The Solid and Affordable 2009 Firriato, Chiaramonte

Last week I was sorting through my unpublished tasting notes when I came across the note for this wine.  For me it represents a solid Sicilian Nero d’Avola at a respectable price.  You may drink it now or wait six months to see if it becomes more open.  This wine is currently available at MacArthur Beverages.

2009 Firriato, Nero D’Avola, Chiaramonte, Sicily – $15
Imported by SOILAIR Selection.  This wine is 100% Nero d’Avola which was fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel with a portion aged for six months in barriques.  There was a nose of black cherry and perhaps tar.  In the mouth the flavors were focused with notes of hard stones and dark red fruit with acidity building to a crescendo in the middle.  The flavors turn tart and steely in the finish with some tannins coming out in the aftertaste.  ** Now-2016.

An Affordable Pair from Mt Etna, Sicily

The wines of Mt Etna, Sicily that are available in Washington, DC tend to be rather pricey.  So when I saw these two bottles from Tenuta di Fessina and Azienda Agricola Catania I quickly grabbed them.  While both of these wines are produced from vines located on Mt. Etna only the Catania is considered Etna Rosso DOC.  To meet the Etna Rosso DOC criteria, a red wine must consist of at least 80% Nerello Mascalese and a maximum of 20% Nerello Cappuccio.  Though the Tenuta di Fessina is Sicilia IGT due to its 100% Nerello Cappuccio, you should certainly include it if you want a wine from Mt Etna.

Tenuta di Fessina was purchased in 2007 by Sylvia Maestrelli, her husband Roberto Silva, and Federico Curtaz.  Though a new estate, Sylvia has long experience managing the family winery Villa Petriolo and Federico was the agronomist for Gaja in Piedmont before becoming a wine consultant.  I would recommend you buy the Fessina to drink now while you cellar the Catania.  The Fessina is drinking better right now with the Catania a bit shutdown and in need of age.  I found the Catania a bit hard to read at this point but the minerality from the volcanic soils really shines through and I would be curious to follow its evolution in bottle.  Both of these wines are available at MacArthur Beverages.

2010 Tenuta di Fessina, Nerello Cappuccio, Laeneo, Sicily – $22
Imported by Winebow.  This wine is 100% Nerello Cappuccio sourced from the 2.5 acre Laeneo vineyard located in the Santa Maria di Licodia area at an altitude of 3,000 feet.  The 80-year-old vines are grown on sandy soil containing ash from Mt Etna.  The fruit is fermented in stainless steel, undergoes malolactic fermentation then is aged in stainless steel.  The color is a vibrant, light ruby in the glass.  The cherry nose mixes with controlled grapey aromas.  With air the nose takes on gentle, fruity depth.  In the mouth the bright and tart cherry flavors are focused with black cherry flavors in the middle, hints of citrus like orange juice, with a delicate, pleasing ripe texture from the tannins.  *** Now-2019.

2009 Azienda Agricola Catania, Contino Nero e Nero, Etna Ross DOC, Sicily – $20
Imported by Grappoli Imports.  This wine is a blend of 90% Nerello Mascalese and 10% Nerello Cappuccio.  The fruit is sourced from vines grown on volcanic soils, fermented in stainless steel then aged for eight months in French oak barrels.  The flavors were of tight black fruit and red fruit, a little tart, with some acidity like that of citrus peel.  The texture in the wine mixes well support from calcium-like minerals.  **(*) 2015-2022.

The 2010 Tenuta delle Terre Nere, Etna Rosso

Earlier this week I grabbed a bottle of the 2010 Terre Nerre, Etna Rosso to go with a simple salad.  I tried the wine a few times that evening and was generally unimpressed after having enjoyed the 2009 Etna Rosso last May.  In my limited experience, I have been a fan of the 2009 vintage in Sicily.  In typical fashion I shoved the cork back in, stuck it in my hotel refrigerator and got back to it two days later. It was much better and interesting but still tight.  So if you pick up a bottle then definitely cellar it for a year or two.  If you drink it now double-decant it several hours ahead of time.   This selection is available at Whole Foods in Seattle.

