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Producer name: Tenuta delle Terre Nere

Wines:

2025 Etna Rosato
Color: Rosé

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2026 - 2030

Tasting notes: The 2025 Etna Rosato is so impressive, mixing crushed peaches with chamomile, citrusy spices and spearmint. Luxuriously round and supple, it has brisk acidity to balance as decadently ripe orchard fruits are neatly offset by a crunch of minerality toward the close. It finishes long with a saline inflection. The 2025 is deeply complex and well balanced for the cellar.

Producer Commentary:
2023 Etna Rosso Prephylloxera La Vigna Di Don Peppino Calderara Sottana
Color: Red

Score: 97.0

Drinking window: 2027 - 2038

Tasting notes: The 2023 Etna Rosso Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino Calderara Sottana opens like a flower shop on the nose, intensely layered with depths of black cherry and spice. This is more lifted and graceful than expected, with a sour citrus tinge, tart wild berry fruits and mineral tones. Edgy tannins pinch at the cheeks as the 2023 resonates with blue and purple inner florals and a bitter licorice concentration that lingers impossibly long.

Producer Commentary:
Leave it to Marco de Grazia of Tenuta delle Terre Nere to take what many consider a difficult, lower-quality vintage and turn out a lineup of wines that exceeded expectations—and left this taster in awe. Interestingly, when I asked many producers how they adapted their winemaking in a challenging year like 2023, the most common answer was: “We didn’t change anything.” That’s a disappointing reality at many estates, but not here. De Grazia described 2023 as the most difficult vintage he’s experienced on Etna. Spring rains totaling around 400 millimeters triggered a devastating outbreak of downy mildew, cutting yields by up to 70% on the northern slopes. The eastern side was largely spared, which helps explain the strength of Terre Nere’s whites. The wet spring gave way to a hot, drought-stricken summer, leading to thicker skins and uneven ripening, as many vines shut down under hydric stress. Fortunately, light rains in September and ideal conditions through October helped save the harvest. The team responded with intense selection in both vineyard and cellar, followed by shorter macerations and minimal pumpovers. The resulting 2023s in bottle are some of the most exotic, finessed and elegant wines Terre Nere has ever produced. They deliver immense pleasure, but in some cases, such as the San Lorenzo, they reach a new level of depth and texture.
2022 Etna Rosso Moganazzi
Color: Red

Score: 95.0

Drinking window: 2026 - 2034

Tasting notes: The 2022 Etna Rosso Moganazzi has come together beautifully over the last year. This is explosive today, with a vivid mix of incense, clove and cinnamon stick that gives way to crushed blood orange and dusty black cherry notes. Its energy impresses first, washing across the palate with a soft and supple nature as depths of ripe red berry fruits slowly infuse the senses with a fresh, citrusy hint. Long and structured yet still accessible, the 2022 finishes with amazing concentration. This deserves an upgrade. 

Producer Commentary:
Leave it to Marco de Grazia of Tenuta delle Terre Nere to take what many consider a difficult, lower-quality vintage and turn out a lineup of wines that exceeded expectations—and left this taster in awe. Interestingly, when I asked many producers how they adapted their winemaking in a challenging year like 2023, the most common answer was: “We didn’t change anything.” That’s a disappointing reality at many estates, but not here. De Grazia described 2023 as the most difficult vintage he’s experienced on Etna. Spring rains totaling around 400 millimeters triggered a devastating outbreak of downy mildew, cutting yields by up to 70% on the northern slopes. The eastern side was largely spared, which helps explain the strength of Terre Nere’s whites. The wet spring gave way to a hot, drought-stricken summer, leading to thicker skins and uneven ripening, as many vines shut down under hydric stress. Fortunately, light rains in September and ideal conditions through October helped save the harvest. The team responded with intense selection in both vineyard and cellar, followed by shorter macerations and minimal pumpovers. The resulting 2023s in bottle are some of the most exotic, finessed and elegant wines Terre Nere has ever produced. They deliver immense pleasure, but in some cases, such as the San Lorenzo, they reach a new level of depth and texture.
2022 Etna Rosso Guardiola
Color: Red

Score: 95.0

Drinking window: 2026 - 2034

Tasting notes: Now after a year in bottle, the 2022 Etna Rosso Guardiola displays a captivating bouquet of dusty rose, incense, dried strawberry, sweet spice and violet candy. It sweeps across the palate with textures of pure silk yet remains lifted and energetic. Layers of ripe red and blue fruits saturate, interwoven with tactile mineral tones and a tinge of sour citrus and dark chocolate. Dramatically long and intense, the 2022 tapers off with youthful tension and fine-grained tannins, leaving behind a lingering floral resonance. This seductive and opulent Guardiola showcases exceptional balance.

Producer Commentary:
Leave it to Marco de Grazia of Tenuta delle Terre Nere to take what many consider a difficult, lower-quality vintage and turn out a lineup of wines that exceeded expectations—and left this taster in awe. Interestingly, when I asked many producers how they adapted their winemaking in a challenging year like 2023, the most common answer was: “We didn’t change anything.” That’s a disappointing reality at many estates, but not here. De Grazia described 2023 as the most difficult vintage he’s experienced on Etna. Spring rains totaling around 400 millimeters triggered a devastating outbreak of downy mildew, cutting yields by up to 70% on the northern slopes. The eastern side was largely spared, which helps explain the strength of Terre Nere’s whites. The wet spring gave way to a hot, drought-stricken summer, leading to thicker skins and uneven ripening, as many vines shut down under hydric stress. Fortunately, light rains in September and ideal conditions through October helped save the harvest. The team responded with intense selection in both vineyard and cellar, followed by shorter macerations and minimal pumpovers. The resulting 2023s in bottle are some of the most exotic, finessed and elegant wines Terre Nere has ever produced. They deliver immense pleasure, but in some cases, such as the San Lorenzo, they reach a new level of depth and texture.
2022 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana
Color: Red

Score: 96.0

Drinking window: 2026 - 2036

Tasting notes: Aromatic intensity characterizes the 2022 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana as crushed ashen stone and grilled herb aromas blow off to reveal spiced orange peels, dried black cherries and cloves. A captivating lift from vibrant acidity enlivens the wine's luxurious textures. Saline minerality enhances ripe wild berry fruits as grippy tannins build throughout. The finish is remarkably long and concentrated, displaying a youthful structure and a persistent, pleasantly tart edginess. This expertly blends generosity with power. 

Producer Commentary:
Leave it to Marco de Grazia of Tenuta delle Terre Nere to take what many consider a difficult, lower-quality vintage and turn out a lineup of wines that exceeded expectations—and left this taster in awe. Interestingly, when I asked many producers how they adapted their winemaking in a challenging year like 2023, the most common answer was: “We didn’t change anything.” That’s a disappointing reality at many estates, but not here. De Grazia described 2023 as the most difficult vintage he’s experienced on Etna. Spring rains totaling around 400 millimeters triggered a devastating outbreak of downy mildew, cutting yields by up to 70% on the northern slopes. The eastern side was largely spared, which helps explain the strength of Terre Nere’s whites. The wet spring gave way to a hot, drought-stricken summer, leading to thicker skins and uneven ripening, as many vines shut down under hydric stress. Fortunately, light rains in September and ideal conditions through October helped save the harvest. The team responded with intense selection in both vineyard and cellar, followed by shorter macerations and minimal pumpovers. The resulting 2023s in bottle are some of the most exotic, finessed and elegant wines Terre Nere has ever produced. They deliver immense pleasure, but in some cases, such as the San Lorenzo, they reach a new level of depth and texture.
2022 Etna Rosso 20 Anniversario
Color: Red

Score: 94.0

Drinking window: 2025 - 2032

Tasting notes: Focused and intense, the 2022 Etna Rosso 20 Anniversario unfurls with a captivating bouquet of autumnal spices, dusty rose and blood orange, followed by nuances of dried cherries. It floods the palate with vibrant wild berry fruit and mineral tones, propelled by a core of zesty acidity over a wave of silken textures. A primary concentration lingers along with sweet tannins through the violet-laced finale as delicate notes of confectionery spice gently taper off. The 20 Anniversario originates from a selection of vines planted in 2006 and 2007 within the Calderara Sottana Cru. This is not to be missed. 

Producer Commentary:
Leave it to Marco de Grazia of Tenuta delle Terre Nere to take what many consider a difficult, lower-quality vintage and turn out a lineup of wines that exceeded expectations—and left this taster in awe. Interestingly, when I asked many producers how they adapted their winemaking in a challenging year like 2023, the most common answer was: “We didn’t change anything.” That’s a disappointing reality at many estates, but not here. De Grazia described 2023 as the most difficult vintage he’s experienced on Etna. Spring rains totaling around 400 millimeters triggered a devastating outbreak of downy mildew, cutting yields by up to 70% on the northern slopes. The eastern side was largely spared, which helps explain the strength of Terre Nere’s whites. The wet spring gave way to a hot, drought-stricken summer, leading to thicker skins and uneven ripening, as many vines shut down under hydric stress. Fortunately, light rains in September and ideal conditions through October helped save the harvest. The team responded with intense selection in both vineyard and cellar, followed by shorter macerations and minimal pumpovers. The resulting 2023s in bottle are some of the most exotic, finessed and elegant wines Terre Nere has ever produced. They deliver immense pleasure, but in some cases, such as the San Lorenzo, they reach a new level of depth and texture.
2023 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito
Color: Red

Score: 94.0

Drinking window: 2026 - 2034

Tasting notes: The 2023 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito is moody in the glass. Dusty rose aromas combine with notes of pine and wild berries, all complicated by a hint of cocoa. Soothingly round and pliant, it splashes across the palate with an array of ripe red and blue fruits guided by vibrant acidity. A saturation of fine tannins emerges through the finish as this tapers off with amazing length and potency, leaving an air of lavender pastille to linger on. The 2023 is a gorgeous interpretation of Santo Spirito. 

