Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2012 Contrada G reveals earthy tones of crushed granite and flint that serve as a vivid remind that the great Etna volcano is never far. The Guardiola vineyard, which is stunningly beautiful by the way, sits between 800 and 1,000 meters above sea level. Franchetti's property is located near the bottom of the Contrada and has vines that are up to 80-years-old. The vineyard was spared from destruction by the 1947 eruption that sent violent lava flows down this way. Lucious fruit comes into focus and the wine is suprisingly soft and yielding on the finish. You rarely get this level of sensual richness in Etna reds.
-
Wine Enthusiast
Seductively rich and powerful but also refined, this opens with aromas of ripe berry, orange zest, exotic spice and leather. The firm, juicy palate delivers crunchy red cherry, crushed raspberry, anise, mineral and pipe tobacco alongside polished tannins. Drink 2016–2032.
-
Wine Spectator
Dense and sinewy, yet harmonious overall, with a core of spiced black cherry and pomegranate, red licorice, herb and graphite, wrapped in fine-grained tannins. Mouthwatering acidity carries the ripe fruit character on the finish. Nerello Mascalese. Drink now through 2030. 250 cases made.
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.