2010 Tenuta delle Terre Nere, Etna Rosso, Sicily – $17
Imported by Marc de Grazia.  The wine is a cranberry garnet color in the glass and a pure cherry-popsicle nose.  In the mouth there was brighter red fruit with a sandy texture, a touch of dark fruit with a hint of perfumed ripeness.  This subtle wine leaves a coating of fine to medium grapey tannins with a good amount of acidity.  The finish is drying with red tart acidity.  This needs some short-term aging to open up.  **(*) 2014-2016. Find it at

Two Affordable Italian Wines

Vineyard at the Regaleali Estate, Image from Tasca d'Almerita

These two wines  are quite good, delivering tasty personality for the money.  The San Polo is drinking very well right now whereas the Tasca d’Almerita should be cellared a few years before drinking.  Jenn even asked if we could make the San Polo one of our house wines.  Recommended by Jenn and myself both of these wines are available at MacArthurs.

2009 Poggio San Polo, Rubio, Rosso di Montalcino- $12
A Leonardo Lacascio Selections imported by Winebow.  This wine is mostly Sangiovese with a few other varietals sourced from soils containing calcium and clay.  It is aged for 12 months in large French oak casks.  The nose contains dark red fruit, notes of coffee, and a hint of vanilla.  There is a good initial mouthfeel as saline flavors of ripe fruit mix with a dark fruity characteristic.  The dark fruit has a strong racy, stone component in the middle before turning tarter in the finish.  The acidity causes the sides of the tongue to salivate as ripe, fine-medium tannins make way to a textured aftertaste of fresh, puckering fruit.  This is a strong value that is drinking well right now but will last for the short-term.

2009 Tasca d’Almerita, Nero d’Avola, Lamuri, Sicily – $16
A Leonardo Lacascio Selections imported by Winebow.  This wine is 100% Nero d’Avola sourced from the Regaleali estate which is located towards the center of Sicily.  The vineyards are 10-15 year old vines, located on hills at 450-750 meters, with sandy soils.  The wine is aged for 12 months in 20% new and 80% 2nd and 3rd use French barriques.  There are black cherry flavors which are a bit tart, a powdery sweetness, and hints of sweet spice.  With air the tart fruit is consistent throughout with the long aftertaste sporting darker red fruit.  The wine leaves impressions of clean and focused fruit.  This is a bit young so I would cellar this for a few years before drinking.

Wines From the Old Region of Sicily and the New Region of Lazio

Both of these Italian wines were recommended to me.  We have enjoyed several Nerello Mascalese wines from Tenuta delle Terre Nerre and Cottanera produced from vines on Mount Etna.  So I was particularly excited to try a bottle produced on the Aeolian island of Salina.  This was our first time drinking a wine made from Petit Manseng so we pulled the cork of the Casale del Giglio without any preformed ideas. We enjoyed both of these wines and I recommend you try both of them.  The Casale del Giglio is drinking well right now but the Cantine Colosi needs a few hours of air or a year in the cellar.  The Azienda Agricla Casale del Giglio is imported by Siema LLC and available for $16.99 at MacArthurs.  The Cantine Colosi is imported by Vias Imports and available for $16.99 at Soul Wine.  I also recommend that you check out both the estate and importer websites.

2010 Azienda Agricola Casale del Giglio, Petit Manseng, Lazio
The Santarelli family have been involved in the wine business for the last century.  After opening a bottling center in 1955 they purchased the Casale del Giglio property in 1968.  The property is located in the Agro Pontino in the Lazio region. Lazio is an administrative region of Italy located in the central-west portion which includes Rome. The Agro Pontino or Pontine Marshes are former marshlands located 30 miles away from Rome.  There were constant attempts to drain and manage the marshlands but it was not until repeated outbreaks of Malaria in Rome that they were mostly drained in the 1930s.  As wine had never been produced here before so the estate begin a series of experiments in 1985.  They studied both Italian and international varietals along with production techniques.  This wine is one result.  Petit Manseng is a Basque varietal typically used in the wines of Juracon of the western French Pyrennes. ** Now-2013.

