Etna

Ruby garnet colour, fine notes of violets and roses and lots of spices on the nose. Dense and compact with taut tannins and sweet fruit flavours. Given time, this captivating red is at the beginning of a long, promising development. SUPERIORE.DE

"Fine, clear bouquet reminiscent of Burgundy with sweet red berries, grenadine, wild cherry and earthy-floral nuances. Juicy red fruit and sweet spices on the palate, already quite accessible, spanned by a fine, juicy acidity. A finesse-rich final." Weinwisser

"Medium, bright ruby red with garnet reflections. Ripe, delicate redcurrant and pomegranate fruit on the nose, with a hint of rosehip, accompanied by violets and black pepper. Very juicy on the palate with animating freshness, filigree tannins and a lingering, tense final with a mineral aftertaste." Falstaff

"A complex nose of almost vermouth-like aromas, dried cherries, cinnamon, oak bark, rich black cherries and hints of smoke. Firm tannin and acidity with a full body, a tight-knit finish and restrained toastiness in the aftertaste." James Suckling

"The 2022 Etna Rosso Contrada Sciaranuova is youthfully coy, with a dusty blend of dried flowers, earth tones and ash wafting up from the glass. Silky yet lifted and finessed, it sweeps across the palate with medium-weight textures and bright red berry fruits. Its minerality comes through on the finish, enhanced by a bump of brilliant acidity as it tapers off long, staining and with crunchy tannins that resonate on. Utterly classic. While backward today, the Sciaranuova is harmonious and shows incredible potential." Vinous

The grapes for this fine white wine from the north side of Mount Etna come from the 3-hectare Contrada Muganazzi in the municipality of Passopisciaro. The skeleton-rich and pH-neutral soils are rich in iron and nitrogen and offer ideal conditions for fresh, acidic and mineral white wines. The wine is matured in equal parts in wood and stainless steel for 12 months on the fine lees. Muganazzi is neither a lean wine, nor is it too full-bodied. It is somewhere in between, with thick layers of peach, apricot and lots of fresh citrus fruit. The mineral notes such as gravel, flint and volcanic ash are very evident. An elegant, powerful Carricante with great drinking flow that clearly shows the signature of the sensitive Alberto Graci. SUPERIORE.DE

"From the estate's youngest vines, located in contrada Muganazzi in Passopisciaro, this 2022 is zesty and quite savoury, with a woody character to the lemon peel and pineapple fruit, and ending with a very salty finish." Decanter

"The 2022 Etna Bianco Munganazzi opens with a floral fragrance of wild herbs and crushed green apples accompanied by a hint of wet stone. It is soothingly round and supple with crisp fruit and juicy acidity balanced by a core of salty minerals and spice. The finish is crisp and long, with a lemony aftertaste that lingers. The Muganazzi comes from vines planted only ten years ago, but it has a depth and concentration that I find very compelling." Vinous

"Lemongrass, dried chamomile tea leaves and a hint of bitter almond and damp hay. Medium body with spicy and flinty undertones on the palate. Subtly smoky finish at the end. Mineral notes on the finish. Pure Carricante. Better in a year or two, but already attractive now." James Suckling

Giuseppe Russo cultivates part of the 12-hectare San Lorenzo vineyard at an altitude of around 750 metres on the slopes of Mount Etna near Randazzo. The lava flows of recent decades have created a porous soil here, rich in volcanic rock and therefore providing excellent drainage.

Just 2,000 bottles are filled each year. The vines, which are over 80 years old, produce an extremely low yield, making the result all the more complex and multi-layered. Fine salinity, light-coloured stone fruit and a well-measured extract sweetness flow from the glass. A good structure on the palate, the acidity and noticeable minerality support the subtle flavours of white peach and grapefruit. The finish is smoky with a nice salty note. It is at its best at 12° and will be even better in a few years! SUPERIORE.DE

"Dusty white peach and orange peel scents are mirrored in the mouth, with some grapefruit, earth and wood tones. There's good intensity, and some ripe pineapple and floral notes emerge on the mid-palate before a fresh, lip-smacking salty finish. Delicious." Decanter

"An attractive wine with aromas of ripe citrus fruit, white flowers, stones and ash. Medium-bodied, multi-layered and complex, but at the same time lively and fresh. Juicy and exciting with a savoury, slightly phenolic and mineral finish." James Suckling

