Fessina Musmeci Etna Rosso 2011
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Robert
Parker -
James
Suckling
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This is Tenuta di Fessina's top-shelf wine. The 2011 Etna Rosso Riserva Il Musmeci (100% Nerello Mascalese) is a silky and streamlined wine that has softened over time in the bottle. Its texture is very fine and subtle. The wine shows a dark garnet color with light highlights of brown and amber. The bouquet has moved into a tertiary stage as there is little bright fruit left. Instead, you get ethereal aromas of tar, licorice and campfire ash. The wine is at a perfect point in its drinking window now, but I wouldn't wait too much longer. Perhaps Tenuta di Fessina should release this Riserva a year or two earlier? Bottle production is 9,000 units strong.
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James Suckling
This shows aromas of ginger with raspberries and rosemary. Light yet flavorful with a clean finish. Drink now.
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2010-
James
Suckling -
Robert
Parker -
Wine
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Robert
Parker
LOCATION OF VINEYARD
Tenuta di Fessina is located in Rovittello, a small, picturesque village in the heart of Castiglione di Sicilia. The estate lies in the shadows of Mt. Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano, which adds to the mystique of this incredible property.
Beyond the usual suspects, there are hundreds of red grape varieties grown throughout the world. Some are indigenous specialties capable of producing excellent single varietal wines, while others are better suited for use as blending grapes. Each has its own distinct viticultural characteristics, as well as aroma and flavor profiles, offering much to be discovered by the curious wine lover. In particular, Portugal and Italy are known for having a multitude of unique varieties but they can really be found in any region.
A large, geographically and climatically diverse island, just off the toe of Italy, Sicily has long been recognized for its fortified Marsala wines. But it is also a wonderful source of diverse, high quality red and white wines. Steadily increasing in popularity over the past few decades, Italy’s fourth largest wine-producing region is finally receiving the accolades it deserves and shining in today's global market.
Though most think of the climate here as simply hot and dry, variations on this sun-drenched island range from cool Mediterranean along the coastlines to more extreme in its inland zones. Of particular note are the various microclimates of Europe's largest volcano, Mount Etna, where vineyards grow on drastically steep hillsides and varying aspects to the Ionian Sea. The more noteworthy red and white Sicilian wines that come from the volcanic soils of Mount Etna include Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio (reds) and Carricante (whites). All share a racy streak of minerality and, at their best, bear resemblance to their respective red and white Burgundies.
Nero d’Avola is the most widely planted red variety, and is great either as single varietal bottling or in blends with other indigenous varieties or even with international ones. For example, Nero d'Avola is blended with the lighter and floral, Frappato grape, to create the elegant, Cerasuolo di Vittoria, one of the more traditional and respected Sicilian wines of the island.
Grillo and Inzolia, the grapes of Marsala, are also used to produce aromatic, crisp dry Sicilian white. Pantelleria, a subtropical island belonging to the province of Sicily, specializes in Moscato di Pantelleria, made from the variety locally known as Zibibbo.