Azienda, Image from Casale del Giglio

This wine is 100% Petit Manseng that was de-stemmed with fermentation started by indigenous yeasts followed by added yeasts 24 hours later.  It was aged for several months on the lees.  This is a pale straw color.  The nose is a touch floral.    In the mouth there are rich white fruits with a creamy mouthfeel.  The fruit starts off a bit ripe mixed with dusty stone flavors before the wine firms up.  There is a persistent almond-like flavor in the aftertaste which is supported by acidity.

2009 Cantine Colosi, Nerello Mascalese, Sicilia
This estate has been producing wine for three generations.  Today Piero Colosi runs the estate where he produces wine from 10 hectares of vineyards located on the Aeolian island of Salina.  This wine is 100% Nerello Mascalese source from vineyards at 750 feet of elevations on soils of medium texture and clay.  The grapes are fermented and aged in stainless steel.  This wine is a red color with a hint of garnet.  The light to medium strength nose contains muted aromas of red cherry.  In the mouth there are cherry flavors with some dark red fruit that then tilt towards tart red fruit as the acidity comes out.  The wine is spritely on the tongue before it puts on a little weight.  With air there are some notes of black tea and tobacco before the flavors turn gravelly in texture.  I would give this another year of aging so that it will open up. ** 2013-2015.

2010 Arianna Occhipinti, SP68, Sicily IGT

After drinking a bottle of the lovely 2009 Arianna Occhipinti, SP68 I returned to MacArthurs to purchase more.  Unfortunately I was not too surprised to find they were sold out as her Il Frappato had sold out quickly.  Phil quickly fired off a few emails and ordered this current release.  This was ultimately a bit disappointing after the 2009.  It lacked the aromatic intensity and complexity of flavors.  I do think it will get better with some age so if you do buy a bottle cellar it for a year or if you must drink it now, give it 2-3 hours of air before trying.  What I do recommend is searching out the 2009 vintage.  This wine is imported by Louis/Dressner Selections and available at MacArthurs for $23.

2010 Arianna Occhipinti, SP68, Sicily IGT
After an hour a muted nose reminiscent of the 2009 finally developed but took close to three hours to fully open up.  The initial palate follows the nose with tart, cherry flavors, Frappato, and sweet raspberry.  It is not revealing much at this point and I suspect will not reach the level of the previous vintage. ** 2013-2015.

2009 Arianna Occhipinti, SP68, Sicily IGT

When I saw this bottle by Arianna Occhipinti on the shelves at MacArthurs I immediately grabbed it.  I had previously enjoyed her 2008 Il Frappato so I was quite curious to try this blend of Frappato and Nero d’Avola.  In my brief experience with Frappato I have come to enjoy blends because the Frappato lends an aromatic nose and the Nero d’Avola provides good body.  I particularly like her confidence which is exhibited in this picture at Gnarly Vines in Brooklyn.

Arianna Occhipinti, Image by J. Gomez Pallares (flickr)

This wine is imported by Louis/Dressner Selections and available at MacArthurs for $23.  This week I quietly pulled the cork then poured a splash into my glass and Jenn’s.  One quick nose of the glass immediately grabbed our attention and we rapidly took a sip.  Jenn immediately remarked, “This is a good wine.”  She is correct, this is a very good wine at a very good price.  While you drink through the entire bottle you will continuously be delighted by both the nose and the mouth.

2009 Arianna Occhipinti, SP68, Sicily IGT
This wine is a blend of Frappato and Nero d’Avola sourced from vineyards at 280 meters.  The vines are ten years old and harvested during the middle of October.  The wine is aged for six months in stainless steel.  There is a light to medium strength floral scented, Frappato nose of cherries, spices, and orange zest.  In the mouth the stoney red fruits are tart with grapey qualities and an underlying, darker profile of fruit.  The dried herbs mixed with stoney flavors.  This exuberant wine is drinking well. **** Now-2015.