"The 2022 Etna Bianco San Lorenzo is shy in the glass and slowly awakens with a flavoursome blend of young peaches accompanied by grapefruit, rosemary and wet stone. The wine is very structured, silky and supple, with a depth of green apple and melon that soothes the senses. A saline note emerges on the finish, while the 2022 cleanses beautifully, leaving a mentholated freshness as the mango notes fade. The San Lorenzo is an absolute charmer and aims to please." Vinous

"With only a few vintages under his belt, Giuseppe Russo has created a beautiful top-class white wine from Etna. I tasted this sample about a month after bottling, and at this young stage the bouquet is very centred on citrus and salty minerals. But if you look beyond these two aromatic pillars, the wine reveals subtle layers of green apple, quince, pear and saffron. It shows a shy but compelling complexity." Wine Advocate

Just around 2,000 bottles of this noble Riserva are filled each year. With an abundance of aromas of black berries, balsamic nuances and spices as well as the expansive taste - full and clear - this great wine brings together finesse, elegance and softness in an excellent way. SUPERIORE.DE

"Cottanera's 2015 Etna Rosso Riserva Zottorinoto offers a beautiful level of purity and sharpness, with plenty of the electric energy and tightness you should expect of a great wine from Etna. This vintage offers some extra ripeness with fruity tones that veer toward plum and black cherry. But those fruit tones are reigned back by the defined mineral backbone of the wine that cedes to campfire ash and scorched earth. The 2015 fruit is a bit looser and thicker altogether. This wine should come together beautifully with a few more years of bottle aging. Only 1,900 bottles were made." Wine Advocate

"Fragrant bouquet with yellow fruit, apricot stones and Williams pear. Very finely contoured structure on the palate with silky and juicy flavours and a wonderfully finesse-rich length. A great Etna Bianco that could do with a little more ageing in the bottle!" Weinwisser

"The complex mineral nose shows candied cedar, flint, smoky depth and a slightly toasty character. Super soft on the attack with medium body and good weight, lemon and mirabelle plum flavours meld with crisp, long acidity and a silky finish." James Suckling

"A new white wine from Girolamo Russo, from the Contrada Feudo in Randazzo. It is earthy and floral and has an appealing, spicy aroma of apricot peel, followed by creamy yellow plums, pineapple, lemon peel and blood oranges in the mouth. The finish is mineral, fruity and salty with a long aftertaste." Decanter

Giuseppe Russo cultivates part of the 12-hectare San Lorenzo vineyard at an altitude of around 750 metres on the slopes of Mount Etna near Randazzo. The lava flows of recent decades have created a porous soil here, rich in volcanic rock and therefore providing excellent drainage.

San Lorenzo, named after the Roman deacon and martyr, boasts irresistible aromas of red cherry, marzipan, quinine, blood orange and mineral stones. Excellently nuanced on the palate with polished tannins, remarkable length and great elegance. San Lorenzo from Etna - a commitment and one of many examples of the fact that the red wines from Etna can certainly hold their own with the finely elegant representatives of Nebbiolo. SUPERIORE.DE

"Balsamic red fruits mingle with sweet black berries and black cherries, with some strawberry, cherry and pomegranate on the mid palate. Fine, grainy tannins support the fruit, while some dried fruit and more balsamic take centre stage on the long, fresh finish." Decanter

"Subtle notes of ripe red berries, such as cherries and strawberries, with hints of lilac, red spices and crushed stones. Also some blood orange. Medium-bodied, polished and even on the palate with supple tannins that have a dusty texture. Juicy acidity and a crisp, mineral finish." James Suckling

"The 2021 Etna Rosso San Lorenzo entices with a bouquet of candied black cherry and minty herbs accentuated by sweet smoke and cloves. This displays silky textures and ripe red berry fruits with a crunchy mineral core. A zesty stream of acidity creates abundant energy. Classically dry and structured yet not severe, the 2021 finishes long with a pleasantly bitter note, leaving behind a tart cranberry concentration that puckers the cheeks. What a darling." Vinous

"The Etna Rosso San Lorenzo 2021 is a very exciting wine with lots of energy and vigour. It opens with a lean, concentrated body and a bright ruby red colour. The wine displays a long array of wild fruit and small berry flavours, underpinned by crushed white pepper and crushed stone. San Lorenzo is one of the most impressive interpretations of Etna. I highly recommend tasting and cellaring this wine." Wine Advocate

