Wine Spectator

"Powerful black cherry, plum and baked red fruit flavours are accompanied by fine, ripe tannins that linger. Dense and quite closed at the moment, it needs time to reveal its full colours." Decanter

"A hint of tequila-like herbal freshness with minerals, dried roses, white pepper, graphite and grapefruit. Taut and juicy on the palate with assertive, dusty tannins. Fine-grained and long." James Suckling

Feudo di Mezzo Il Quadro Delle Rose smells of roses and small red berries. It is a heavy, tannic wine that requires a little patience, but finds its balance with time. A wine of exceptional finesse and great intellect. SUPERIORE.DE

"Complex bouquet with earthy-mineral notes and floral accents, still slightly closed, but already showing good depth. In the mouth it is tightly woven with still quite grippy tannins, already shows good depth, but is still somewhat undeveloped. Patience is needed here, it can still improve." Weinwisser

"The tannins of this lively red wine are snappy and combine with a bright blend of wild cherry, boysenberry, tea rose and star anise, ending in a firm, mineral finish." Wine Spectator

"Offers a wonderfully rich aroma of blackberries, blackcurrants, black cherries and herbs. It is rich and silky, beautifully combining fruitiness with juicy flavour, supported by fine, ripe, grippy tannins, a hint of fresh acidity and some wood and spice notes on the long finish. Marvellous." Decanter

"Pure cherry fruit, reminiscent of kirsch, with orange peel and an ashy, mineral backbone, almost like flint or gunpowder. Similar aromas and flavours both on the nose and on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, very tense and firm with chalky tannins and a lingering sense of crushed granite and rock on the palate. Also mussel shells. Long. Try after 2025." James Suckling

Wonderful single-vineyard Nerello from the north side of Etna at an altitude of 750 metres. Cherry and small wild strawberries on the nose. Very clearly accentuated and fresh flavour, acidity and tannin in perfect harmony and well integrated. Long finish with impressive elegance and freshness. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant ruby red colour. On the nose, hints of mustard seeds, dried rose petals, raspberries, ripe cherries and delicately resinous tones, reminiscent of plaster on the finish. Hearty on the palate with tightly woven tannins, powerful, stony, with a polished red fruit final, currently still somewhat unbalanced." Falstaff

"Herbal and summer meadow scents accompany balsamic red and black cherries, while in the mouth it's earthy and floral, with a juicy sapidity of ripe red fruits, a soft, silky mid-palate and fine, integrated tannins. Vertical and elegant, it finishes with some lavender and milk chocolate on the finish." Decanter

"It has flavours of strawberry, orange peel, raspberry and chocolate orange, with some oyster shells. It is medium-bodied and flavoursome with firm, fine-grained tannins. Subliminal mineral restraint. It is just opening up." James Suckling

"The 2019 Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo is dense and concentrated with volcanic tones of scorched earth and dark fruit. The wine has a bright primary side of crushed cherries and blueberries, and it fills out nicely across the palate thanks to the mid-weight texture of this supple fruit. Floral notes of rose and iris are also evident. This vintage has something to offer now, and it will offer even more for those who choose to wait." Wine Advocate

Here is a fairly new single-vineyard wine, similar in style to Santo Spirito, but with an "autumnal" component. Light ruby red in colour, with a nose of gravel, vanilla and a subtle hint of mint, plus some cranberry, cherry, nutmeg and mocha. Fresh and exciting on the palate with a sweet and sour component and a delicately bitter vein. Compact tannin that certainly deserves a few more years in the bottle. The final is herbaceous, spicy and long. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2021 Etna Rosso Moganazzi is very delicate and restrained. It unfolds slowly with a nuanced blend of incense, dried roses and exotic citrus fruits. It is supple, round and medium-bodied, with a zesty acidity and a crystalline core of minerals that slowly support the tart wild berry fruit. The finish is a little short but effective, leaving a bitter raspberry note and grippy tannins that tug at the cheeks." Vinous

"Sparkling, brightening ruby red colour. Fragrant, playful nose, lots of raspberries and blackberries, followed by violets and a hint of lemongrass. Extremely juicy and fruity on the palate, ripe, fine-grained tannins, lively acidity, spicy, mouth-watering final." Falstaff

"A spicy skein of graphite, ground white pepper and clove winds through flavors of ripe black cherry and black raspberry fruit in this red, with accents of sassafras, red licorice and tar. A crisp frame of well-integrated tannins and bright acidity carries the expressive profile through the lasting finish." Wine Spectator

"Fleshy red and black cherry aromas with some cocoa and balsam make for an enticing wine. In the mouth it's rich and intense, with good acidity injecting freshness into the black cherry, blackberry, violet and cocoa palate. The tannins are fine and grippy, clearly evident on the cheeks, supporting the concentrated, precise core. Full and delicious." Decanter

"It has a fresh and fragrant nose with beautiful cherries and raspberries as well as rose petals, liquorice and crushed stones. On the palate, it is firm and straightforward, with a medium body and lively acidity. It's hard to draw a line between the tannins and the earthy, mineral aspect, as both create a chalky mouthfeel and lead to a long, textured finish. I like the finesse of this wine, although it is still quite dense and firm." James Suckling

Tasca was involved in Etna at an early stage and the latest result of this many years of experience are four new single vineyard wines from the Tascante winery: Contrada Rampante, Pianodario, Sciaranuova and Sciaranuova Vigna Vecchia (V.V.). The wines are filigree and profound, and despite their strength, acidity and tight tannin very elegant, rich in finesse and light-footed on the palate. Each of the four plots brings a slightly different style and personality to the wine due to the altitude, soil and morphology of the historical lava flows. A high annual rainfall secures all water reserves for the soil, and the temperature fluctuations between day and night support the variety of aromas of the grapes and ultimately the ripening potential.