Kobrand’s Tour d’Italia

The Occidental

Thanks to Phil and Gary I was able to attend Kobrand’s Tour d’Italia held in Washington, DC.  This was the sixth of ten stops for the tour and was located in the Occidental Grill & Seafood.  I arrived shortly after the event started and found that a line to check in had already formed!  The event was well-organized with all of the winemakers and Kobrand employees in a cheerful mood.  I worked my way through most of the wines then went back a second time with Tim.  I tasted most of the wines but there were a few I neglected to write any notes for so I have left those out of this post.  For detailed background information please refer to the Kobrand website.

Tenuta Sette Ponti

Giovanna Moretti

I rather enjoyed these wines.  The Crognolo and the Saia offer good value while the Oreno and Maharis ratchet things up in both taste and price.

2009 Tenuta Sette Ponti, Crognolo, Toscana IGT
This showed dark red berries, herbs, and racy flavors in an enjoyable wine.  The flavors turned darker and harder in the finish, though young, it drank well. Not Rated.

2009 Tenuta Sette Ponti, Oreno, Toscana, IGT
This was even more aromatic than the Crognolo with blackberry, racy, ripe fruit, and a dark profile.  Nice. Not Rated.

2009 Tenuta Sette Ponti, Poggio al Lupo, Maremma IGT
This was fruitier with red berries, less structure, and a more forward, early drinking style.  I preferred the Crognolo. Not Rated.

2007 Feudo Maccari, Saia, Nero d’Avola, Sicily
This was the most aromatic thus far with redder fruit, good acidity, and underlying structure.  Young, strong value.  You may find an earlier post about this wine here. Not Rated.

2006 Feudo Maccari, Maharis, Sicily
I rather liked this, with obvious red fruit and a dark berry cork, quite enjoyable.  The addition of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah create a different wine than the Saia.  There is a fair amount of tannin but lively acidity keeps the wine polished.N ot Rated.

Tenute Silvio Nardi

Emelia Nardi

The Rosso di Montalcino was a good start but I kept circling back to the regular Brunello di Montalcino, it is worth seeking out.

2009 Tenute Silvio Nardi, Rosso di Montalcino DOC
This was youthful with cherries, confection, well-integrated acidity, and fine tannins that left a spicy note.  Quite pleasurable. Not Rated.

2006 Tenute Silvio Nardi, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
A strong earthy nose, dark red berries, complex, and structured so cellar for several years of development.  Quite captivating. Not Rated.

2006 Tenute Silvio Nardi, Manachiara, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
This was quite different from the regular Brunello.  A delicate perfumed nose gave way to redder, brighter fruit with fine, powerful tannins.  It was not as complex as the Brunello. Not Rated.

Fernando Pighin & Figli

I never buy Pinot Grigio so it was a pleasure to drink these two completely different styles.
2010 Fernando Pighin & Figlio, Pinot Grigio, Friuli Grave DOC
A light straw color.  A medium aromatic nose of ripe fruit then an about-face as zesty, fresh, floral fruit, and acidity fill the mouth. Not Rated.

2010 Fernando Pighin & Figli, Pinot Grigio, Collio DOC
This was less aromatic with a darker nose.  Full of citrus and pineapple it was riper in the mouth with good texture. Not Rated.

Ambrogio e Giovanni Folonari Tenute

Giovanni Folonari

I tasted all but the two least expensive reds.  This is a strong portfolio all around.  I enjoyed the strong value in the Villa Nozzole and the high quality with the Tenuta La Fuga Brunello di Montalcino and Il Pareto.

2010 Tenuta Campo al Mare, Bolgheri Vermentino DOC
This had a light nose, flavors of crisp citrus, herbs, and good texture.  Quite nice.N ot Rated.

2009 Tenuta del Cabreo, La Pietra Chardonnay, Toscana IGT
This had a dried grass nose.  The green fruit immediately delivered flavors of toast, more austere than the Vermentino but it had a creamy texture and a long aftertaste. Not Rated.

2007 Villa Nozzole, Chianti Classico DOCG
This was a great start to the red with its earthy nose.  Soft red flavors, balanced, easy to drink. Not Rated.