Producer Commentary:
Leave it to Marco de Grazia of Tenuta delle Terre Nere to take what many consider a difficult, lower-quality vintage and turn out a lineup of wines that exceeded expectations—and left this taster in awe. Interestingly, when I asked many producers how they adapted their winemaking in a challenging year like 2023, the most common answer was: “We didn’t change anything.” That’s a disappointing reality at many estates, but not here. De Grazia described 2023 as the most difficult vintage he’s experienced on Etna. Spring rains totaling around 400 millimeters triggered a devastating outbreak of downy mildew, cutting yields by up to 70% on the northern slopes. The eastern side was largely spared, which helps explain the strength of Terre Nere’s whites. The wet spring gave way to a hot, drought-stricken summer, leading to thicker skins and uneven ripening, as many vines shut down under hydric stress. Fortunately, light rains in September and ideal conditions through October helped save the harvest. The team responded with intense selection in both vineyard and cellar, followed by shorter macerations and minimal pumpovers. The resulting 2023s in bottle are some of the most exotic, finessed and elegant wines Terre Nere has ever produced. They deliver immense pleasure, but in some cases, such as the San Lorenzo, they reach a new level of depth and texture.
2023 Etna Rosso San Lorenzo
Color: Red

Score: 97.0

Drinking window: 2027 - 2036

Tasting notes: The 2023 Etna Rosso San Lorenzo is surprisingly rich and spicy in this vintage. Cloves and cinnamon sticks combine with hints of cherry sauce and blood orange. This is elegant in style, with seamlessly silken textures and depths of ripe red berry fruits that saturate the palate in primary concentration. Powerful and potent, the 2023 finishes with extreme length and a staining of liquid lavender that lingers for well over a minute. The 2023 is unlike any San Lorenzo I've yet tasted. This has unbelievable depth.

Producer Commentary:
Leave it to Marco de Grazia of Tenuta delle Terre Nere to take what many consider a difficult, lower-quality vintage and turn out a lineup of wines that exceeded expectations—and left this taster in awe. Interestingly, when I asked many producers how they adapted their winemaking in a challenging year like 2023, the most common answer was: “We didn’t change anything.” That’s a disappointing reality at many estates, but not here. De Grazia described 2023 as the most difficult vintage he’s experienced on Etna. Spring rains totaling around 400 millimeters triggered a devastating outbreak of downy mildew, cutting yields by up to 70% on the northern slopes. The eastern side was largely spared, which helps explain the strength of Terre Nere’s whites. The wet spring gave way to a hot, drought-stricken summer, leading to thicker skins and uneven ripening, as many vines shut down under hydric stress. Fortunately, light rains in September and ideal conditions through October helped save the harvest. The team responded with intense selection in both vineyard and cellar, followed by shorter macerations and minimal pumpovers. The resulting 2023s in bottle are some of the most exotic, finessed and elegant wines Terre Nere has ever produced. They deliver immense pleasure, but in some cases, such as the San Lorenzo, they reach a new level of depth and texture.
2023 Etna Rosso Moganazzi
Color: Red

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2025 - 2034

Tasting notes: A dusting of sweet spice and minty herbs blows off to reveal dried black cherry and shavings of cedar as the 2023 Etna Rosso Moganazzi comes to life in the glass. This is cool and supple with an exotic tinge of tropical citrus that elevates its ripe wild berry fruits. The 2023 leaves a situation of primary concentration further enhanced by edgy tannins balanced by a bump of juicy acidity. The Moganazzi is already strutting its stuff, yet this has the balance for a steady evolution.

Producer Commentary:
Leave it to Marco de Grazia of Tenuta delle Terre Nere to take what many consider a difficult, lower-quality vintage and turn out a lineup of wines that exceeded expectations—and left this taster in awe. Interestingly, when I asked many producers how they adapted their winemaking in a challenging year like 2023, the most common answer was: “We didn’t change anything.” That’s a disappointing reality at many estates, but not here. De Grazia described 2023 as the most difficult vintage he’s experienced on Etna. Spring rains totaling around 400 millimeters triggered a devastating outbreak of downy mildew, cutting yields by up to 70% on the northern slopes. The eastern side was largely spared, which helps explain the strength of Terre Nere’s whites. The wet spring gave way to a hot, drought-stricken summer, leading to thicker skins and uneven ripening, as many vines shut down under hydric stress. Fortunately, light rains in September and ideal conditions through October helped save the harvest. The team responded with intense selection in both vineyard and cellar, followed by shorter macerations and minimal pumpovers. The resulting 2023s in bottle are some of the most exotic, finessed and elegant wines Terre Nere has ever produced. They deliver immense pleasure, but in some cases, such as the San Lorenzo, they reach a new level of depth and texture.
2023 Etna Rosso Guardiola
Color: Red

Score: 96.0

Drinking window: 2027 - 2036

Tasting notes: Dark and brooding, the 2023 Etna Rosso Guardiola slowly emerges with a whiff of crushed rocks and ash, giving way to fresher notes of rose petals, lavender and sour cherries. Silken in feel and surprisingly energetic within, it splashes across the palate with perfumed red and black fruits underscored by classic Guardiola minerality. Pleasantly chewy and exceptionally long, the 2023 finishes with crunchy tannins and a tinge of licorice, leaving the palate reeling with depth and concentration. This is deceivingly open today, yet it has the power and balance for extended cellaring.

Producer Commentary:
Leave it to Marco de Grazia of Tenuta delle Terre Nere to take what many consider a difficult, lower-quality vintage and turn out a lineup of wines that exceeded expectations—and left this taster in awe. Interestingly, when I asked many producers how they adapted their winemaking in a challenging year like 2023, the most common answer was: “We didn’t change anything.” That’s a disappointing reality at many estates, but not here. De Grazia described 2023 as the most difficult vintage he’s experienced on Etna. Spring rains totaling around 400 millimeters triggered a devastating outbreak of downy mildew, cutting yields by up to 70% on the northern slopes. The eastern side was largely spared, which helps explain the strength of Terre Nere’s whites. The wet spring gave way to a hot, drought-stricken summer, leading to thicker skins and uneven ripening, as many vines shut down under hydric stress. Fortunately, light rains in September and ideal conditions through October helped save the harvest. The team responded with intense selection in both vineyard and cellar, followed by shorter macerations and minimal pumpovers. The resulting 2023s in bottle are some of the most exotic, finessed and elegant wines Terre Nere has ever produced. They deliver immense pleasure, but in some cases, such as the San Lorenzo, they reach a new level of depth and texture.
2023 Etna Rosso Feudo Di Mezzo Il Quadro Delle Rose
Color: Red

Score: 94.0

Drinking window: 2025 - 2034

Tasting notes: The 2023 Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo Il Quadro delle Rose is darkly floral, with a tinge of autumnal spice that offsets its crushed black raspberry fruit. Plush upon entry, this sweeps across the palate with perfumed red berry fruits and nuances of candied citrus that add lovely contrast. It finishes long and crisp, leaving a crunchy sensation and a saturation of fine tannins. The 2023 is already enjoyable today, yet it will also excel through medium-term cellaring. 

Producer Commentary:
Leave it to Marco de Grazia of Tenuta delle Terre Nere to take what many consider a difficult, lower-quality vintage and turn out a lineup of wines that exceeded expectations—and left this taster in awe. Interestingly, when I asked many producers how they adapted their winemaking in a challenging year like 2023, the most common answer was: “We didn’t change anything.” That’s a disappointing reality at many estates, but not here. De Grazia described 2023 as the most difficult vintage he’s experienced on Etna. Spring rains totaling around 400 millimeters triggered a devastating outbreak of downy mildew, cutting yields by up to 70% on the northern slopes. The eastern side was largely spared, which helps explain the strength of Terre Nere’s whites. The wet spring gave way to a hot, drought-stricken summer, leading to thicker skins and uneven ripening, as many vines shut down under hydric stress. Fortunately, light rains in September and ideal conditions through October helped save the harvest. The team responded with intense selection in both vineyard and cellar, followed by shorter macerations and minimal pumpovers. The resulting 2023s in bottle are some of the most exotic, finessed and elegant wines Terre Nere has ever produced. They deliver immense pleasure, but in some cases, such as the San Lorenzo, they reach a new level of depth and texture.
2023 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana
Color: Red

Score: 96.5

Drinking window: 2027 - 2036

Tasting notes: The 2023 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana is dreamy, with a perfumed bouquet of rose, violet, smoke and sour citrus. This is wildly energetic and spry, with crisp red berry fruits and crunchy mineral tones that create an amazing tactile feel as sweet spice tones resonate throughout. The 2023 closes down hard through the finish, as expected in its youthful state. A saturation of crushed wild blueberry and lavender fades slowly. 

