If you’re looking to try something new, distinctive, and delicious, the 2018 Terre Nere Etna Rosso is for you. 100% Nerello Mascalese from hillside vineyards on Mount Etna, the wine is both powerful and elegant.
All the sommeliers and cork dorks are enamored with the wines from Sicily’s Mount Etna. And there’s good reason for that! With the elegant and sensual personality of a Red Burgundy crossed with the power and complex aromatics of a Barolo, the Terre Nere Etna Rosso has a lot to like.
2018 Terre Nere Etna Rosso
“Sensual, seductive, and ethereal, this is going to rock worlds and spin heads.” – 93 points – Josh Spurling
To place your order, stop by the store or click here to order in our online store.
Founded by importer extraordinaire Marc de Grazia, Tenuta delle Terre Nere helped establish the wines of Mount Etna as some of Italy’s fines and most distinctive. Early on, de Grazia saw the potential of these high elevation, volcanic terroirs and he also saw the potential of the noble Nerello Mascalese grape. So he invested, purchasing 20 hectares of vineyards in 2002. Today, Terre Nere is recognized as one of the most respected producers in the zone. And for good reason!
Part of what makes these wines so distinctive is the endless soil variation created by 500,000 years of volcanic eruptions. To say Terre Nere’s soils are rocky is an understatement. And it’s these rocky, well-drained soils along with the dramatic temperature variations between day and night that give these wines their fine and elegant textures and flavors. Put simply, this drinks like a cool climate wine — think Burgundy or Barolo. But it hails from a region known for big, lush, boozy, pleasure bomb wines…..I like those too, but this one really does it for me.
Production is simple, classic, and Burgundian in style: the grapes are grown organically. And vinification follows the same lead: maceration-fermentation lasts 10-15 days, followed by malolactic fermentation and aging in oak and bottling around 18 months later. The resulting wine is a thing of beauty. Soaring aromas of crushed raspberry, ripe cherry, dried marjoram, violet, smoky mineral, and cinnamon lead into a medium-bodied, silky palate. There’s certainly some tannin here, but it’s fine and well-rounded. Drink it now with roast chicken or duck or earthy, mushroom heavy dishes or cellar for 5-6 years.
Barolo and Red Burgundy flavors and style for less than $30? Yep, we got that! But we’ve only got 5 cases to “deal” on as production levels are always lower on “mountain wines.” Try something new — try Terre Nere Etna Rosso.
To place your order, stop by the store or click here to order in our online store.
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville