IGT Terre Siciliane Rosso "Arenaria"

Italy
Sicily
2022

90% Nerello Mascalese/10% other local varieties. Eduardo acquired this half-hectare parcel of 70-plus-year-old vines in the territory of Castiglione, just outside of the Etna zone. It lies on Mt. Portella at 700 meters with a north-facing orientation. In traditional style, the vineyard is a mixed planting of various local white and red varieties. Nerello Mascalese is the main red, with Nerello Cappuccio, Alicante and Garnacha; the whites include Minnella, Catarratto, Grecanico and Inzolia. Notably, the terre bianche soils are not volcanic but sedimentary, based on sub-marine sandstone with clay and quartz (arenaria is marl or marne).

The bunches are hand-harvested, vinified as a mix of whole clusters and destemmed berries, co-fermented spontaneously with native yeasts and without sulfur or temperature control in concrete tank. Maceration lasts around 15 days. The wine is aged for 18 months in concrete tank with minimal racking. It is bottled without fining or filtration and with a tiny amount of sulfur.

94 points
"The 2022 Nerello Mascalese Arenaria takes its time in the glass. It is darkly floral and spiced with a smoldering blend of blackberries and grilled herbs offset by a tinge of tangerine. This impresses further with its combination of tart wild berries and zesty citrus tones elevated by juicy acidity over a stream of silken textures. Complex yet wildly energetic, the 2022 leaves the palate reeling as licorice comes together with black raspberry and cocoa over a bed of fine-grained tannins. The Arenaria is painfully young today yet full of potential, displaying incredible depth and refinement. In a word, spellbinding."
Eric Guido,
Vinous Media
August 2024

SKU/Code: 
DB3755-22
Product Line: 
Wine
Red
Varietal: 
Nerello Mascalese
Farming Type: 
Organic