Producer Commentary:
Leave it to Marco de Grazia of Tenuta delle Terre Nere to take what many consider a difficult, lower-quality vintage and turn out a lineup of wines that exceeded expectations—and left this taster in awe. Interestingly, when I asked many producers how they adapted their winemaking in a challenging year like 2023, the most common answer was: “We didn’t change anything.” That’s a disappointing reality at many estates, but not here. De Grazia described 2023 as the most difficult vintage he’s experienced on Etna. Spring rains totaling around 400 millimeters triggered a devastating outbreak of downy mildew, cutting yields by up to 70% on the northern slopes. The eastern side was largely spared, which helps explain the strength of Terre Nere’s whites. The wet spring gave way to a hot, drought-stricken summer, leading to thicker skins and uneven ripening, as many vines shut down under hydric stress. Fortunately, light rains in September and ideal conditions through October helped save the harvest. The team responded with intense selection in both vineyard and cellar, followed by shorter macerations and minimal pumpovers. The resulting 2023s in bottle are some of the most exotic, finessed and elegant wines Terre Nere has ever produced. They deliver immense pleasure, but in some cases, such as the San Lorenzo, they reach a new level of depth and texture.
2023 Etna Rosso Bocca D'orzo
Color: Red

Score: 95.0

Drinking window: 2027 - 2034

Tasting notes: The 2023 Etna Rosso Bocca d'Orzo entices with a blend of wild herbs, strawberries, wet rocks and nuances of menthol. This is a model of purity, with sweet spice and mineral hints swirling throughout, complementing its ripe woodland berry fruits. The 2023 leaves the palate stained with wild blueberry and violet tones, along with a caking of fine-grained tannins and a subtle dark chocolate tinge. 

Producer Commentary:
Leave it to Marco de Grazia of Tenuta delle Terre Nere to take what many consider a difficult, lower-quality vintage and turn out a lineup of wines that exceeded expectations—and left this taster in awe. Interestingly, when I asked many producers how they adapted their winemaking in a challenging year like 2023, the most common answer was: “We didn’t change anything.” That’s a disappointing reality at many estates, but not here. De Grazia described 2023 as the most difficult vintage he’s experienced on Etna. Spring rains totaling around 400 millimeters triggered a devastating outbreak of downy mildew, cutting yields by up to 70% on the northern slopes. The eastern side was largely spared, which helps explain the strength of Terre Nere’s whites. The wet spring gave way to a hot, drought-stricken summer, leading to thicker skins and uneven ripening, as many vines shut down under hydric stress. Fortunately, light rains in September and ideal conditions through October helped save the harvest. The team responded with intense selection in both vineyard and cellar, followed by shorter macerations and minimal pumpovers. The resulting 2023s in bottle are some of the most exotic, finessed and elegant wines Terre Nere has ever produced. They deliver immense pleasure, but in some cases, such as the San Lorenzo, they reach a new level of depth and texture.
2023 Etna Rosso
Color: Red

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 2025 - 2029

Tasting notes: The 2023 Etna Rosso seduces with a burst of ripe cherries, cloves and sweet rose aromas. This is an energetic and wickedly fresh effort with a cascade of wild berry fruit and crunchy mineral tones that flow beneath an air of violet inner florals. A coating of fine tannins frames the finish without slowing its momentum as this tapers off with amazing length and a saturation of raspberry. The 2023 aims to please.

Producer Commentary:
Leave it to Marco de Grazia of Tenuta delle Terre Nere to take what many consider a difficult, lower-quality vintage and turn out a lineup of wines that exceeded expectations—and left this taster in awe. Interestingly, when I asked many producers how they adapted their winemaking in a challenging year like 2023, the most common answer was: “We didn’t change anything.” That’s a disappointing reality at many estates, but not here. De Grazia described 2023 as the most difficult vintage he’s experienced on Etna. Spring rains totaling around 400 millimeters triggered a devastating outbreak of downy mildew, cutting yields by up to 70% on the northern slopes. The eastern side was largely spared, which helps explain the strength of Terre Nere’s whites. The wet spring gave way to a hot, drought-stricken summer, leading to thicker skins and uneven ripening, as many vines shut down under hydric stress. Fortunately, light rains in September and ideal conditions through October helped save the harvest. The team responded with intense selection in both vineyard and cellar, followed by shorter macerations and minimal pumpovers. The resulting 2023s in bottle are some of the most exotic, finessed and elegant wines Terre Nere has ever produced. They deliver immense pleasure, but in some cases, such as the San Lorenzo, they reach a new level of depth and texture.
2024 Etna Rosato
Color: Rosé

Score: 91.0

Drinking window: 2025 - 2027

Tasting notes: Dusty and floral, the 2024 Etna Rosato lifts up with a delicate mix of peach, ripe melon and minty herbs. It's juicy in character with crisp white cherry-berry tones that resonate. The 2024 tapers off with a gentle tension as hints of wild strawberry slowly fade.

Producer Commentary:
Leave it to Marco de Grazia of Tenuta delle Terre Nere to take what many consider a difficult, lower-quality vintage and turn out a lineup of wines that exceeded expectations—and left this taster in awe. Interestingly, when I asked many producers how they adapted their winemaking in a challenging year like 2023, the most common answer was: “We didn’t change anything.” That’s a disappointing reality at many estates, but not here. De Grazia described 2023 as the most difficult vintage he’s experienced on Etna. Spring rains totaling around 400 millimeters triggered a devastating outbreak of downy mildew, cutting yields by up to 70% on the northern slopes. The eastern side was largely spared, which helps explain the strength of Terre Nere’s whites. The wet spring gave way to a hot, drought-stricken summer, leading to thicker skins and uneven ripening, as many vines shut down under hydric stress. Fortunately, light rains in September and ideal conditions through October helped save the harvest. The team responded with intense selection in both vineyard and cellar, followed by shorter macerations and minimal pumpovers. The resulting 2023s in bottle are some of the most exotic, finessed and elegant wines Terre Nere has ever produced. They deliver immense pleasure, but in some cases, such as the San Lorenzo, they reach a new level of depth and texture.
2023 Etna Bianco Superiore Salice
Color: White

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2025 - 2032

Tasting notes: A whiff of confectionary spice blows off to reveal notes of peach sorbet and sweet white flowers as the 2023 Etna Bianco Superiore Salice blossoms in the glass. Silken and pliant, this impresses further with its graceful character and ripe pit fruits, contrasted by a saline core of minerality. It finishes dramatically long and opulent yet cleans up beautifully with a resonant lemony concentration.

Producer Commentary:
Leave it to Marco de Grazia of Tenuta delle Terre Nere to take what many consider a difficult, lower-quality vintage and turn out a lineup of wines that exceeded expectations—and left this taster in awe. Interestingly, when I asked many producers how they adapted their winemaking in a challenging year like 2023, the most common answer was: “We didn’t change anything.” That’s a disappointing reality at many estates, but not here. De Grazia described 2023 as the most difficult vintage he’s experienced on Etna. Spring rains totaling around 400 millimeters triggered a devastating outbreak of downy mildew, cutting yields by up to 70% on the northern slopes. The eastern side was largely spared, which helps explain the strength of Terre Nere’s whites. The wet spring gave way to a hot, drought-stricken summer, leading to thicker skins and uneven ripening, as many vines shut down under hydric stress. Fortunately, light rains in September and ideal conditions through October helped save the harvest. The team responded with intense selection in both vineyard and cellar, followed by shorter macerations and minimal pumpovers. The resulting 2023s in bottle are some of the most exotic, finessed and elegant wines Terre Nere has ever produced. They deliver immense pleasure, but in some cases, such as the San Lorenzo, they reach a new level of depth and texture.
2023 Etna Bianco Santo Spirito
Color: White

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2025 - 2032

Tasting notes: The 2023 Etna Bianco Santo Spirito opens with a rich mix of ripe apricot and yellow apple complemented by nuances of vanilla bean and custard. This is soothingly round with a gentle inner sweetness and a wave of ripe orchard fruits elevated by brisk acidity. It leaves the palate stained in youthful concentration, finishing lightly structured with a pleasant bitterness.

Producer Commentary:
Leave it to Marco de Grazia of Tenuta delle Terre Nere to take what many consider a difficult, lower-quality vintage and turn out a lineup of wines that exceeded expectations—and left this taster in awe. Interestingly, when I asked many producers how they adapted their winemaking in a challenging year like 2023, the most common answer was: “We didn’t change anything.” That’s a disappointing reality at many estates, but not here. De Grazia described 2023 as the most difficult vintage he’s experienced on Etna. Spring rains totaling around 400 millimeters triggered a devastating outbreak of downy mildew, cutting yields by up to 70% on the northern slopes. The eastern side was largely spared, which helps explain the strength of Terre Nere’s whites. The wet spring gave way to a hot, drought-stricken summer, leading to thicker skins and uneven ripening, as many vines shut down under hydric stress. Fortunately, light rains in September and ideal conditions through October helped save the harvest. The team responded with intense selection in both vineyard and cellar, followed by shorter macerations and minimal pumpovers. The resulting 2023s in bottle are some of the most exotic, finessed and elegant wines Terre Nere has ever produced. They deliver immense pleasure, but in some cases, such as the San Lorenzo, they reach a new level of depth and texture.
2023 Etna Bianco Montalto
Color: White

Score: 94.0

Drinking window: 2025 - 2034

Tasting notes: The 2023 Etna Bianco Montalto is savory to the core with an herbal thrust that gives way to stone dust, dried flowers and sour melon. It's round and juicy upon entry, with a core of saline-infused orchard fruits adding youthful tension toward the close. The 2023 leaves nuances of nectarine and spice as it tapers off with amazing length through the potent salt-lick finale.

