Acclaim

“Dried black cherries mix with cedary spice, mint and nuances of cocoa as the 2015 Etna Rosso Barbagalli opens with its dusty and maturing bouquet. This is soft and pliant with tart red and black berry fruits, yet it lacks the power and drive of better vintages. Rosy inner florals linger along with minerals and slightly edgy tannins. The 2015 finishes with good freshness. It suffers from being tasted next to the 2016, but the 2015 is still a beautiful interpretation of Barbagalli.” -Eric Guido

“The 2023 Etna Rosso Pietradolce is a dark and brooding effort with a whiff of flowery underbrush and ashen stone giving way to crushed black cherry. Silky smooth, it sweeps across the palate with ripe wild berry fruit and a collage of sweet spice, all guided by juicy acidity. The 2023 leaves a saturation of primary concentration and a tinge of tart blackberry while finishing with tension. This is far from an easy-drinking, simple Rosso. It should excel through medium-term cellaring.” -Eric Guido

“The 2021 Etna Rosso Archineri is wrapped up tight in its youthful state as dusty rose and raspberry aromas are complicated by a whiff of ash and flowery underbrush. This is dense and complex, with silken textures and masses of tart wild berry fruits motivated by a core of tantalizing acidity. Incredibly spicy and long, the 2021 leaves behind a coating of fine tannins and a sour cranberry resonance as hints of licorice fade.” -Eric Guido

“Sweet white flowers, chamomile and spice give way to crushed apples as the 2024 Etna Bianco Pietradolce wafts up from the glass. Pleasantly ripe in style, it splashes across the palate with crisp orchard fruits and minty herbal tones. This finishes with a sense of refinement as a tactile mineral tinge lingers.” -Eric Guido

“The 2016 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Teramane Opi is incredibly dark and brooding, with shavings of dark chocolate and eucalyptus working to lift its dried black cherry fruit aromas as a hint of tobacco slowly emerges. It washes across the palate with silken textural waves of polished red berry tones, underscored by tactile minerals and fine-grained tannins that slowly saturate toward the close. Tannic and long, the 2016 finishes with a staining of primary concentration and mentholated freshness. The 2016 shows unexpected energy for a barrique-aged Montepulciano.” -Eric Guido

“There’s a quiet sense of poise to this elegant red. Shows effortless integration, layering a sculpted frame of fine-grained tannins with flavors of dried raspberry and cranberry fruit, minerally iron and tar. Floral, herb and spice notes expand slowly on the palate, gaining momentum through the fresh and fluid finish. Drink now through 2040. 166 cases made, 50 cases imported.” -Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator, Jan. 2025

“This is well-spiced — almost zesty — with a skein of milled pepper and ground cumin winding through plumped cherry, iron, dried tarragon and lavender notes. Dense and chewy, with a lively, lingering and fragrant finish. Best from 2027 through 2037. 450 cases made, 150 cases imported.” -Alison Napjus

“This is burnished gold in hue, with aromas of salted butter and smoke transitioning to reveal layers of expressive flavor: macerated apricot and white raspberry fruit, spiced orange peel, raw hazelnut and white mocha, plus wild sage and crushed pine accents. Long on the palate and lightly chalky in texture, with hints of petrol and tar on the firm finish. Drink now through 2034. 145 cases made, 10 cases imported.”  –Alison Napjus