2007 Tenuta di Nozzole, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG
This does not have th earthy characteristic of the Villa Nozzole.  Instead it is driven by red berries and reveals the structure from its upbringing. Not Rated.

2009 Tenuta Campo al Mare, Bolgheri DOC
Assuredly more modern with ripe black fruit, good texture, and approachable. Not Rated.

2007 Tenuta di Nozzole, La Forra, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG
This had flavors of dark red berries, a bit of forest, a powerful wine, definitely structured for age. Not Rated.

2006 Tenuta La Fuga, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
What can I write?  Lovely, complex, red fruit on the nose and in the mouth, tight but well defined components, cellar this for several years before trying again.  You may find my post on the 2004 here. Not Rated.

2008 Tenuta di Nozzole Il Pareto, Toscana IGT
Fairly complex with rose, spices, and herbs in this medium to full-bodied wine.  The mixture of black and blue fruits are still young and though it will develop for several years, it is quite approachable right now. Not Rated.

The Wines of Piero Incisa

Some Wines of Piero Incisa

The Turlo is a good value with quality elevated at Guidalberto and Barrua.  The Guidalberto is a strong alternative to the more expensive Sassicaia.

2009 Tenuta di Salviano, Salviano di Salviano, Umbria IGT
Notes of toast, creamy green fruit with some citrus. Not Rated.

2009 Barda, Pinot Noir, Patagonia, Argentina
A curve ball!  Strawberries, a little spice/texture, forward profile. Not Rated.

2009 Tenuta di Salviano, Turlo’, Lago di Corbara IGT
This has ripe, red, tooty-fruity nature, in a rich but soft wine.  A crowd pleaser. Not Rated.

2008 Tenuta di Salviano, Solideo, Lago di Corbara IGT
This had a more distinct, pure fruit nose with Merlot notes as compared to the Turlo. Not Rated.

2008 (?) Tenuta San Guido, Guidalberto, Toscana IGT
The ripe, red fruit is balanced, youthful, a sweet spice component, and easy to drink.  An excellent alternative to the Sassicaia if you need a more affordable wine. Not Rated.

2008 Tenuta San Guido, Sassicaia DOC
There were dark red fruits and a tad more complexity than the Guidalberto.  Well balanced, remarkably approachable. Not Rated.

2009 Agricola Punica, Montessu, Isola dei Nuraghi
No detailed note, just that I preferred the Barrua. Not Rated.

2007 Agricola Punica, Barrua, Isola dei Nuraghi
Fun stuff, stoney blackberries, lithe, and almost rich but tempered by refined tannins and acidity. Not Rated.

Michele Chiarlo

Alberto Chiarlo and the Author

I enjoyed started with the Barbera d’Asti Le Orme but was really captivated by the La Court.  Of the Barolos I preferred the Cerequio over the Cannubi.  But I am no Barolo expert so I am interested in your opinion.

2007 Michele Chiarlo, Gavi Le Marne DOCG
I found clean flavors of apricot and apple in this crisp wine.  Not my style. Not Rated.

2009 Michele Chiarlo, Barbera d’Asti Le Orme DOCG
This had red berries, good acidity, and some interesting flavors in the finish.  Young but easy to drink.  Good value. Not Rated.

2007 Michele Chiarlo, Barbera d’Asti Superiore Nizza La Court DOCG
This was quite engaging.  The interesting nose of dark berries and blackberries makes way to red fruit in the mouth, the acidity comes out as the enjoyable tannins develop.  There is a long earthy finish, and interesting aftertaste.  Good stuff! Not Rated.

2007 Michele Chiarlo, Reyna Barbaresco DOCG
This was more subtle with a lighter nose that leaned towards dry red fruit and tea notes.  There are very fine, assertive tannins.  A nice wine that I would age because the current profile would complement bottle aged notes. Not Rated.

2007 Michele Chiarlo, Barolo Tortoniano DOCG
Young, brambly fruit! Not Rated.

2007 Michele Chiarlo, Barolo Cerequio DOCG
An adolescent with powerful, young tannins.  I found a bit more spice and texture fruit and ultimately felt there is more complexity here. Not Rated.

