2017 Terre Siciliane Nerello Mascalese Grottafumata Lato Sud

2017 Terre Siciliane Nerello Mascalese Grottafumata Lato SudThe most full bodied of this trio of reds but still in the welterweight category, this is the inaugural vintage for this very serious and to be watched closely azienda on the south side of the Mount Etna volcano in Sicily. Walking their incredible vineyard, a 45 degree slope of pure lava rock with vines clinging to the rubble, inspired my imagination of what this land could produce. Wonderfully, the wine itself did not disappoint afterward, perfectly

The most full-bodied of this trio of reds but still in the welterweight category, this is the inaugural vintage for this very serious and to-be-watched-closely azienda on the -south side- of the Mount Etna volcano in Sicily. Walking their incredible vineyard, a 45-degree slope of pure lava rock with vines clinging to the rubble, inspired my imagination of what this land could produce. Wonderfully, the wine itself did not disappoint afterward, perfectly translating this incredible site overlooking the Mediterranean far below. The tannins are present but particularly silky for Nerello, the stoniness and smokiness are palpable, the aromas sumptuous. Don’t miss their white from the same site, a ravishing, honeyed beauty with an equally strong sense of place. -Dixon Brooke from Kermit Lynch