Nerello

Made from 100 percent Nerello Mascalese, this rosato is pale and delicate in colour. The nose hints at florals and pomegranate fruit, with nuances of orange peel. The palate is taut and fresh with a linear form that draws out the finish. There is density here, but it is worn lightly. 

This single-vineyard wine, from a site just below Graci's cantina, sees Nerello Mascalese blended with a small proportion of the darker, more brooding, Nerello Cappuccio. Structurally, this wine is bolder than their entry-level Rosso or intensely decadent Barbabecchi, but it seduces with ripe, smoky berry fruit and complex finish. Drink now to 2020.

The Barbabecchi vineyard is a two-hectare plot of 100-year-old Nerello Mascalese grown at its limit, at 1,000 metres above sea-level. Elegance and richness are balanced with layers of fruit (kirsch, blood orange and cherry pit) and more savoury notes (smoky minerality and tobacco spice). The tannins are refined and seamlessly bound with the fruit on the mid-palate. Delicious in its youth, this is definitely capable of ageing with grace. Drink now to 2025.

Also from the Arcuria vineyard, at 600-660 metres up the black lava strewn slopes of Monte Etna, comes this suave, effortless and limpid Etna Rosso, whose Nerello Mascalese fruit was harvested late on in the season, so imbuing with wine with (volcanic) minerality. Vinified only in wood, first in upright tini, then in 40hl botte grande, without stalks, there’s a minerally smokiness to the red/back fruit, being also gentle and fluid; indeed there’s a wave of red, peppery fruit, wrapped up in silky tannins. Molten! Drinking 2014 - 2024.
David Berry Green

Alberto’s village blend of 100% Nerello Mascalese, from across his 15 hectares planted in the villages of Randazzo, Solichetta, Passopisciaro and Castiglione, encapsulates the natural balance and harmony that this noble grape is able to achieve here on Etna. Fermented in cement followed by affinamento (elevage) in Stockinger tini, this pale garnet-red wine, of medium-full body, sings of strawberry patch purity, of volcanic minerals, of beguiling soft summer fruit and warm Sicilian breezes.
David Berry Green

Local boy made only one 42hl slavonian barrel (approx 400 cases) of this wine; the small quantity due to his owning only 2ha of 50 yo, naturally low yielding (age and high density alberello trellised) vines, grown at 1000 metres above sea level; itself an inhibitor. 100% Nerello Mascalese and Cappucio, Quota 600 displays a much tighter, more focused and finer nose than the easier drinking younger sibling, along with an extra marcia/gear of lusciousness. Very much on the Barolo strada, the wine is both generous, elegant as well charming with its fragrant Mediterranean orange grove flavours, wrapped up in a warm sun. A must have for any Nebbiolo or Pinot Noir amante/lover. Drinking now till 2015, along with duck or goose. Bravo Alberto!
David Berry Green, Fine Wine Buyer