Acclaim

“The 2017 Etna Bianco Archineri shows a mild and subtle bouquet with distant tones of crushed mineral followed by dried citrus, white apricot and dried sage. That subtle personality grows with time, and the wine needs a little extra time to open. It goes from citrus and grapefruit to crushed stone, yellow rose and honeysuckle. The finish is lean but zesty and crisp. Old vines are used to make this wine, some as old as 130 years old. Only 3,000 bottles were produced.” -Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, Dec. 31, 2018

“The 2016 Etna Rosso Archineri is made with fruit from pre-phylloxera vines aged up to 90 years old. This is a finessed and nuanced expression from a vintage that threw a few curve balls to vintners on Etna where the climate and temperatures can change at the drop of a dime. The finish is shorter compared to vintages of the recent past, but this mid-weight red is very articulate in terms of its aromatic offerings. It shows small-berry aromas with lilac, spice and wild blueberry. Some 7,000 bottles were made.” -Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, Dec. 31, 2018

“Subtle but alluring aromas of wild berry, fragrant blue flower and menthol come together on this. It’s elegant and structured, evoking succulent Marasca cherry, orange zest, star anise and a flinty mineral note alongside polished tannins.” -Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast, Dec. 31, 2018

“The 2016 Etna Rosso Contrada Rampante shows girth and power to the mid-palate. This is a dense and fleshed-out red wine from Etna made with fruit from 90-year-old vines. However, like other expressions from this vintage, I found there to be a lot of immediate intensity up front, with less persistence and fiber in the long run. This seems to be a shared characteristic of 2016. Some 5,000 bottles were made.” -Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, Dec. 31, 2018

“The 2016 Etna Rosso Contrada Santo Spirito shows some of the difficulty of the vintage with a mild and slightly subdued approach. This wine might flesh out with more time in the bottle, but I’m afraid that the inner fiber of the vintage is just weaker overall. This is a great choice for near or medium-term drinking. The wine is loaded with forest berry, tar, smoke and licorice. Some 5,000 bottles were released.” -Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, Dec. 31, 2018

EDITORS’ CHOICE “Smooth and seductive, this offers aromas of wild berry, blue flower, dark spice, crushed rock and a whiff of Mediterranean brush. The polished, savory palate doles out juicy Morello cherry, strawberry, star anise and wild herb. Lithe tannins provide seamless support while bright acidity lends balance. Drink 2021–2028.” -Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast, Dec. 31, 2018

“Here’s a new wine from Pietradolce that seeks to expand the parameters and potential of age-worthy white wine made on Etna. Most of the whites from the volcano are executed in a purely reductive style with a snappy, steely approach. The 2015 Sant’Andrea (made with pre-phylloxera Carricante vines that are up to 130 years old) offers a soft and oxidized approach instead. This full-bodied wine opens to a saturated, off-gold color. The bouquet is piled high with apricot, dried pineapple, honey and toasted almond. Fruit was selected, cluster by cluster from each vine, and fermented on the skins in a single oak cask. The wine was left to settle naturally and saw 18 months of bottle aging. There is a point of tannic astringency as a result, and you can taste that flavor intensity that comes from extended skin maceration. The finish is structured, dry and almost salty in favor. This wine should continue to evolve and flesh out over the next ten years. Only 1,800 bottles were made.” -Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, Dec. 31, 2018

“Here is a wine I always look forward to tasting. The 2015 Etna Rosso Barbagalli is made with extraordinary pre-phylloxera vines that range up to 120 years old. You definitely taste the rich concentration and focused aromatic intensity that is so unique to old vines. This wine is characterized by the very steady, slow-paced nature of its aromas that unfold with elegance and grace. Small forest berry is followed by licorice, tar and dried violets. To the palate, the wine is very firm, tightly knit and embroidered with lovely little details and nuances. The wine is aged in 700-liter oak casks (lightly toasted) for 20 months. Only 2,500 bottles were released.” -Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, Dec. 31, 2018

“Light notes of ash and pencil shaving open the bouquet of the 2017 Etna Bianco. This vintage does not have the depth or width of previous editions. However, it does show impressive aromatic precision and focus. Dried grass, crushed stone and citrus fruit emerge from the fresh and zesty bouquet. Some 9,000 bottles were produced. You get great value here.” -Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, Dec. 31, 2018

“Showing a pale pink color, the 2017 Etna Rosato is a true beauty. The bouquet virtually flutters with delicate tones of pink rose and lilac, followed by wild raspberry and red currant. The finish is reductive (the wine is made in stainless steel vats), tonic, pristine and salty in flavor. This is definitely my kind of Rosato. Some 8,000 bottles were made.” -Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, Dec. 31, 2018