Producer Commentary:
Leave it to Marco de Grazia of Tenuta delle Terre Nere to take what many consider a difficult, lower-quality vintage and turn out a lineup of wines that exceeded expectations—and left this taster in awe. Interestingly, when I asked many producers how they adapted their winemaking in a challenging year like 2023, the most common answer was: “We didn’t change anything.” That’s a disappointing reality at many estates, but not here. De Grazia described 2023 as the most difficult vintage he’s experienced on Etna. Spring rains totaling around 400 millimeters triggered a devastating outbreak of downy mildew, cutting yields by up to 70% on the northern slopes. The eastern side was largely spared, which helps explain the strength of Terre Nere’s whites. The wet spring gave way to a hot, drought-stricken summer, leading to thicker skins and uneven ripening, as many vines shut down under hydric stress. Fortunately, light rains in September and ideal conditions through October helped save the harvest. The team responded with intense selection in both vineyard and cellar, followed by shorter macerations and minimal pumpovers. The resulting 2023s in bottle are some of the most exotic, finessed and elegant wines Terre Nere has ever produced. They deliver immense pleasure, but in some cases, such as the San Lorenzo, they reach a new level of depth and texture.
2023 Etna Bianco Calderara Sottana
Color: White

Score: 94.0

Drinking window: 2026 - 2034

Tasting notes: The 2023 Etna Bianco Calderara Sottana is rich and highly aromatic, with a bouquet of crushed hazelnut, almond custard, yellow flowers and dried apricot. It envelops the palate with salty minerals and tart orchard fruits offset by a tinge of brisk acidity and sour citrus tones. Lightly structured and full of tension, the 2023 lingers long with nuances of lemon peel and minty herbs on the finish.

Producer Commentary:
Leave it to Marco de Grazia of Tenuta delle Terre Nere to take what many consider a difficult, lower-quality vintage and turn out a lineup of wines that exceeded expectations—and left this taster in awe. Interestingly, when I asked many producers how they adapted their winemaking in a challenging year like 2023, the most common answer was: “We didn’t change anything.” That’s a disappointing reality at many estates, but not here. De Grazia described 2023 as the most difficult vintage he’s experienced on Etna. Spring rains totaling around 400 millimeters triggered a devastating outbreak of downy mildew, cutting yields by up to 70% on the northern slopes. The eastern side was largely spared, which helps explain the strength of Terre Nere’s whites. The wet spring gave way to a hot, drought-stricken summer, leading to thicker skins and uneven ripening, as many vines shut down under hydric stress. Fortunately, light rains in September and ideal conditions through October helped save the harvest. The team responded with intense selection in both vineyard and cellar, followed by shorter macerations and minimal pumpovers. The resulting 2023s in bottle are some of the most exotic, finessed and elegant wines Terre Nere has ever produced. They deliver immense pleasure, but in some cases, such as the San Lorenzo, they reach a new level of depth and texture.
2024 Etna Bianco
Color: White

Score: 90.0

Drinking window: 2025 - 2027

Tasting notes: A whiff of lemon oil mixes with sweet mint and crushed rocks as the 2024 Etna Bianco opens in the glass. This is juicy and playful in feel with ripe melon and a cascade of inner florals that swirl throughout. It leaves a salty sensation and nuances of candied citrus on the wickedly fresh finish. 

Producer Commentary:
Leave it to Marco de Grazia of Tenuta delle Terre Nere to take what many consider a difficult, lower-quality vintage and turn out a lineup of wines that exceeded expectations—and left this taster in awe. Interestingly, when I asked many producers how they adapted their winemaking in a challenging year like 2023, the most common answer was: “We didn’t change anything.” That’s a disappointing reality at many estates, but not here. De Grazia described 2023 as the most difficult vintage he’s experienced on Etna. Spring rains totaling around 400 millimeters triggered a devastating outbreak of downy mildew, cutting yields by up to 70% on the northern slopes. The eastern side was largely spared, which helps explain the strength of Terre Nere’s whites. The wet spring gave way to a hot, drought-stricken summer, leading to thicker skins and uneven ripening, as many vines shut down under hydric stress. Fortunately, light rains in September and ideal conditions through October helped save the harvest. The team responded with intense selection in both vineyard and cellar, followed by shorter macerations and minimal pumpovers. The resulting 2023s in bottle are some of the most exotic, finessed and elegant wines Terre Nere has ever produced. They deliver immense pleasure, but in some cases, such as the San Lorenzo, they reach a new level of depth and texture.
2022 Etna Rosso Guardiola
Color: Red

Score: 94.5

Drinking window: 2026 - 2038

Tasting notes: A gorgeous blend of dusty rose, incense, dried strawberries, stone dust and violet candies wafts up as the 2022 Etna Rosso Guardiola slowly awakens in the glass. This is creamy in feel yet lifted and energetic. Masses of ripe red and blue fruits saturate as tactile mineral tones settle in under an air of confectionery spice. Dramatically long and staining, the 2022 tapers off with youthful tension and crunchy tannins while a floral resonance persists. This is a seductive and rich Guardiola that displays fantastic balance.

Producer Commentary:
Being one of the first on the scene in Etna imparted Marco de Grazia with insights into the region that few others possess. Because of this, he’s been able to grow the Tenuta delle Terre Nere portfolio by leaps and bounds over the last 20 years while staying ahead of the curve the entire way. Over the years, de Grazia developed an extended selection of Etna Bianco and established Premier Crus and Grand Crus within his portfolio. Aside from celebrating his accomplishments, de Grazia is always the first to be blatantly honest about his failures. I’ve heard him criticize his wines more often than anyone else—that is part of what keeps him constantly in pursuit of further improvements. This year, de Grazia has completed the construction of a new barrel-aging facility dedicated to the Etna Rosso, which now allows him to mature the wine between 14 and 16 months in barrel before release (it was just shy of 12 months in the past). The entry level Etna Rosso has slowly been improving over the years, and yet the price remains remarkably fair. It's easily one of the best buys coming out of Etna today. Also, with the 2022 vintage, Terre Nere is releasing their Etna Rosso Bellacolonna from a "young vine" selection planted in 2006 and 2007 within the Calderara Sottana cru. It’s zesty and aromatic—also incredibly fresh, deep and refined. Think of this as a baby step above the Etna Rosso. As for 2022, an incredibly dry vintage partly saved by near-perfect conditions through October, some wines are warm-vintage in feel; they maintain fantastic acid balance and well-formed tannins. In many cases, the 2022s will drink sooner than the average vintage, but they deliver masses of pleasure in a harmonious package. There are several serious standouts in the lineup, such as the Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana, Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo and Guardiola. I made sure to add a “+” to several scores, as I can only imagine that they may be deserving of higher marks in years to come. Looking ahead to 2023, the winery lost about 25% of its production to downy mildew. The only wine I tasted from 2023 during this visit was the delicious Etna Rosato, produced in just 4,000 bottles versus the usual 40,000 produced.
2005 Etna Rosso Feudo Di Mezzo
Color: Red

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 2024 - 2027

Tasting notes: The 2005 Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo is a total pleasure, displaying a mature bouquet of dried flowers, underbrush, green olive, wild herbs and spiced blood orange. It's wonderfully fresh and lifted despite its age, with sweet red fruits and brisk acidity that establishes a lovely freshness. This tapers off with tension yet leaves the mouth watering as earth tones remain. I don't expect the 2005 to improve any further in bottle, but it is a beautiful example of Etna and the vision of Terre Nere.

Producer Commentary:
Being one of the first on the scene in Etna imparted Marco de Grazia with insights into the region that few others possess. Because of this, he’s been able to grow the Tenuta delle Terre Nere portfolio by leaps and bounds over the last 20 years while staying ahead of the curve the entire way. Over the years, de Grazia developed an extended selection of Etna Bianco and established Premier Crus and Grand Crus within his portfolio. Aside from celebrating his accomplishments, de Grazia is always the first to be blatantly honest about his failures. I’ve heard him criticize his wines more often than anyone else—that is part of what keeps him constantly in pursuit of further improvements. This year, de Grazia has completed the construction of a new barrel-aging facility dedicated to the Etna Rosso, which now allows him to mature the wine between 14 and 16 months in barrel before release (it was just shy of 12 months in the past). The entry level Etna Rosso has slowly been improving over the years, and yet the price remains remarkably fair. It's easily one of the best buys coming out of Etna today. Also, with the 2022 vintage, Terre Nere is releasing their Etna Rosso Bellacolonna from a "young vine" selection planted in 2006 and 2007 within the Calderara Sottana cru. It’s zesty and aromatic—also incredibly fresh, deep and refined. Think of this as a baby step above the Etna Rosso. As for 2022, an incredibly dry vintage partly saved by near-perfect conditions through October, some wines are warm-vintage in feel; they maintain fantastic acid balance and well-formed tannins. In many cases, the 2022s will drink sooner than the average vintage, but they deliver masses of pleasure in a harmonious package. There are several serious standouts in the lineup, such as the Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana, Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo and Guardiola. I made sure to add a “+” to several scores, as I can only imagine that they may be deserving of higher marks in years to come. Looking ahead to 2023, the winery lost about 25% of its production to downy mildew. The only wine I tasted from 2023 during this visit was the delicious Etna Rosato, produced in just 4,000 bottles versus the usual 40,000 produced.
2022 Etna Rosso San Lorenzo
Color: Red

Score: 95.0

Drinking window: 2026 - 2034

Tasting notes: Remarkably pretty, the 2022 Etna Rosso San Lorenzo wafts up with an array of dried flowers, cloves and lavender. Lifted and finessed, this opens with a hint of candied orange that enlivens its core of tart wild berries. Brisk acidity keeps the experience fresh throughout. Staining the palate in concentration, the San Lorenzo tapers off gently tannic and crunchy in feel, leaving gorgeous floral perfumes to linger on. This is the understated darling of the Terre Nere portfolio, and I expect that cellaring will bring even more complexity.