Bright ruby red colour. Refined raspberry and red cherry on the nose, with notes of quinine and flowers that develop with further aeration. Fresh flavours of red berries and smoked beef, with hints of violets and orange zest. Almost exotic on the palate with plenty of luscious extract sweetness and fine tannins and a fresh, mineral, dry finish. An exceptional red wine with a terrificarc of tension! SUPERIORE.DE

"The scent of black cherries and medicinal herbs introduces an intense and concentrated flavour of sweet black forest fruits, balanced by balsamic freshness and integrated tannins. Vertical, elegant and fresh." Decanter

"The 2021 Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo takes its time in the glass to reveal spicy tones with a dusty resonance of roses, violets, worn leather and sage. This is silky-smooth with a core of tart wild berry fruits to contrast. Salty minerals saturate as a coating of fine tannins forms toward the close. It finishes staining and long while a twang of sour citrus fades. I love the mix of energy and concentration here." Vinous

"I tasted this wine before it was officially released, and while it definitely needs more time in the bottle, I think we're looking at something very special. With high altitude fruit from old, twisted 100 year old vines, this expression is beautifully ethereal and almost weightless in character. The 2021 Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo offers blue flowers, ashy smoke, liquorice and grilled herbs. The tannins are silky and flattering." Wine Advocate

Around 2,000 bottles of this single-vineyard wine are sold each year. Extremely complex bouquet of blackberry, blackcurrant and sour cherry, with perfectly integrated notes of Mediterranean herbs. Broad and elegant on the palate, supported by a delicate acid wire that makes it fresh and lively. A great wine with excellent structure and remarkable persistence and depth of flavour. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2021 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana stuns with a perfumed bouquet that blends lavender and cloves with crushed raspberries and dried roses. It's lifted and finessed, amazingly pure in style, with floral-laced wild berry fruits elevated by zesty acidity. Inner Violet tones resonate throughout as the 2021 finishes with silky tannins, a confectionery licorice tinge and youthful concentration, leaving behind a resonance of liquid stone on the close. While ripe in style, this maintains an abundance of energy and complexity." Vinous

"Ripe and sweet red and black berries are underpinned by chocolaty notes and fine, chalky tannins. Very balsamic, savoury and vertical, it shows an impressive concentration of pure, juicy fruit. Patience will be rewarded." Decanter

"Sweet berry and floral aromas with orange peel and flowers. Very intense and flavourful, yet discreet and concentrated. Medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannins that extend over the entire length of the wine. Powerful and polished. It should only be drunk after 2025, but is already very attractive now." James Suckling

"The Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana 2021 turns out to be one of the best wines produced on Mount Etna in recent years. The bouquet is nuanced and rich with many moving parts ranging from red fruits, cassis, blue flowers and campfire ash. These tones are seamlessly intertwined, yet remain vibrant and bright. On the finish, the wine shows a fine structure and plenty of minerality." Wine Advocate

Feudo - a radiant ruby-garnet colour - displays lively aromas of raspberry, mint, minerals and flowers, which continue on the palate full of energy. This richness, harmony and freshness also accompany the almost endless and highly elegant finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"In the mouth, it shows a good balance between sticky red fruits, acidity, balsamic freshness and grainy tannins. It is intense and concentrated, with a beautiful texture and a fresh finish. Very Burgundian, with juicy, ripe, tangy red fruits." Decanter

"Very open with fresh flowers and cut oranges with undertones of cherry and ash. Medium-bodied with open-grained tannins that spread out in the mouth. Juicy and flavourful. Very smoky on the finish." James Suckling

"The Etna Rosso Feudo 2021 is a little more approachable overall, but I love the way the bouquet and mouthfeel unfold in this vintage. The wine offers precision and clean straightforwardness. The fruit comes from 70 year old vines and the flavours are nuanced and delicate with wild fruits, roses and flint. The finish is very soft and silky with melting tannins." Wine Advocate

"The 2021 Etna Rosso Feudo is dark and brooding in the glass, slowly unfurling with an enticing mix of dried black cherries, incense, clove and crushed ashen stones. This sweeps across the palate with velvety textures, quickly firming up as masses of black raspberry and salty minerals saturate. Edgy tannins linger along with an enlivening bump of vibrant acidity, keeping the mouth watering despite the 2021's youthfully structured state. The balance of power and elegance here is utterly spellbinding." 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

