Contrada R 2011
Mount Etna had two lighter years, ‘09 and ’10 that produced some fine and elegant wines, able to represent the gentle sophistication that grapes growing on the north side of the mountain can transmit to wine.
Instead, 2011 is what one calls a great vintage. Late rains and long season made it possible for growers to pick grapes that were able to convey extraordinary richness to the wines in every Contrada of the mountain. This is not, however, the overwhelming kind of vintage where massiveness chokes out some of the finer features of its wines.
There is in this vintage a measured and hard structure that contains and will elevate the growing richness of 2011. We picked in this Contrada on November 5th.
Vineyard age: 100 years
Vineyard area: 1.4 hectares
Vineyard density: 8,000 vines per Ha
Vineyard altitude: 1,000 m/3,300 ft a.s.l.
Yield per hectare: 15 Hl/Ha
Fertilization: None
Spraying: Clay, propolis, sulphur, copper, grapefruit seed extract
Vinification: Alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel vats for 15 days
Aging: Malolactic fermentation followed by 18 months aging in large, neutral oak barrels
Bottling: April 2013
Production: 2,900 bottles
REVIEWS
“The wine itself is absolutely beautiful, with gorgeous aromas of wild strawberries, sweet cherries along with licorice, pretty floral and a lovely fresh mineral character. On the palate it is clean and pure with an incredible silky texture that will instantly win you over. This firms up a bit on the finish as it lingers on with delicious juicy sweet fruits. The Rampante is already showing fantastic, but I expect to develop even further with some bottle age. Amazing wine. (Best 2014-2026)”
– Joe D’Angelo, International Wine Report, 93 points
“Light ruby in color, this wine smells of exotic citrus peel and forest berries as well as pulverized rock. In the mouth gorgeously citrus brightness of blood orange and redcurrant is amazingly bright thanks to fantastic acidity. The fruit tastes as if it is beamed through a crystalline lattice to the palate. Fairly grippy but supple tannins coat the mouth as the blood orange and mixed citrus lingers for minutes in the mouth. Comes from a vineyard at 1000 meters up the mountain and is 100% Nerello Mascalese aged for 18 months in large old oak casks. 14.5% alcohol. Score: around 9.5.”
– Alder Yarrow, Vinography
100% Nerello Mascalese