Producer Commentary:
Being one of the first on the scene in Etna imparted Marco de Grazia with insights into the region that few others possess. Because of this, he’s been able to grow the Tenuta delle Terre Nere portfolio by leaps and bounds over the last 20 years while staying ahead of the curve the entire way. Over the years, de Grazia developed an extended selection of Etna Bianco and established Premier Crus and Grand Crus within his portfolio. Aside from celebrating his accomplishments, de Grazia is always the first to be blatantly honest about his failures. I’ve heard him criticize his wines more often than anyone else—that is part of what keeps him constantly in pursuit of further improvements. This year, de Grazia has completed the construction of a new barrel-aging facility dedicated to the Etna Rosso, which now allows him to mature the wine between 14 and 16 months in barrel before release (it was just shy of 12 months in the past). The entry level Etna Rosso has slowly been improving over the years, and yet the price remains remarkably fair. It's easily one of the best buys coming out of Etna today. Also, with the 2022 vintage, Terre Nere is releasing their Etna Rosso Bellacolonna from a "young vine" selection planted in 2006 and 2007 within the Calderara Sottana cru. It’s zesty and aromatic—also incredibly fresh, deep and refined. Think of this as a baby step above the Etna Rosso. As for 2022, an incredibly dry vintage partly saved by near-perfect conditions through October, some wines are warm-vintage in feel; they maintain fantastic acid balance and well-formed tannins. In many cases, the 2022s will drink sooner than the average vintage, but they deliver masses of pleasure in a harmonious package. There are several serious standouts in the lineup, such as the Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana, Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo and Guardiola. I made sure to add a “+” to several scores, as I can only imagine that they may be deserving of higher marks in years to come. Looking ahead to 2023, the winery lost about 25% of its production to downy mildew. The only wine I tasted from 2023 during this visit was the delicious Etna Rosato, produced in just 4,000 bottles versus the usual 40,000 produced.
2022 Etna Rosso Prephylloxera La Vigna Di Don Peppino Calderara Sottana
Color: Red

Score: 96.0

Drinking window: 2026 - 2034

Tasting notes: Darkly alluring and youthfully backward, the 2022 Etna Rosso Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino Calderara Sottana smolders up with a blend of sweet spices, dusty violets and ash, giving way to dried black cherries, sage and cloves. This is velvety yet finessed, with a polished wave of ripe red and blue fruit that flows across a juicy stream of acidity. Hints of sour citrus add contrast toward the close. It finishes remarkably fresh and energetic, still tannic but lively, as crunchy tannins resonate and an air of lavender slowly fades. This is an elegant and genuinely harmonious edition of this cuvée. Simply stunning.

Producer Commentary:
Being one of the first on the scene in Etna imparted Marco de Grazia with insights into the region that few others possess. Because of this, he’s been able to grow the Tenuta delle Terre Nere portfolio by leaps and bounds over the last 20 years while staying ahead of the curve the entire way. Over the years, de Grazia developed an extended selection of Etna Bianco and established Premier Crus and Grand Crus within his portfolio. Aside from celebrating his accomplishments, de Grazia is always the first to be blatantly honest about his failures. I’ve heard him criticize his wines more often than anyone else—that is part of what keeps him constantly in pursuit of further improvements. This year, de Grazia has completed the construction of a new barrel-aging facility dedicated to the Etna Rosso, which now allows him to mature the wine between 14 and 16 months in barrel before release (it was just shy of 12 months in the past). The entry level Etna Rosso has slowly been improving over the years, and yet the price remains remarkably fair. It's easily one of the best buys coming out of Etna today. Also, with the 2022 vintage, Terre Nere is releasing their Etna Rosso Bellacolonna from a "young vine" selection planted in 2006 and 2007 within the Calderara Sottana cru. It’s zesty and aromatic—also incredibly fresh, deep and refined. Think of this as a baby step above the Etna Rosso. As for 2022, an incredibly dry vintage partly saved by near-perfect conditions through October, some wines are warm-vintage in feel; they maintain fantastic acid balance and well-formed tannins. In many cases, the 2022s will drink sooner than the average vintage, but they deliver masses of pleasure in a harmonious package. There are several serious standouts in the lineup, such as the Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana, Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo and Guardiola. I made sure to add a “+” to several scores, as I can only imagine that they may be deserving of higher marks in years to come. Looking ahead to 2023, the winery lost about 25% of its production to downy mildew. The only wine I tasted from 2023 during this visit was the delicious Etna Rosato, produced in just 4,000 bottles versus the usual 40,000 produced.
2022 Etna Rosso Moganazzi
Color: Red

Score: 94.0

Drinking window: 2026 - 2034

Tasting notes: The 2022 Etna Rosso Moganazzi is dusty, floral and lifted, with an air of confectionery spices and chalk dust that gives way to dried black cherries. This is round and supple, with a lavender-laced blend of red and blue fruits that swirl across a stream of brisk acidity. Grippy tannins come forward through the finale as the 2022 tapers off long and perfumed. A dusting of violet candies punctuates the experience beautifully.

Producer Commentary:
Being one of the first on the scene in Etna imparted Marco de Grazia with insights into the region that few others possess. Because of this, he’s been able to grow the Tenuta delle Terre Nere portfolio by leaps and bounds over the last 20 years while staying ahead of the curve the entire way. Over the years, de Grazia developed an extended selection of Etna Bianco and established Premier Crus and Grand Crus within his portfolio. Aside from celebrating his accomplishments, de Grazia is always the first to be blatantly honest about his failures. I’ve heard him criticize his wines more often than anyone else—that is part of what keeps him constantly in pursuit of further improvements. This year, de Grazia has completed the construction of a new barrel-aging facility dedicated to the Etna Rosso, which now allows him to mature the wine between 14 and 16 months in barrel before release (it was just shy of 12 months in the past). The entry level Etna Rosso has slowly been improving over the years, and yet the price remains remarkably fair. It's easily one of the best buys coming out of Etna today. Also, with the 2022 vintage, Terre Nere is releasing their Etna Rosso Bellacolonna from a "young vine" selection planted in 2006 and 2007 within the Calderara Sottana cru. It’s zesty and aromatic—also incredibly fresh, deep and refined. Think of this as a baby step above the Etna Rosso. As for 2022, an incredibly dry vintage partly saved by near-perfect conditions through October, some wines are warm-vintage in feel; they maintain fantastic acid balance and well-formed tannins. In many cases, the 2022s will drink sooner than the average vintage, but they deliver masses of pleasure in a harmonious package. There are several serious standouts in the lineup, such as the Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana, Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo and Guardiola. I made sure to add a “+” to several scores, as I can only imagine that they may be deserving of higher marks in years to come. Looking ahead to 2023, the winery lost about 25% of its production to downy mildew. The only wine I tasted from 2023 during this visit was the delicious Etna Rosato, produced in just 4,000 bottles versus the usual 40,000 produced.
2022 Etna Rosso Feudo Di Mezzo
Color: Red

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2026 - 2034

Tasting notes: Rosy and perfumed, the 2022 Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo opens with a lovely bouquet that blends dried flowers with crushed strawberries and hints of lavender. This displays textures of pure silk with a lifted and finessed feel. Tart wild berry fruits add a lovely inner tension. A web of fine-grained tannins frames the experience nicely as the 2022 tapers off with staining length and a tart cranberry concentration. 

Producer Commentary:
Being one of the first on the scene in Etna imparted Marco de Grazia with insights into the region that few others possess. Because of this, he’s been able to grow the Tenuta delle Terre Nere portfolio by leaps and bounds over the last 20 years while staying ahead of the curve the entire way. Over the years, de Grazia developed an extended selection of Etna Bianco and established Premier Crus and Grand Crus within his portfolio. Aside from celebrating his accomplishments, de Grazia is always the first to be blatantly honest about his failures. I’ve heard him criticize his wines more often than anyone else—that is part of what keeps him constantly in pursuit of further improvements. This year, de Grazia has completed the construction of a new barrel-aging facility dedicated to the Etna Rosso, which now allows him to mature the wine between 14 and 16 months in barrel before release (it was just shy of 12 months in the past). The entry level Etna Rosso has slowly been improving over the years, and yet the price remains remarkably fair. It's easily one of the best buys coming out of Etna today. Also, with the 2022 vintage, Terre Nere is releasing their Etna Rosso Bellacolonna from a "young vine" selection planted in 2006 and 2007 within the Calderara Sottana cru. It’s zesty and aromatic—also incredibly fresh, deep and refined. Think of this as a baby step above the Etna Rosso. As for 2022, an incredibly dry vintage partly saved by near-perfect conditions through October, some wines are warm-vintage in feel; they maintain fantastic acid balance and well-formed tannins. In many cases, the 2022s will drink sooner than the average vintage, but they deliver masses of pleasure in a harmonious package. There are several serious standouts in the lineup, such as the Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana, Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo and Guardiola. I made sure to add a “+” to several scores, as I can only imagine that they may be deserving of higher marks in years to come. Looking ahead to 2023, the winery lost about 25% of its production to downy mildew. The only wine I tasted from 2023 during this visit was the delicious Etna Rosato, produced in just 4,000 bottles versus the usual 40,000 produced.
2022 Etna Rosso Dagala Di Bocca D'orzo
Color: Red

Score: 95.0

Drinking window: 2026 - 2036

Tasting notes: The 2022 Etna Rosso Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo elicits an official "wow" from the first tilt of the glass, smoldering up with a blend of plum sauce, grilled herbs, violet-laced blackberries and hints of dark chocolate. This is nearly velvety in feel, with a burst of sweet spice up front complementing a core of ripe wild berries as candied citrus tones resonate toward the close. It tapers off with a tactile coating of minerals and silky tannins, creating a perfect framework for this genuinely mesmerizing experience. The 2022 Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo is a total seductress. 