Contrada Rampante with a finely woven bouquet of dark red cherries, flowers, mint and liquorice. Fresh and lively on the palate, with a memorable blend of ethereal sweetness, filigree acidity and interesting salinity. A contemplative drop that requires a certain amount of experience and patience to be fully discovered. Pre-Phylloxera = from rootless vines! SUPERIORE.DE

"Cask sample. Just mid crimson. Perfumed morello cherry and really tightly wound. Slow release of ripe raspberry and cherry fruit with a Nebbiolo-like, long tannic charge on the finish." Jancis Robinson

"Darkly elegant and poised, the 2017 Etna Rosso Contrada Rampante slowly comes to life. Exotic spice scents emerge, mixed with smoky crushed stone, dried roses and black cherries. It's silky-smooth with medium-bodied weight, complemented by bright acidity and a cooling mix of red and blue fruits. Sweet tannins and minerals mingle through the long, mouthwatering finale, leaving a lightly structured feel as inner violet florals slowly fade. This is incredibly pretty and already highly enjoyable, yet has short-term cellaring potential as well. Nicely done!" Vinous

"Attractive ripe berry, plum and spice aromas follow through to a medium to full body, chewy tannins and a powerful finish." James Suckling

"With pre-phylloxera fruit from 90-year-old vines in the village of Castiglione di Sicilia, this asset in the Pietradolce portfolio is a relatively new addition. The 2017 Etna Rosso Contrada Rampante shows some extra concentration and darkness that reflects the vineyard site and the hot growing conditions of the vintage. The wine offers a lot of savory characteristics with leather and crushed stone, but there are some solid tones of blackberry and wild plum at its core." Wine Advocate

Contrada Rampante with a finely woven bouquet of dark red cherries, flowers, mint and liquorice. Fresh and lively on the palate, with a memorable blend of ethereal sweetness, filigree acidity and interesting salinity. A contemplative drop that requires a certain amount of experience and patience to be fully discovered. Pre-Phylloxera = from rootless vines! SUPERIORE.DE

"Fresh and dried cranberries, lemon peel, fresh mushrooms and bark. Smoky. It’s medium-bodied with firm yet fine, silky tannins and intense, juicy flavors. Long finish. Delicious." James Suckling

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

"Fresh, featuring rich hints of fig cake, fragrant smoke and iron that underscore the sun-dried cherry, thyme and rosehip notes. Light- to medium-bodied, with lightly chalky tannins." Wine Spectator

"Mediterranean brush, menthol and ripe dark fruit aromas waft out of the glass. Lithe and linear, the taut palate offers tart cherry, blood orange and licorice alongside fine-grained tannins. It closes on a hint of flint." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2019 Etna Rosso Moganazzi is spicy and intense, blasting up from the glass with crushed ashen stone, red currants, wild strawberries, sage and hints of cedar. It’s rich and pliant upon entry, yet quickly firms up through a mix of mineral-tinged berries, brisk acids and grippy tannins that arrive quite early and hold firm. That said, there is plenty of primary fruit and depth to balance, as it tapers off structured and long, leaving hints of licorice and inner rose to linger. This is only the third vintage of Moganazzi, which comes from steeply terraced 80-year-old vines at 650 meters on the north side of Etna." Vinous

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

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 with great intellect. SUPERIORE.DE

"This charming red is well-balanced and fresh, firmed by fine-grained tannins and displaying a deftly woven range of wild strawberry and black raspberry, Earl Grey tea, rosehip, minerally stone and spice. Chewy finish." Wine Spectator

"The 2019 Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo impresses with a dark and rich bouquet that pulls you close with notes of sugar-dusted plums, cloves, spiced citrus peels and hints of pine. It fleshes out across the palate with a salty mix of red berries and wild herbs, more lifted than anticipated yet potent. Grippy tannins mount toward the close. For all of its underlying power, the 2019 tapers off amazingly fresh, yet also structured, with a mix of inner violet and rose. Feudo di Mezzo combines both vivid fruit and the vertical build for a long and steady maturation." Vinous

"Dark spice, new leather, wild berry and eucalyptus are some of the aromas you'll find on this lovely red. Sleek and sultry, the elegant palate offers Marasca cherry, raspberry, cedar and star anise alongside lithe, fine-grained tannins. Enjoy through 2029." Wine Enthusiast

"A powerful Etna red with plenty of black-cherry and licorice character, plus a robust tannin structure. However, it also has a very exciting, cool and bright side, which comes out ever more clearly at the long, racy finish." James Suckling

After almost twenty years of experience in the vinification of the famous Etna Rosso "Serra della Contessa", the Benanti family decided in 2015 to extend the vinification, ageing and refinement of the wine to 60 months. The result is an exclusive Riserva made from 85% Mascalese and 15% Cappuccio, produced in small quantities from vines over 100 years old (pre-phylloxera) from plot no. 587, which is rightly considered one of the best red wines in the region.

