Contrada C 2020
ABOUT THE VINTAGE
Contrada Chiappemacine is a small district, located at 550m a.s.l ., the lowest of the five. This vineyard produces a full and round wine because of the sandstone soil that is found at the limits of the lava flows. The breezes of the day and a few roots that reach up to the limestone give a full, frustrating and with body wine. We have 1,3 Ha of vineyard in this Contrada.
The summer of 2020 was moderate with rains, and generally by the bad weather; at the end of the month July the heat returned, until the rain of 10th of August and finally those of early September.
Later, after the pools of white fermented and all went to the beach with the majestic mountain under the sun, came the rain accompanied by a little hail; A wind from the north blew all night and on the first of October the expected cold fell on the cities and villages.
For nearly a month the sky remained clear and from 14th of October all red grapes began to ripen.
The first to reach the winery was Cesanese d’Affile, more sensitive to the temperatures of mid-October.
It was the 24th of October when, after several tastings in the vineyard, Petit Verdot was also matured, the grapes brought with the aromas of oriental spices and a mixture of crunchy red fruits, with the achievement of maximum balance in the mouth at the dawn of the 26th of October; where we had to call even more harvesters from neighbouring counties to ensure we did not miss the moment.
REVIEWS
Othmar Kiem – Simon Staffler, Falstaff, 93 points
Eric Guido, Vinous, 91+ points: “The 2020 Contrada Chiappemacine (C) is pungently floral, lifting from the glass with a display of sour cherries, dried strawberries and a cedar spice box of flowery perfumes. Its silky textures wash across the palate with ease, ushering in sweet herbal-tinged red fruits, as vibrant acidity maintains a juicy feel. The 2020 finishes structured yet long, leaving hints of licorice and inner violet tones. A year or two of cellaring is recommended, as there is an underlying power here that is not yet fully realized. Drinking Window: 2024 – 2032”
Danielle Callegari, Wine Enthusiast, 94points: Umami aromas are first up on the nose, then soil and pencil shavings and finally crunchy red fruit and spicy heat, evoking cranberry jalapeño jam. The balancing act between sweet and heat continues on the palate, oscillating between cherries and strawberries and red chili flakes. Rich and round but also taut and precise—the fruit is perfectly ripe without tipping even for a second into excessive maturity
Monica Larner, Robertparker.com, 92points: “From the Contrada Chiappemacine at a lower 550 meters in elevation, the 2020 Contrada C opens to an accessible style over a lean-bodied mouthfeel. The wine offers plenty of wild cherry and redcurrant with classic Etna aromas of campfire ash and rusty nail. You also get some bitter rose petal. This vintage concludes with a powerful 15% alcohol content. Exactly 3,996 bottles were released.”Drink Date:2024 – 2033
BLEND
100% Nerello Mascalese
ALTITUDE
1,800 feet (550 meters)
PRODUCTION
4,000 bottles