Producer Commentary:
Being one of the first on the scene in Etna imparted Marco de Grazia with insights into the region that few others possess. Because of this, he’s been able to grow the Tenuta delle Terre Nere portfolio by leaps and bounds over the last 20 years while staying ahead of the curve the entire way. Over the years, de Grazia developed an extended selection of Etna Bianco and established Premier Crus and Grand Crus within his portfolio. Aside from celebrating his accomplishments, de Grazia is always the first to be blatantly honest about his failures. I’ve heard him criticize his wines more often than anyone else—that is part of what keeps him constantly in pursuit of further improvements. This year, de Grazia has completed the construction of a new barrel-aging facility dedicated to the Etna Rosso, which now allows him to mature the wine between 14 and 16 months in barrel before release (it was just shy of 12 months in the past). The entry level Etna Rosso has slowly been improving over the years, and yet the price remains remarkably fair. It's easily one of the best buys coming out of Etna today. Also, with the 2022 vintage, Terre Nere is releasing their Etna Rosso Bellacolonna from a "young vine" selection planted in 2006 and 2007 within the Calderara Sottana cru. It’s zesty and aromatic—also incredibly fresh, deep and refined. Think of this as a baby step above the Etna Rosso. As for 2022, an incredibly dry vintage partly saved by near-perfect conditions through October, some wines are warm-vintage in feel; they maintain fantastic acid balance and well-formed tannins. In many cases, the 2022s will drink sooner than the average vintage, but they deliver masses of pleasure in a harmonious package. There are several serious standouts in the lineup, such as the Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana, Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo and Guardiola. I made sure to add a “+” to several scores, as I can only imagine that they may be deserving of higher marks in years to come. Looking ahead to 2023, the winery lost about 25% of its production to downy mildew. The only wine I tasted from 2023 during this visit was the delicious Etna Rosato, produced in just 4,000 bottles versus the usual 40,000 produced.
2022 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana Bellacolonna
Color: Red

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2025 - 2030

Tasting notes: Vivid and intense, a burst of autumnal spices, dusty rose, and blood orange gives way to dried strawberries as the 2022 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana Bellacolonna blossoms in the glass. Simply stunning, it splashes across the palate with crunchy wild berry fruits and mineral tones, all motivated by a core of zesty acidity. It leaves a staining of primary concentration and silky tannins to linger through the violet-tinged finale as hints of confectionery spice fade slowly. The Bellacolonna is from a "young vine" selection planted in 2006 and 2007 within the Calderara Sottana cru. 

Producer Commentary:
Being one of the first on the scene in Etna imparted Marco de Grazia with insights into the region that few others possess. Because of this, he’s been able to grow the Tenuta delle Terre Nere portfolio by leaps and bounds over the last 20 years while staying ahead of the curve the entire way. Over the years, de Grazia developed an extended selection of Etna Bianco and established Premier Crus and Grand Crus within his portfolio. Aside from celebrating his accomplishments, de Grazia is always the first to be blatantly honest about his failures. I’ve heard him criticize his wines more often than anyone else—that is part of what keeps him constantly in pursuit of further improvements. This year, de Grazia has completed the construction of a new barrel-aging facility dedicated to the Etna Rosso, which now allows him to mature the wine between 14 and 16 months in barrel before release (it was just shy of 12 months in the past). The entry level Etna Rosso has slowly been improving over the years, and yet the price remains remarkably fair. It's easily one of the best buys coming out of Etna today. Also, with the 2022 vintage, Terre Nere is releasing their Etna Rosso Bellacolonna from a "young vine" selection planted in 2006 and 2007 within the Calderara Sottana cru. It’s zesty and aromatic—also incredibly fresh, deep and refined. Think of this as a baby step above the Etna Rosso. As for 2022, an incredibly dry vintage partly saved by near-perfect conditions through October, some wines are warm-vintage in feel; they maintain fantastic acid balance and well-formed tannins. In many cases, the 2022s will drink sooner than the average vintage, but they deliver masses of pleasure in a harmonious package. There are several serious standouts in the lineup, such as the Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana, Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo and Guardiola. I made sure to add a “+” to several scores, as I can only imagine that they may be deserving of higher marks in years to come. Looking ahead to 2023, the winery lost about 25% of its production to downy mildew. The only wine I tasted from 2023 during this visit was the delicious Etna Rosato, produced in just 4,000 bottles versus the usual 40,000 produced.
2022 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana
Color: Red

Score: 95.5

Drinking window: 2026 - 2036

Tasting notes: The 2022 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana is intense and spicy in the glass. Crushed ashen stones and grilled herbs give way to dried black cherries and spiced orange peels. Luxuriously smooth up front, this finds a lovely lift through a core of tantalizing acidity as saline minerals and the onset of grippy tannins firm up its ripe wild berry fruits. This tapers off with tremendous length and concentration, leaving a youthfully structured feel and a pleasantly tart sensation that lingers on and on. The 2022 mixes generosity with power in a beautifully balanced package that will promote over a decade of cellaring. 

Producer Commentary:
Being one of the first on the scene in Etna imparted Marco de Grazia with insights into the region that few others possess. Because of this, he’s been able to grow the Tenuta delle Terre Nere portfolio by leaps and bounds over the last 20 years while staying ahead of the curve the entire way. Over the years, de Grazia developed an extended selection of Etna Bianco and established Premier Crus and Grand Crus within his portfolio. Aside from celebrating his accomplishments, de Grazia is always the first to be blatantly honest about his failures. I’ve heard him criticize his wines more often than anyone else—that is part of what keeps him constantly in pursuit of further improvements. This year, de Grazia has completed the construction of a new barrel-aging facility dedicated to the Etna Rosso, which now allows him to mature the wine between 14 and 16 months in barrel before release (it was just shy of 12 months in the past). The entry level Etna Rosso has slowly been improving over the years, and yet the price remains remarkably fair. It's easily one of the best buys coming out of Etna today. Also, with the 2022 vintage, Terre Nere is releasing their Etna Rosso Bellacolonna from a "young vine" selection planted in 2006 and 2007 within the Calderara Sottana cru. It’s zesty and aromatic—also incredibly fresh, deep and refined. Think of this as a baby step above the Etna Rosso. As for 2022, an incredibly dry vintage partly saved by near-perfect conditions through October, some wines are warm-vintage in feel; they maintain fantastic acid balance and well-formed tannins. In many cases, the 2022s will drink sooner than the average vintage, but they deliver masses of pleasure in a harmonious package. There are several serious standouts in the lineup, such as the Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana, Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo and Guardiola. I made sure to add a “+” to several scores, as I can only imagine that they may be deserving of higher marks in years to come. Looking ahead to 2023, the winery lost about 25% of its production to downy mildew. The only wine I tasted from 2023 during this visit was the delicious Etna Rosato, produced in just 4,000 bottles versus the usual 40,000 produced.
2022 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito
Color: Red

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2026 - 2032

Tasting notes: Opening like a basket of wild berries with dusty florals and sweet lavender, the 2022 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito is a total pleasure on the nose. This is lifted and pure in style, with ripe raspberries and blueberries mingling over a core of brisk acidity. It's long and structured yet still remarkably fresh, leaving a subtle coating of primary concentration and fine tannins to fade slowly. The Santo Spirito continues to be one of the most widely appealing wines in the Terre Nere portfolio, providing lovely depth, concentration and structure in a beautifully balanced package. 

Producer Commentary:
Being one of the first on the scene in Etna imparted Marco de Grazia with insights into the region that few others possess. Because of this, he’s been able to grow the Tenuta delle Terre Nere portfolio by leaps and bounds over the last 20 years while staying ahead of the curve the entire way. Over the years, de Grazia developed an extended selection of Etna Bianco and established Premier Crus and Grand Crus within his portfolio. Aside from celebrating his accomplishments, de Grazia is always the first to be blatantly honest about his failures. I’ve heard him criticize his wines more often than anyone else—that is part of what keeps him constantly in pursuit of further improvements. This year, de Grazia has completed the construction of a new barrel-aging facility dedicated to the Etna Rosso, which now allows him to mature the wine between 14 and 16 months in barrel before release (it was just shy of 12 months in the past). The entry level Etna Rosso has slowly been improving over the years, and yet the price remains remarkably fair. It's easily one of the best buys coming out of Etna today. Also, with the 2022 vintage, Terre Nere is releasing their Etna Rosso Bellacolonna from a "young vine" selection planted in 2006 and 2007 within the Calderara Sottana cru. It’s zesty and aromatic—also incredibly fresh, deep and refined. Think of this as a baby step above the Etna Rosso. As for 2022, an incredibly dry vintage partly saved by near-perfect conditions through October, some wines are warm-vintage in feel; they maintain fantastic acid balance and well-formed tannins. In many cases, the 2022s will drink sooner than the average vintage, but they deliver masses of pleasure in a harmonious package. There are several serious standouts in the lineup, such as the Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana, Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo and Guardiola. I made sure to add a “+” to several scores, as I can only imagine that they may be deserving of higher marks in years to come. Looking ahead to 2023, the winery lost about 25% of its production to downy mildew. The only wine I tasted from 2023 during this visit was the delicious Etna Rosato, produced in just 4,000 bottles versus the usual 40,000 produced.
2022 Etna Rosso
Color: Red

Score: 92.5

Drinking window: 2025 - 2032

Tasting notes: Incredibly spicy, the 2022 Etna Rosso bursts from the glass with a wild bouquet of cloves and incense, giving way to dried cherries and sage. This is silky-smooth, with cooling acidity lifting its dense core of ripe red berry fruits as crunchy mineral tones resonate throughout. The 2022 finishes impossibly long and staining yet only gently tannic, leaving a lovely air of lavender and cloves that echoes on. Terre Nere continues to raise the bar with their Etna Rosso; it now has its own barrel-aging facility, which has allowed them to keep the wine in barrel between 14 to 16 months. 