Bright ruby red with light garnet-coloured reflections. Ethereal and intense on the nose, with hints of wild berries, spices, precious wood and traces of white smoke. Full, elegant, harmonious and mineral on the palate, with terrificelegance and length. SUPERIORE.DE

"The nose effortlessly blends savory aromas of soil, clean wood and salt with the semisweet astringency of hibiscus, rose petals and wild strawberries. On the palate, raspberries briefly bolster the strawberry, before a powerful earthiness takes over. Acid brings a glint of spice as it sparks off polished, smooth tannins." Decanter

"Crushed stones, rose petals and dried strawberries form a dusty and dark, seductive bouquet when the 2017 Etna Rosso Riserva Serra della Contessa rises from the glass. It is silky-soft and elegant in style. Polished red fruits and mineral tones provide traction under a hint of violet flowers on the inside. A hint of sour citrus fruit combined with a touch of residual acidity provides balance, even if the grippy tannins persist on the long and structured final. Today, the 2017 is primary, but its potential is very great." Vinous

"What fantastic aromas of dried flowers, cloves, smoke and cherries. The wine is medium-bodied with creamy and round tannins that are polished and beautiful. Intensely flavoured. Drinkable now, but it will age beautifully." James Suckling

After almost thirty years of experience in the vinification of the famous Etna Rosso "Rovittello", the Benanti family decided in 2015 to extend the vinification, ageing and refinement of the wine to 60 months. The result is an exclusive Riserva, produced in small quantities from vines over 100 years old from plot no. 341, which is rightly considered one of the best red wines in the region. The Nerello grapes (85% Mascalese/15% Cappuccio) come from a terraced vineyard (pre-phylloxera) in the Contrada Dafara Galluzzo in the upper area of Rovittello, part of the municipality of Castiglione di Sicilia.

Pale ruby colour with light garnet tones. Fine, ethereal, floral, intense, spicy, delicate bouquet with hints of ripe fruit, young, tanned leather and cedar wood. Firm and powerful on the palate, it only opens up gradually and then gradually reveals its depth and secrets, which are characterised by impressive weightlessness and elegance. An extremely harmonious red with meditation potential - mineral and remarkably persistent! SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2017 Etna Rosso Riserva Rovittello blossoms in the glass with a remarkably pretty mix of roses, lilacs and violets before giving way to dried strawberries and sweet smoke. This wine is surprisingly round and juicy, driven by lively acidity, with crisp red fruits and blueberries spilling over the austere mineral core. Hints of sour citrus combine with lavender and tart blackberries as the 2017 finishes lightly textured and refined. Even though this version of the Rovittello Riserva is slightly younger than previous vintages, it is a truly beautiful wine with the balance for a long and steady evolution." Vinous

"The nose balances tart cherries and cranberries with savory undertones of pencil lead, herbs and medicinal licorice, before the palate leans into sweeter fruit, without losing that medicinal quality. Contoured tannins and lively acid accentuate a latent, earthy smokiness." Wine Enthusiast

"Wonderfully perfumed with fresh flowers such as hibiscus as well as cherry and watermelon character. Also gravel. Medium body, firm and silky tannins with brightness and tension. Some smoke and tar on the finish. Still a little reserved. Drink it after 2025." James Suckling

"It shines with its marvellous aroma of wild strawberries, woody and delicate. In the mouth, it shows its taut, vertical structure and intense, lively and concentrated red fruits, with dusty, woody and balsamic nuances. Despite its obvious power and weight, it is light on its feet and deserves to spend some time in the bottle before opening." Decanter

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. Within the Sciaranuova parcel is a small cru site whose vines were planted in 1961. The bottles, produced in very small quantities, are labelled "Vigna Vecchia". Compared to its "younger brother", this rare wine shows increased complexity, depth and elegance. SUPERIORE.DE