2007 Michele Chiarlo, Barolo Cannubi DOCG
These tannins were more intense and drying.  It tilted towards primary fruit and floral notes. Not Rated.

Tim and the Author

Other Greek Coins From Sicily

Ever since my post on the Greek Coins from Naxos, Sicily I have been curious to look at coins minted on Sicily outside of Naxos.  Naxos provided a rich selection of wine related coins but the rest of Sicily proved more elusive.  In this post I have included a selection of coins minted throughout Sicily and not a specific town.  I have a few observations, which may prove incorrect, that I hope to research in the future.

The town of Tauromenion provided the largest source of wine related coins.  In retrospect this is not surprising as Tauromenion was founded by colonists from Naxos.  The large grape clusters bear resemblance to those on coins minted in Naxos 50-75 years prior.  These, however, do not show the delicate veining of the leaves nor the tendrils of the vines.

I also came across numerous portraits of Silenus.  The Naxion coins predominantly displayed the full body of Silenus squatting with a Kantharos.

I found the Tetradrachm from Messana particularly interesting with the beautiful grasshopper on top of a small bunch of grapes.  In my brief searches I was unable to find another coin like this.  While there are other examples of grasshoppers on coins, in at least one example, a Silver Decadrachm from Akragas, the grasshopper probably represents a mint control mark.  In this coin the grasshopper appears as a congruous element of the coin so it may be a symbol of a local, powerful family.  Or perhaps, since it is on top of grapes, it is a symbol of pestilence.

Through The Ancient Coin Search Engine, Wild Winds, and Google I have been able to find the variety of coins and descriptions for this post.   For those interested in further research I recommend the British Museum, Coins and Medals department.  Through Google Books you may read such publications as “Coins of Ancient Sicily”, By Sir George Francis Hill.

 Here are some new terms encountered in this post:

• Biga is a two-horse chariot used for both sport and transportation.
• Bucranium  is the skull of an ox.
• Kentron is a goad used for urging horses and other animals.
• Quadriga  is a four-horse chariot.

Sicily, Aetna, 470-466BC

Obverse, bald, bearded head of Silenus to right with ivy crown.  Reverse AITN, sheaf of wheat.

Sicily, Galaria, Litra, 460BC

Obverse, S-OTE-, Zeus Soter (the Savior) seated on throne left, holding eagle-tipped scepter.  Reverse, CA?-A, Dionysus standing left, holding kantharus and grape cluster.

Sicily, Messana, Tetradrachm, 420-413 BC

Obverse, MESSANA, charioteer driving biga left, holding kentron in right hand, reins in both; two dolphins in exergue. Reverse, MES-S-ANI-ON retrograde, hare springing right; grasshopper on bunch of grapes below.

Sicily, Catana, Hemidrachm, 410 BC

Obverse, facing head of bald Silenius with snub nose, beard, and goat’s ears.  Reverse, KAIANAI-N laureate head of Apollo right, hair rolled.

Sicily, Akragas, Tetradrachm 409-406 BC

Obverse, AKRAGANTI-NON, Nike driving galloping quadriga left, holding kentron in left hand, reins in both; grapevine with grapes above.  Reverse, STRATWN, two eagles standing left clutching at dead hare, the closest eagle with wings closed and head raised, the furthest eagle with spread wings and its head down; head of a young horned river-god above front eagle’s tail.

Sicily, Syracuse, 344-317 BC

Reverse, laureate head of Apollo left; grape bunch behind.  Reverse, Pegasus flying left, HP monogram below.

Sicily, Tauromenion, 339-336 BC

Obverse, laureate head of Apollo left.  Reverse, man-headed bull standing left, grape bunch underneath head.

Sicily, Tauromenion, 336 BC

Obverse, laureate head of Apollo left. Reverse, TAUR - IAN, grape bunch.

Sicily, Tauromenion, 336 BC

Obverse, APXAGETAS, laureate head of Apollo Archegetes left.  Reverse, TAUR-M ENITAN, lyre, grape bunch above.

