Acclaim

“This rosé shows more depth of red-fruit flavor than its barely-pink color would suggest. Its flavors of strawberry and white cherry are vivid and tangy, lifted by scents of hibiscus and infused with brisk salinity that resonates on the finish. This is a serious rosé, meant more for the dinner table than the beach.” – Stephanie Johnson, Wine & Spirits, June 2022

“This winery was founded in 2007 by the Farnese Group in western Sicily, where hot days and cool nights produced this rich nero d’Avola with a texture like smooth dark chocolate. Its plum and blackberry flavors are packed with notes of fennel and licorice, buoyed by energetic acidity that draws out the flavors on a warm and spicy finish.” – Stephanie Johnson, Wine & Spirits, June 2022

“The 2017 Rosso Hiera captivates with a dark mix of crushed blackberries, sage, ashen stone and a hint of salty sea air that I find wildly attractive. It’s silky and soothing to the senses, mixing saline-minerals with zesty acids and ripe black fruits, which creates lovely, balanced expression. This leaves a lingering concentration of currants under an air of lavender and inner violet florals, while finishing with a gentle tannic grip. I love the energy, potency and salty tension here. It’s a blend of 60% Alicante, 30% Nocera and 10% Nero d’Avola.” – Eric Guido, Vinous, June 2022

“The 2021 Bianco Peloro, a blend of 65% Grillo and 35% Carricante, opens slowly in the glass, as dusty dried flowers and hints of crushed rocks give way to citrus-tinged apple and pear. It’s round and soothing soft and feel, with Stony mineral tones and salty flourish that evolve into a sweeter mix of inner florals and orchid fruits. This leaves the palette nicely refreshed with a cooling air of minty herbs. Le Casematte mentee found a lovely balance with their 2021 Peloro.” – Eric Guido, Vinous, June 2022

“The 2020 Rosso Peloro is peppery, fresh and floral, with bright cherry and rose hips giving way to hints of cinnamon. It splashes across the palate, potent yet energetic, with tart red berries and juicy acids that excite the senses. The Peloro Rosso finishes long and lightly structured, communicating a classic feel as sweet inner violet tones slowly fade. This is an impressive blend of 70% Nerello Mascaleseand 30% Nocera.” – Eric Guido, Vinous, June 2022

“It takes a bit of coaxing to bring the 2019 Faro to life; but it’s worth it, as a dusty blend of dried violets and roses gives way to crushed black raspberries and mint leaf with a peppery tinge. It’s seamlessly silky, almost velvety and feel, ushering in an elegant mix of ripe black fruits and nuances of sweet balsamic spice, all perfectly outlined by brilliant acidity. The 2019 reserves its tannic bite for the very end, as glycerol berry concentration slowly recedes and reveals its youthful structure, all under an air of blue-toned inner florals and a bitter tug of dried currant. This is a very serious wine in a very easy-to-like package. The 2020 Faro is a blend of 55% Nerello Mascalese , 25% Nerello Cappuccio, 10% Nocera and 10% Nero d’Avola.” – Eric Guido, Vinous, June 2022

“The 2020 Nocera Nanuci keeps me coming back to the glass to take in its perfumed mix of sweet violets, lavender and wet stone. With swirling, nuances of blackberry, sage and dried orange peels join the fray. It washes across the palate with silky textures, yet it quickly reveals its salty-mineral nature, as brisk acids help to energize the tart wild berries and sour citrus tones within. This leaves a mass of inner florals, blue and purple-toned, along with silty tannins that work to create a wonderful accent, as the 2020 Nanuci finishes lightly structured.” – Eric Guido, Vinous, June 2022

“With a bouquet of black raspberries in an air of cracked slate, flint, ashen stone and smoke, the 2020 Etna Rosso makes itself known. It’s round and silky, with an initial burst of inner sweetness that’s quickly contrasted by tart wild berries and mineral tones that saturate toward the close. The 2020 keeps the energy high, even as it finishes lightly structured, leaving sour citrus and blackberries to linger. I love the vibrancy and vivid fruit here, but do give this some air to blow off a bit its youthful reduction.” – Eric Guido, Vinous, June 2022

“The 2018 Etna Rosso Contrada Rampante is pretty yet understand in the glass, requiring coaxing to reveal the dark wild berries, savory herbs and wet stone that form its bouquet. This is silky and finessed, with citrus-tinged red fruits motivated by brisk acidity. A subtle coating of fine tannins linger, along with a bitter hint of orange rind, as the Rampante finishes with medium length.” – Eric Guido, Vinous, June 2022

“Medicinal cherries, sweet exotic spice, dusty dried flowers and a lifting hint of camphor form a seductive bouquet as the 2017 Etna Rosso Barbagalli blossoms in the glass. This is elegant with its velvety textures and cool-toned black fruits; yet with each passing second, tension builds as bitter citrus and grippy tannins mingle toward the close. The result is a cheek-puckering and structured finale, refreshed by nuances of mint, yet also complicated by balsam herbal tones and a touch of tobacco. The Barbagalli hails from pre-phylloxera bush vines that are between 80-100 years old, growing at 950 meters on the north side of Etna. Today, it’s a bit of a beast, in need of cellaring to soften; however, it has the potential to truly shine with further maturity.” – Eric Guido, Vinous, June 2022