The Pianodario plot is situated at an average altitude of 775 metres above sea level between the hamlet of Montelaguardia and Randazzo. It covers an area of about 8 hectares of vineyards. The soils are of volcanic origin and up to 40,000 years old. SUPERIORE.DE

"One of three new single-vineyard wines introduced by Tasca's Tascante, the 2016 Etna Rosso Contrada Pianodario comes from the western-most parcel located between Montelaguardia and Randazzo. These are relatively new vines, planted in 2010, in soils representing various lava flows, the oldest in 1646 and the newest in 1981. This is a bright and accessible wine with pretty tones of wild berry and dried pomegranate followed by candied orange and pressed violets. It will no doubt be exciting to follow this wine as those vines get, proverbially speaking, older and wiser. Some 5,000 bottles were made." Wine Advocate

Tasca got involved in Etna early on and the latest result of these years of experience are four new single vineyard wines from the Tascante estate: Contrada Rampante, Pianodario, Sciaranuova and Sciaranuova Vigna Vecchia (V.V.). The wines are delicate and profound, and despite their power, acidity and taut tannin, very elegant, finesse-rich and light-footed on the palate. Each of the four plots brings a slightly different style and personality to the wine - due to the altitude, soil composition and morphology of the historic lava flows. A high annual rainfall ensures that the soil has all the water it needs, and the temperature fluctuations between day and night support the aromatic diversity of the grapes and ultimately the ripening potential.

The Sciaranuova parcel is situated at an average altitude of 730 metres above sea level between the villages of Montelaguardia and Passopisciaro. It covers an area of about 4.9 hectares of vineyards. The soils are of volcanic origin and up to 40,000 years old. SUPERIORE.DE

"Just mid ruby and the most youthful looking of the four single-contrade wines of this vintage. Quite deep red-fruit nose with hints of bacon and a note of oak. This is the one that is the most obviously oaked. Wonderful succulent fruit with a bit of oak that supports rather than distracts. Serious grainy tannins and a little demanding and still a little rough, but extremely fine-perfumed fruit finish." Jancis Robinson

"Good full red. Deep musky, ripe red cherry and strawberry aromas are characterized by a mineral undertone. Then also mineral on entry, but turns just slightly tough in the middle and on the long back end that features similar flavors to the aromas. There's good sweetness here, and the stony nuances add further lightness of being to what is essentially a medium-bodied, easygoing red wine." Vinous

"Lovely nose of wild berry, autumn leaves and tar noted aroma. Crunchy red berry texture, grippy with soft woody notes." Decanter

"The 2016 Etna Rosso Contrada Sciaranuova is made with fruit from vines planted in 2008 at 730 meters above sea level. This is a classic expression from Etna with an even dose of wild berry, rose, mineral and spice. This wine shows an attractive level of balance and harmony, and I am especially attracted to those distinctive volcanic or mineral tones that frame this delicate, almost fragile wine. This Etna Rosso is mostly aged in large Slavonian oak casks, but a small part goes into 300-liter tonneaux. This adds a bit more volume and girth to the finish. Production is 5,000 bottles." Wine Advocate

Santo Spirito is a wonderfully complex wine that always remains in balance. It combines firmness, strength, structure and density with the flavours of dark cherries, pomegranate, blood oranges and spicy herbal notes and concludes with a furiously long final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Light, bright ruby red colour. The nose has sweet, fresh and lively notes of fresh cherries, plums and wild strawberries, raspberries and redcurrants, followed by a hint of sweet spices and powder. The sip is dry, fresh and mineral. It leaves a clear and pleasant salty note on the palate." Falstaff

"Sweet autumnal spice, cedar shavings, cherry sauce and mint nuances make the 2020 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito impossible to ignore. This is a showboat, silky and refined, with pure red berry fruits and saline mineral tones that add a lovely traction toward the close. Zesty acidity provides a nice inner freshness as the 2020 tapers off spicy and extends with a tinge of fine tannins that promise many years of positive development." Vinous

"On the nose, it smells of rosehips, redcurrants, pomegranates, violets, lemon peel, cloves and cinnamon sticks. Seductive, spicy character. Almost peppery, with a medium body and firm, grainy tannins. Lots of tension." James Suckling

"Of the wines in this important portfolio from Etna, this is often the softest and most sensual. The Tenuta delle Terre Nere 2020 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito delivers a very fine and nuanced fruit profile with hints of wild berries and roses. The mouthfeel is lean and delicate, and the tannins are supple." Wine Advocate

Fantastic Etna crescendo from vines up to 60 years old from a small single vineyard with wonderfully balanced iodine and citrus flavours. Softly flowing on the palate, profound in flavour, the fine acidity, inner sweetness and delicate woody notes are well integrated into the overall concept designed for a long maturation period. SUPERIORE.DE

"The phenolic tension and focus spreads on and on across the integrated palate. Medium- to full-bodied, this is flavorful with sliced apples and light pie-crust. Great finish." James Suckling