Contrada S. Spirito

Delicate, elegant Nerello Mascalese with fine aromas of red fruits and raspberries, enveloped in a pleasant citrus freshness. As the wine progresses, it develops a smoky note associated with the strong component of lava rock that characterises the volcanic soil of Etna. Lively, harmonious and full of flavour on the palate, it is a resolutely versatile wine that goes perfectly with a wide range of fish dishes, shellfish and white meats. SUPERIORE.DE

"A rich and layered Etna red with sliced dried strawberries, plums, bark, dark mushrooms and some volcanic spice. It’s medium- to full-bodied with round, chewy tannins and a savory finish. From organically grown grapes. Give this three or four years to soften." James Suckling

Animalucente consists mainly of Carricante from 70-100 year old vines, some of which are still ungrafted. Shiny, ethereal and extravagant in the glass, the bright colour is reminiscent of a lava flow in a wild and romantic setting. Extremely flavoursome on the palate, vertical, with a tangy acidity and creaminess that makes you want to drink the next glass. Animalucente is a strong, forward and very authentic Etna wine and the perfect fusion of heaven and earth. SUPERIORE.DE

"It has an invitingly transparent style with plenty of juiciness and core. Slightly green accents resonate, the acidity appears subtly unripe in a well-built structure." Weinwisser

"Bright straw yellow colour. Open-hearted on the nose, of salt lemon, dried herbs, sea salt, then precise, juicy, clean on the palate." Falstaff

"The 2022 Etna Bianco Animalucente Santo Spirito blends savouriness and sweetness with a burst of crushed stone and lemon peel accompanied by a hint of sage. It has a soft texture with juicy acidity and savoury minerals holding the balance as the crunchy fruit trees slowly saturate towards the finish. The 2022 tapers off with a flinty feel and admirable length, leaving a hint of sour citrus for lovely punctuation." Vinous

"Delicately floral and honeyed lemon, herbal and fragrant on the nose. Dense, round and full of flavour - burnt caramel, orange peel and blossom, pear drops and chamomile with plenty of spiced, roasted edges providing the frame and sense of structure. Nice body and fruitiness, round and forward, offering a full palate with nuances of iron, black pepper, cloves, toast and freshly picked apples. A beautiful wine." Decanter

"You can smell the sea here and there are many aromas and flavours of dried lemon, raw ginger and apple. Turmeric. Full-bodied with lots of fruit and yet energetic and concentrated. So complex. Very well made." James Suckling

Animardente is a pure Nerello Mascalese produced from vines planted in bushes at an altitude of 700 metres on partly sandy and ashy, partly gravelly and pebbly soils that are exposed to extreme temperature fluctuations between day and night. The name of the wine is derived from the bowels of the volcano, from its incessant activity, the heat and the colour of the magma. The vines grow in a kind of amphitheatre created by volcanic eruptions, which over the centuries have produced a valuable substrate for viticulture: On dark volcanic soils formed from lava flows, mainly free-living, rootless vines develop here, which are exposed to the most extreme climatic influences. Animardente was born a few years ago in this almost moon-like landscape. A name that tells of the soul of the silent volcano, unexpected and incandescent, breathing life into perpetual motion. An irrepressible and seductive force of nature, the expression of a unique terroir. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2021 Etna Rosso Animardenta Santo Spirito is wickedly fresh, opening with a whiff of savory herbs and crushed rocks that gives way to wild strawberries and rose petals. This possesses a lovely inner sweetness that’s further enhanced by ripe red berries as autumnal spices swirl atop a core of grippy tannin. The 2021 finishes long, gently tannic and beautifully balanced. A note of licorice remains on the close." Vinous

"Cherry red colour with garnet reflections. Medium body with very fine tannins and fresh cherry, dried lemon and stone flavours. Crisp and tasty. A hint of minerals and pumice on the finish." James Suckling

Animanaturale from vines over 60 years old is the lightest and freshest wine from the new Animaetna line of the small garage winery Contrada Santa Spirito, which belongs to Feudo Maccari. Matured almost entirely in amphorae, the Nerello Mascalese grape presents itself here in all its fruitiness and freshness, completely unadulterated and pure. The grapes are foot-pressed, spontaneous fermentation is carried out using the grapes' own yeasts, racking and bottling take place according to the phases of the moon. On the palate, the flavours of red fruits and berries are tangy and vibrant with a precise and very mineral finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"A linear Etna red with minerals, terra cotta, red dust, iron and dried character. Medium-bodied, it has succulent acidity and fine tannins underneath it all. Needs a year or two to soften." James Suckling