Producer Commentary:
Being one of the first on the scene in Etna imparted Marco de Grazia with insights into the region that few others possess. Because of this, he’s been able to grow the Tenuta delle Terre Nere portfolio by leaps and bounds over the last 20 years while staying ahead of the curve the entire way. Over the years, de Grazia developed an extended selection of Etna Bianco and established Premier Crus and Grand Crus within his portfolio. Aside from celebrating his accomplishments, de Grazia is always the first to be blatantly honest about his failures. I’ve heard him criticize his wines more often than anyone else—that is part of what keeps him constantly in pursuit of further improvements. This year, de Grazia has completed the construction of a new barrel-aging facility dedicated to the Etna Rosso, which now allows him to mature the wine between 14 and 16 months in barrel before release (it was just shy of 12 months in the past). The entry level Etna Rosso has slowly been improving over the years, and yet the price remains remarkably fair. It's easily one of the best buys coming out of Etna today. Also, with the 2022 vintage, Terre Nere is releasing their Etna Rosso Bellacolonna from a "young vine" selection planted in 2006 and 2007 within the Calderara Sottana cru. It’s zesty and aromatic—also incredibly fresh, deep and refined. Think of this as a baby step above the Etna Rosso. As for 2022, an incredibly dry vintage partly saved by near-perfect conditions through October, some wines are warm-vintage in feel; they maintain fantastic acid balance and well-formed tannins. In many cases, the 2022s will drink sooner than the average vintage, but they deliver masses of pleasure in a harmonious package. There are several serious standouts in the lineup, such as the Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana, Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo and Guardiola. I made sure to add a “+” to several scores, as I can only imagine that they may be deserving of higher marks in years to come. Looking ahead to 2023, the winery lost about 25% of its production to downy mildew. The only wine I tasted from 2023 during this visit was the delicious Etna Rosato, produced in just 4,000 bottles versus the usual 40,000 produced.
2023 Etna Rosato
Color: Rosé

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 2024 - 2028

Tasting notes: The 2023 Etna Rosato wafts from the glass with wild aromatics, blending cantaloupe with wild strawberries, white flowers and hints of confectionery spice. This is deeply textural and nearly oily in feel, with masses of ripe wild berry fruits and rosy inner florals that cascade throughout. It finishes crisply refreshing with a light tinge of blood orange and spice—just lovely. Due to downy mildew, the production of the 2023 Rosato totals just 4000 bottles, as opposed to the typical 40,000. Don't miss it.

Producer Commentary:
Being one of the first on the scene in Etna imparted Marco de Grazia with insights into the region that few others possess. Because of this, he’s been able to grow the Tenuta delle Terre Nere portfolio by leaps and bounds over the last 20 years while staying ahead of the curve the entire way. Over the years, de Grazia developed an extended selection of Etna Bianco and established Premier Crus and Grand Crus within his portfolio. Aside from celebrating his accomplishments, de Grazia is always the first to be blatantly honest about his failures. I’ve heard him criticize his wines more often than anyone else—that is part of what keeps him constantly in pursuit of further improvements. This year, de Grazia has completed the construction of a new barrel-aging facility dedicated to the Etna Rosso, which now allows him to mature the wine between 14 and 16 months in barrel before release (it was just shy of 12 months in the past). The entry level Etna Rosso has slowly been improving over the years, and yet the price remains remarkably fair. It's easily one of the best buys coming out of Etna today. Also, with the 2022 vintage, Terre Nere is releasing their Etna Rosso Bellacolonna from a "young vine" selection planted in 2006 and 2007 within the Calderara Sottana cru. It’s zesty and aromatic—also incredibly fresh, deep and refined. Think of this as a baby step above the Etna Rosso. As for 2022, an incredibly dry vintage partly saved by near-perfect conditions through October, some wines are warm-vintage in feel; they maintain fantastic acid balance and well-formed tannins. In many cases, the 2022s will drink sooner than the average vintage, but they deliver masses of pleasure in a harmonious package. There are several serious standouts in the lineup, such as the Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana, Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo and Guardiola. I made sure to add a “+” to several scores, as I can only imagine that they may be deserving of higher marks in years to come. Looking ahead to 2023, the winery lost about 25% of its production to downy mildew. The only wine I tasted from 2023 during this visit was the delicious Etna Rosato, produced in just 4,000 bottles versus the usual 40,000 produced.
2023 Etna Bianco
Color: White

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 2024 - 2028

Tasting notes: Honeyed florals, candied ginger, hints of fennel and crushed green apples form a spicy and inviting bouquet as the 2023 Etna Bianco opens in the glass. This plays depths of ripe orchard fruit against a core of salty minerals and savory spices as a wave of stimulating acidity completely resets the palate. The 2023 tapers off perfumed and long, leaving a pleasantly sour tinge of citrus that puckers the cheeks.

Producer Commentary:
Being one of the first on the scene in Etna imparted Marco de Grazia with insights into the region that few others possess. Because of this, he’s been able to grow the Tenuta delle Terre Nere portfolio by leaps and bounds over the last 20 years while staying ahead of the curve the entire way. Over the years, de Grazia developed an extended selection of Etna Bianco and established Premier Crus and Grand Crus within his portfolio. Aside from celebrating his accomplishments, de Grazia is always the first to be blatantly honest about his failures. I’ve heard him criticize his wines more often than anyone else—that is part of what keeps him constantly in pursuit of further improvements. This year, de Grazia has completed the construction of a new barrel-aging facility dedicated to the Etna Rosso, which now allows him to mature the wine between 14 and 16 months in barrel before release (it was just shy of 12 months in the past). The entry level Etna Rosso has slowly been improving over the years, and yet the price remains remarkably fair. It's easily one of the best buys coming out of Etna today. Also, with the 2022 vintage, Terre Nere is releasing their Etna Rosso Bellacolonna from a "young vine" selection planted in 2006 and 2007 within the Calderara Sottana cru. It’s zesty and aromatic—also incredibly fresh, deep and refined. Think of this as a baby step above the Etna Rosso. As for 2022, an incredibly dry vintage partly saved by near-perfect conditions through October, some wines are warm-vintage in feel; they maintain fantastic acid balance and well-formed tannins. In many cases, the 2022s will drink sooner than the average vintage, but they deliver masses of pleasure in a harmonious package. There are several serious standouts in the lineup, such as the Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana, Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo and Guardiola. I made sure to add a “+” to several scores, as I can only imagine that they may be deserving of higher marks in years to come. Looking ahead to 2023, the winery lost about 25% of its production to downy mildew. The only wine I tasted from 2023 during this visit was the delicious Etna Rosato, produced in just 4,000 bottles versus the usual 40,000 produced.
2022 Etna Bianco Le Vigne Niche Santo Spirito
Color: White

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2025 - 2032

Tasting notes: The 2022 Etna Bianco Le Vigne Niche Santo Spirito lifts from the glass with a savory blend of crushed green apples, wet stones and touches of chamomile. This is silky and soothing, with depths of ripe apricot and nectarine complicated by sweet herbal tones and hints of candied lime, all lifted by a core of brisk acidity. It finishes long and lightly structured, leaving a mineral tinge and Asian pear traces slowly fading. Typically, I find the Santo Spirito to be the more forward and accessible Bianco from the Terre Nere portfolio, but in 2022, it’s holding its power in reserve. Cellaring is recommended.

Producer Commentary:
2022 Etna Bianco Le Vigne Niche Calderara Sottana
Color: White

Score: 94.0

Drinking window: 2025 - 2032

Tasting notes: With a bouquet like chiseling through sheer limestone with all of the smoky and flinty nuances that come with it, the 2022 Etna Bianco Le Vigne Niche Calderara Sottana is impossible to ignore. It’s silky upon entry yet quickly builds with mineral tension. A savory, sweet interplay of citrus and spice offsets ripe nectarines and apricots. The 2022 leaves the palate reeling with youthful tension and watering for more as it finishes with outstanding freshness. This may not be the longest-lived Calderara Sottana Bianco, yet there’s no rush. It’s a total charmer.

Producer Commentary:
2022 Etna Bianco Superiore Le Vigne Niche Salice
Color: White

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 2023 - 2030

Tasting notes: The 2022 Etna Bianco Superiore Le Vigne Niche Salice entices with a mineral-laden bouquet that blends white flowers and pine with chalk dust and cardamon. Soft and round, it fills the palate with a savory herbal thrust and white pit fruits, taking on a salty flourish toward the close. The Saline finishes with medium length and salty flourish while. A gentle tension slowly fades.

Producer Commentary:
2022 Etna Bianco Le Vigne Niche Montalto
Color: White

Score: 94.0

Drinking window: 2024 - 2032

Tasting notes: Spicy and full of tension, the 2022 Etna Bianco Le Vigne Niche Montalto bursts from the glass with a blend of lemon zest, minty herbs, young peaches and crushed rocks. This opens with a pretty inner sweetness and crisp minerality, rushing the palate with ripe orchard fruits elevated by candied citrus. The Montalto finishes with fantastic length and potency, lightly structured and tactile. This gorgeous Etna Bianco is drinking beautifully today yet with the balance to promote medium-term cellaring.

Producer Commentary:
2021 Etna Bianco Le Vigne Niche Montalto
Color: White

Score: 94.0

Drinking window: 2023 - 2026

Tasting notes: Dried flowers and smoky crushed stone give way to musky dried apricots as the youthfully coy 2021 Etna Bianco Le Vigne Niche Montalto grumbles up from the glass. Soft and enveloping, this is a textural thrill-ride, seemingly oily at times yet full of zesty tension, blending lemon oils and grapefruit with green apple and salty mineral tones. The 2021 finishes with outstanding length and mineral staining that lingers long as pretty inner florals and hints of tropical citrus slowly fade. The Montalto is sourced from vines on the southern slopes of Etna, between 900 to 975 meters in elevation, a location that the top producers often ignored until recently. That said, the 2021 from Terre Nere proves the worth of these vines. 