Sicily, Tauromenion, 325-275 BC

Obverse, laureate head of Apollo Archegetes left.  Reverse, -IAN, grape bunch.

Sicily, Tauromenion, Litra, 275-219 BC

Obverse, head of bull facing.  Reverse, grape bunch.

Sicily, Alaisa, 263 BC

Obverse, head of Apollo left; border of dots.  Reverse, ALAISA ARC, bunch of grapes, bucranium below left.

Sicily, Kalacte, 241-210 BC

Obverse, head of young Dionysos right, wreathed with ivy, thyrsos over shoulder.  Reverse, KALAKTINWN, bunch of grapes.

Sicily, Katane, 212 BC

Obverse, KATANAIWN, wreathed head of Dionysos right.  Reverse, Dionysos, holding grape cluster in right hand and scepter in left, seated left in biga being pulled to the right by two panthers; three monograms around.

Sicily, Entella, 36 BC

Obverse, head of Dionysos right, wearing ivy wreath.  Reverse, ENT-, grape bunch on vine.

Tenuta delle Terre Nere

This estate is the creation of Marc de Grazia.  Marc de Grazia has been exporting Italian wine since 1980.  The estate was established in 2002 with 22 hectares, of which 15 are planted with vines. Almost 5 hectares have been replanted after letting the soil rest. Terre Nere translats to “Black Soils” which aptly describes these volcanic soils.  2004 was the first vintage in which the grapes were vinified in the Terre Nere winery.  The winery has entered an organic conversion phase in 2007 and is certified as fully organic starting with the 2010 vintage.

South-East View of Mt Etna Erupting, 30 October 2002, Earth Observatory, Nasa

While I bought the last bottle of 2006 Guardiola the 2009 Etna Rosso is available for $14.  These are well made and lovely wines from Mt. Etna.   These wines are distributed by Bacchus Importers Ltd. and also available at MacArthur’s.

2009 Tenuta delle Terre Nerre, Etna Rosso, Sicily
This wine is a blend of 98% Nerello Mascalese and 2% Nerello Cappuccio.  The vines were planted in 1927 and 1967.  The vineyards exists on volcanic soil on the northern face of Mt. Etna.  This would lie in the bottom-left area of the Earth Observatory image, perhaps in the shadow of the ash plume.  They lay at 650, 700, and 900 meters in elevation.  This wine is vinified in stainless steel then aged for six months in stainless steel and six months in French oak tonneaux and barriques.  This wine is produced from all Nerello vineyards and fills 75,000 bottles per year.

This wine is a light ruby color and noticeably clearer/lighter than the Guardiola.  There is a light nose of gritty, red berries, and floral notes.  In the mouth there is good red fruit, some ethereal flavors, and tasty herbs. There are fine to medium tannins that coat the mouth.  There is structure to the wine and lively acidity that make you want to chew the wine.  On the second night it is still strong with, perhaps, a bit more kirsch/basalmic notes.  *** Now-2015.

2006 Tenuta delle Terre Nerre, Guardiola, Etna Rosso, Sicily
The Guardiola Cru are the first two vineyards acquired by Terre Nere.  This wine is 100% Nerello Mascalaese from vineyards planted in 1917 and 1947.  450 of these vines were replanted in 2005.  The vineyards exists on soils of volcanic ash mixed with black pumice and solid volcanic rock on the norther face of Mt Etna.  They lay at 800-900 meters in elevation.  The grapes are fermented and aged for 18 months in oak of which 25% is new.  There are 5,000 bottles produced per year.

This is a light to medium ruby/garnet color.  There is a light nose with dark, red berries and sour, red berries.  There is rounder fruit in the mouth, red berries mixed with blue fruits, and minerals.  It has a steely, minerally finish with a good amount of tannins which are finer than the Rosso.  This wine is also structured but there are sweeter tannins.  I really like the dark fruit profile.  It has plenty of life ahead of it but with my limited experience, I cannot project what it will be like with more age.  ***(*)? Now-2017.