"Just mid ruby. Great concentration of red fruit on the nose. Real depth. Red cherry with dark-earth notes and hints of white pepper. Very pure and focused red-fruit palate but not open by far. Gentle tannic structure framing the fruit. Nervy yet full cherry finish with coating tannins." Jancis Robinson

"A graceful red, with finely meshed flavors of raspberry puree and black cherry gliding across the palate. Delicate accents of ground white pepper, anise, sweet smoke and dried sage add depth, lingering prettily alongside the light, taut tannins on the creamy finish." Wine Spectator

"Made with fruit from old vines, the Tenuta Tascante 2017 Etna Rosso Contrada Sciaranuova V.V. is powerful and delicate at the same time, and it strikes a careful balance between these two opposing forces. This is one of the biggest compliments you can give to a wine from Etna, one of the most dramatic and violent winemaking panoramas on Earth. This lovely Nerello Mascalese shows aromas of cherry and wild rose with toasted nut, scorched earth and lavender essence. The concentration and staying power from those old vines add considerably to the depth, tannic power and complexity of this age-worthy bottle." Wine Advocate

"Bright, radiant ruby red with a gently lightening rim. Great, fragrant nose, of geranium blossoms, rose hips, oranges, some pomegranate, very red-fruity-fresh, with fine spices in the aftertaste. On the palate polished and with clear fruit, spreads gently and steadily growing over the tongue, pithy and clear, in the finish extremely finesse-rich and long." Falstaff

"Intense, ripe and textured, it displays a good concentration of fleshy red fruits with notes of liquorice, balsam, cocoa, leather and soft spices. Broad-shouldered and ageable, it finishes elegantly with a long, mineral tang." Decanter

"Wow. Such a beautiful, old-vine red with strawberry and cherry aromas, as well hints of hazelnuts and roses. It’s full, very creamy and polished. Extremely long and flavorful. Gorgeous wine all around." James Suckling

Every year one of the great single-vineyard wines of the Tenuta, representing in a highly complex way the special terroir of the high altitudes on Etna. Dark red fruits, orange peel and flowers on the nose. Then juicy fruit, wonderful depth and a finely chiselled tannin structure. A subtle spiciness on the finish and always present the outstanding structure, length and elegance! SUPERIORE.DE

"Aromas of wild herb, violet, red berry and a hint of hazelnut come to the forefront. Taut and focused, the ethereally elegant palate offers red cherry, blood orange, star anise and a hint of espresso before a saline close. Fine-grained tannins and bright acidity provide graceful support." Wine Enthusiast

"Dried raspberry and kirsch notes are rich and juicy on the palate of this expressive, medium- to full-bodied red, accented by candied violet and star anise aromatics. It's well-balanced and mouthwatering, with an underpinning of racy minerality driving the chewy finish." Wine Spectator

"The 2018 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana keeps you at the edge of the glass, taking in its earthy yet gorgeous bouquet. Waves of crushed ashen stone, peppery herbs, blackberries and roses lift up effortlessly. This is silky in texture, with an unbelievably pure and vivid display of red fruits laced with salty minerals, as brisk acids create a sweet-and-sour tug of tension toward the close. The cheeks pucker, saturated with youthful tannin, as the 2018 Calderara Sottana clamps down hard, leaving only a hint of licorice and tart red berries in its wake. Close your eyes, and you might think this was a young, top-shelf Serralunga Barolo." Vinous

"So floral and fresh with cherries, watermelon, apples, crushed stone and flowers on the nose. It's medium-to full-bodied with firm tannins and fresh, vivid acidity that takes you down the palate." James Suckling

Every year one of the great single-vineyard wines of the Tenuta, representing in a highly complex way the special terroir of the high altitudes on Etna. Dark red fruits, orange peel and flowers on the nose. Then juicy fruit, wonderful depth and a finely chiselled tannin structure. A subtle spiciness on the finish and always present the outstanding structure, length and elegance! SUPERIORE.DE

