Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2012 Etna Rosso is Marco de Grazia's signature style with pretty floral aromas of blue flower, pressed violets, cassis and drying volcanic ash. It delivers great value with tight tannins and a long, polished mouthfeel.
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Wine Spectator
Tar and briar notes and a burly, tannic structure define the character of this bright red, with accents of coffee liqueur, dried herbs and incense building on the finish. This dense and well-knit version requires some short-term cellaring.
Italian Red Wine
While picturesque hillsides, endless coastlines and a favorable climate serve to unify the grape-growing culture of this country. The apparent never-ending world of indigenous grape varieties gives Italy an unexampled charm and allure for its red wines. From the steep inclines of the Alps to the sprawling, warm, coastal plains of the south, red grape varieties thrive throughout.
The kings of Italy, wines like Barolo and Barbaresco (made of Nebbiolo), and Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino (made of Sangiovese), as well as Amarone (mostly Corvina), play center stage for the most lauded, collected and cellar-worthy reds. Less popular but entirely deserving of as much praise are the wines made from Aglianico, Sagrantino and Nerello Mascalese.
For those accustomed to drinking New World reds, the south is the place to start. Grapes like Negroamaro or Primitvo from Puglia and Nero d’Avola from Sicily make soft, ammicable, full-bodied, fruit-dominant wines. Curious palates should be on the lookout for Cannonau (Grenache), Lagrein, Teroldego, Ruché, Freisa, Cesanese, Schiopettino, Rossese and Gaglioppo to name a few.