Acclaim

This pale, floral-scented wine is the most ethereal and linear Etna Rosso among Pietradolce’s current releases. Made with fruit from 90-year-old alberello vines that rise to an altitude of close to 3,000 feet on Etna’s northern slope, the wine’s tangy red-plum fl avors ride on nervy acidity, gaining notes of orange peel and cranberry tea along with hints of white smoke and a pleasant nut-skin savor. “Prettily volcanic” is the way one taster described it, and although it will age well, the wine is irresistible today for its verve and brightness.

Rampante feels more earthbound than the hightoned Santo Spirito; its dense, meaty tannins encase tangy plum and raspberry flavors, releasing them after a few hours in the glass. Those red fruit tones take on a pristine freshness over time, suggesting this will benefit from several years of cellaring.

Baked cherries, raspberries and sweet spices on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied, rich and juicy, with a sweet and salty character. From organically grown grapes. Drink now.

Strawberries, sliced mushrooms and licorice on the nose. Medium-bodied, juicy and nicely dry, with fine tannins and a fresh finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink now.

“Deep purple colour. Mellow aromas of violet, vanilla, blue fruit and oak. Then rich and ripe, with juicy acidity lifting the ripe fruit flavours and extending them nicely on the long juicy finish. Very good Barbera showcasing considerable freshness that really stands out on the long back end leaving the palate feeling clean (and in need of more wine!). This had been just bottled when I tasted it (about a month and a half prior to my visit to the winery) and so was still suffering from a little bottle shock with the wood somewhat out of sorts with the rest of the wine, but already then I could tell the wine was an absolute winner. Well done here. Drinking window: 2025-2029.” -Ian D’Agata

Aromas of candied cherries, macerated raspberries, dried rose and forest floor all combine on the nose of this wine. An excellent example of the elegance of La Morra, the palate is lifted with superfine tannins that support the supple red fruit notes, mixed spices and mineral-driven finish. Drink now–2045. — Jeff Porter

“Full-bodied and enveloping, the Santadi 2018 Cannonau Noras has aromas of ripe blueberry, Mediterranean scrub and oak-driven spice. The palate is concentrated but also shows finesse, delivering ripe black cherry, blackberry, espresso and tobacco alongside velvety tannins. Drink through 2028. Abv: 15%” -Kerin O’Keefe November 2023 ©kerinokeefe.com

“Aromas of scorched earth, Mediterranean brush, ripe black-skinned berry and pipe tobacco shape the nose on this full-bodied red. Made with 95% Carignano and 5% Bovaleddu and aged in new barrique, the bold, brawny palate offers notes of licorice, dried mint and molten chocolate that accent prune and blackberry extract. Velvety, close-grained tannins provide the backbone. Drink through 2029. Abv: 15%” -Kerin O’Keefe November 2023 ©kerinokeefe.com

“The 2021 Rosso di Montalcino Vermiglio opens slowly in the glass, as swirling reveals dark autumnal spice, dried cherries, sage and cocoa. This is pure elegance, velvety yet lifted, with a creamy wave of mineral-laced red fruits carried across a core of saline-tinged acidity. It leaves the palate drenched in primary concentration along with a coating of fine-grained tannins, flexing its structural muscle as salted licorice notes fade. The 2020 Vermiglio is a beast in need of taming. Bury it deep.” -Eric Guido, Vinous