"Aromas of French oak, camphor and Mediterranean brush lead the nose. Reflecting the aromas, the linear palate features coconut, vanilla, raw oak and cranberry before a saline finish. Taut, fine-grained tannins provide support." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2019 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana slowly blossoms in the glass, unfurling with a layered and deep display of black cherries, licorice camphor and pine. Further swirling unlocks balsam herbs, plum sauce and dusty rose. It rushes the palate with a wave of silken textures, filling the senses with red currants, blueberry and hints of candied citrus. Fine tannins emerge through the finale, previously masked by ripe inner fruits, making for a lightly structured finish. A salty flourish gives way to hints of graphite and black licorice that linger on and on. While I’m accustomed to Calderara Sottana being one of the more structured and backward wines from the Terre Nere portfolio, the 2019 possesses an early appeal that I find quite attractive. That said, there’s an underlying power here that only cellaring will unlock." Vinous

"If you love big Barolos, then this Etna red is a wine for you! Packed with ripe damson-plum character, this is rich, concentrated and well-structured with concentrated tannins that build on the moderately dry, silky finish." James Suckling

"Sottana lies on an ancient lava flow and hosts centenarian vines. Spice and graphite blends with aromas of violet, berry fruits and Mediterranean scrub. Long and dynamic in the mouth, with a splendid savoury note a flinty, mineral undercurrent and lithe, polished tannins. Captivating complexity." Decanter

Franchetti Rosso is Passopisciaro's flagship wine and a stunningly perfect wine. The grapes come from 1000-metre-high northern Etna vineyard sites, where the soils are ash and pumice. Franchetti is a ripe, exotic wine that envelops the palate with dark fruit. Refined tannins support the fruit, while an intense inner sweetness adds elegance and finesse. A thoroughly outstanding drop. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2019 Franchetti is 97% Petit Verdot with 3% Cesanese d'Affile (an indigenous grape variety that grows mainly in Lazio or central Italy) blended in. I love the elegance, dark concentration and aromatic intensity of this very unusual and bold wine (I mean, who plants Cesanese on Mount Etna?). It's extracted and deep, with black fruits and etched end notes of pencil traces and crushed white pepper." Wine Advocate

"A red with lots of energy and a linear focus with black cherry, mint, white pepper, sandalwood and cedar aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied. Fine and intense tannins. Vivid and fresh. A blend of petit verdot and cesanese. Drink or hold." James Suckling

"Expressive, of cherry syrup, ripe blackberries, graphite, a hint of grape juice, elegant spice in the finish. With great substance and concentration, without being full-bodied, clear and precise fruit, stretches wide, savoury, tightly meshed, long." Falstaff

"The 2019 Franchetti is like a dark stallion, muscular and supple. It opens slowly in the glass, inward yet viral, with dusty dried flowers giving way to nuances of plum, brown spices, cardamom, savoury herbs and a hint of cocoa. The textures are like crushed velvet, prominent, almost heavy, but with a balance of vibrant acidity and tart fruit adding contrast. The 2019 leaves a subtle tinge of harmonious tannins, along with dark inner flowers and hints of blackcurrant that linger incredibly long. The vines for Franchetti were planted in 2000 in the Cru Guardiola." Vinous

Only around 2,000 bottles of this noble Riserva are filled each year. With a rich aroma of black berries, balsamic nuances and spices as well as an expansive flavour - full and clear - this great wine perfectly combines finesse, elegance and softness. SUPERIORE.DE

"In the nose with wild herbal aromas and earthy-mineral notes, undergrowth, walnuts, ash and warm earth. Full-bodied in the mouth with a well-defined body, beautiful substance with savoury nuances, quite long with a salty final." Weinwisser

"This is a wild and earthy red wine with notes of watermelon, walnuts, ash, minerals and earth. It has a medium body and nice substance. Long, savoury and spicy." James Suckling

"The 2019 Etna Rosso Zottorinoto is dark, floral and earthy in the glass, with a mix of grilled herbs, crushed rocks and blackberries making up its bouquet. It shows silky textures and masses of mineral red and black fruits. Hints of cocoa emerge towards the end. It finishes with a layer of fine tannins and a hint of primary concentration, balanced by a touch of residual acidity that maintains a fantastic freshness despite its youthful structure." Vinous

"Slightly creamy and with a silky texture, it combines balsamic herbal touches with red and blue berries, ending on a twist of orange peel. Undergoing extended ageing this Riserva from contrada Zottorinoto in Castiglione di Sicilia is bigger and also has higher perceived acidity compared to Feudo di Mezzo. Sapid, saline and intense, it's a beautifully crafted wine." Decanter