Producer Commentary:
Terre Nerre’s 2020s are simply off the charts. These are some of the most exciting young wines I've ever tasted from the estate, mixing power and elegance in a way that I find wildly attractive. Marco de Grazia described 2020 as a see-saw vintage with repeated abundant rains and cool weather balanced by warm and dry conditions. The results were an extended harvest and fruit with higher-than-average acidity. That acidity lends the 2020s a more accessible feel, but make no mistake, they have depths of primary fruit and a structure that promises long evolution. Some will drink sooner than others, but all possess serious cellar potential. Two thousand and twenty-one was defined by vast fluctuations in temperature that offset ripening and drought throughout the season. While the grapes achieved physiological ripeness, the thickening of the skins and lack of juice in the berries made achieving balance challenging. That said, most of the wines don’t show it anywhere near as much as I had expected. In some cases, such as Moganazzi and Feudo di Mezzo, their balance falls off through the finish. Otherwise, the portfolio presents aromatic and dazzling wines in fine form, with a distinct sense of place. Terre Nere collectors should not hesitate, especially since production was down a whopping 30%.
2021 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito
Color: Red

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2025 - 2031

Tasting notes: The 2021 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito is dark and dusty in character, yet impossible to resist. It slowly unleashes a core of crushed raspberries, mint leaf and sage. It’s silky and refined, with cooling acidity and pretty strawberry fruits complemented by rosy inner florals. A cascade of licorice and crunchy tart cranberry defines the finale, as the 2021 tapers off youthfully tense, nearly puckering the cheeks, yet only lightly structured. Patience is recommended, yet it will be hard to maintain.

Producer Commentary:
Terre Nerre’s 2020s are simply off the charts. These are some of the most exciting young wines I've ever tasted from the estate, mixing power and elegance in a way that I find wildly attractive. Marco de Grazia described 2020 as a see-saw vintage with repeated abundant rains and cool weather balanced by warm and dry conditions. The results were an extended harvest and fruit with higher-than-average acidity. That acidity lends the 2020s a more accessible feel, but make no mistake, they have depths of primary fruit and a structure that promises long evolution. Some will drink sooner than others, but all possess serious cellar potential. Two thousand and twenty-one was defined by vast fluctuations in temperature that offset ripening and drought throughout the season. While the grapes achieved physiological ripeness, the thickening of the skins and lack of juice in the berries made achieving balance challenging. That said, most of the wines don’t show it anywhere near as much as I had expected. In some cases, such as Moganazzi and Feudo di Mezzo, their balance falls off through the finish. Otherwise, the portfolio presents aromatic and dazzling wines in fine form, with a distinct sense of place. Terre Nere collectors should not hesitate, especially since production was down a whopping 30%.
2020 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana
Color: Red

Score: 94.0

Drinking window: 2025 - 2033

Tasting notes: The 2020 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana is youthfully coy in the glass, hinting at sweet violets, blackberries and crushed stone. It's a model of purity within, silky and enveloping, with elegant red and black fruits that swirl over a core of saline minerals and exotic spice. The 2020 finishes long and staining, with fine-grained tannins that pinch at the palate. Red plum and cinnamon hints echo throughout. The 2020 is a very Burgundian vintage of Calderara Sottana. 

Producer Commentary:
Terre Nerre’s 2020s are simply off the charts. These are some of the most exciting young wines I've ever tasted from the estate, mixing power and elegance in a way that I find wildly attractive. Marco de Grazia described 2020 as a see-saw vintage with repeated abundant rains and cool weather balanced by warm and dry conditions. The results were an extended harvest and fruit with higher-than-average acidity. That acidity lends the 2020s a more accessible feel, but make no mistake, they have depths of primary fruit and a structure that promises long evolution. Some will drink sooner than others, but all possess serious cellar potential. Two thousand and twenty-one was defined by vast fluctuations in temperature that offset ripening and drought throughout the season. While the grapes achieved physiological ripeness, the thickening of the skins and lack of juice in the berries made achieving balance challenging. That said, most of the wines don’t show it anywhere near as much as I had expected. In some cases, such as Moganazzi and Feudo di Mezzo, their balance falls off through the finish. Otherwise, the portfolio presents aromatic and dazzling wines in fine form, with a distinct sense of place. Terre Nere collectors should not hesitate, especially since production was down a whopping 30%.
2021 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana
Color: Red

Score: 94.0

Drinking window: 2025 - 2033

Tasting notes: From the moment the glass is tilted, the 2021 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana Vineyard shines through as crushed stones, ash and sweet smoke give way to vivid black cherries and autumnal spice. The 2021 Etna Rosso is elegant, silky and deeply textural, with salty mineral tones and gobs of red and black fruits, all perfectly maintained by a core of vibrant acidity. This is complex yet full of energy and sultry depths, tapering off saline and structured with grippy tannins that frame a lasting resonance of licorice and plums. These old vines handled the drought of the vintage beautifully, showing only in the grit of its tannins. Otherwise, the 2021 is pure magic.

Producer Commentary:
Terre Nerre’s 2020s are simply off the charts. These are some of the most exciting young wines I've ever tasted from the estate, mixing power and elegance in a way that I find wildly attractive. Marco de Grazia described 2020 as a see-saw vintage with repeated abundant rains and cool weather balanced by warm and dry conditions. The results were an extended harvest and fruit with higher-than-average acidity. That acidity lends the 2020s a more accessible feel, but make no mistake, they have depths of primary fruit and a structure that promises long evolution. Some will drink sooner than others, but all possess serious cellar potential. Two thousand and twenty-one was defined by vast fluctuations in temperature that offset ripening and drought throughout the season. While the grapes achieved physiological ripeness, the thickening of the skins and lack of juice in the berries made achieving balance challenging. That said, most of the wines don’t show it anywhere near as much as I had expected. In some cases, such as Moganazzi and Feudo di Mezzo, their balance falls off through the finish. Otherwise, the portfolio presents aromatic and dazzling wines in fine form, with a distinct sense of place. Terre Nere collectors should not hesitate, especially since production was down a whopping 30%.
2020 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito
Color: Red

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2024 - 2032

Tasting notes: Sweet autumnal spice, cedar shavings, cherry sauce and mint nuances make the 2020 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito impossible to ignore. This is a showboat, silky and refined, with pure red berry fruits and saline mineral tones that add a lovely traction toward the close. Zesty acidity provides a nice inner freshness as the 2020 tapers off spicy and extends with a tinge of fine tannins that promise many years of positive development. 

Producer Commentary:
Terre Nerre’s 2020s are simply off the charts. These are some of the most exciting young wines I've ever tasted from the estate, mixing power and elegance in a way that I find wildly attractive. Marco de Grazia described 2020 as a see-saw vintage with repeated abundant rains and cool weather balanced by warm and dry conditions. The results were an extended harvest and fruit with higher-than-average acidity. That acidity lends the 2020s a more accessible feel, but make no mistake, they have depths of primary fruit and a structure that promises long evolution. Some will drink sooner than others, but all possess serious cellar potential. Two thousand and twenty-one was defined by vast fluctuations in temperature that offset ripening and drought throughout the season. While the grapes achieved physiological ripeness, the thickening of the skins and lack of juice in the berries made achieving balance challenging. That said, most of the wines don’t show it anywhere near as much as I had expected. In some cases, such as Moganazzi and Feudo di Mezzo, their balance falls off through the finish. Otherwise, the portfolio presents aromatic and dazzling wines in fine form, with a distinct sense of place. Terre Nere collectors should not hesitate, especially since production was down a whopping 30%.
2020 Etna Rosso San Lorenzo
Color: Red

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2024 - 2030

Tasting notes: The 2020 Etna Rosso San Lorenzo is remarkably pretty, with a perfumed blend of roses and wild strawberries complicated by hints of rubbed sage. There's a lovely inner sweetness up front complemented by textures of pure silk. Energizing acidity propels its crisp red and blue fruits across the palate. Licorice, spice and a zesty twang of sour citrus define the finale, as the 2020 finishes with an abundance of energy and only lightly structured. There is simply so much pleasure to be found here already that it's hard to recommend waiting. There's no fear of losing a few bottles in the cellar. 

Producer Commentary:
Terre Nerre’s 2020s are simply off the charts. These are some of the most exciting young wines I've ever tasted from the estate, mixing power and elegance in a way that I find wildly attractive. Marco de Grazia described 2020 as a see-saw vintage with repeated abundant rains and cool weather balanced by warm and dry conditions. The results were an extended harvest and fruit with higher-than-average acidity. That acidity lends the 2020s a more accessible feel, but make no mistake, they have depths of primary fruit and a structure that promises long evolution. Some will drink sooner than others, but all possess serious cellar potential. Two thousand and twenty-one was defined by vast fluctuations in temperature that offset ripening and drought throughout the season. While the grapes achieved physiological ripeness, the thickening of the skins and lack of juice in the berries made achieving balance challenging. That said, most of the wines don’t show it anywhere near as much as I had expected. In some cases, such as Moganazzi and Feudo di Mezzo, their balance falls off through the finish. Otherwise, the portfolio presents aromatic and dazzling wines in fine form, with a distinct sense of place. Terre Nere collectors should not hesitate, especially since production was down a whopping 30%.
2021 Etna Rosso San Lorenzo
Color: Red

Score: 94.5

Drinking window: 2024 - 2031

Tasting notes: The 2021 Etna Rosso San Lorenzo seduces with its perfumed blend of roses, sour cherries, tangerine and a cinnamon dusting. This is pure elegance, lifted and refined, with dazzling acidity and a wave of pure mineral-tinged fruits that crackle and pop across the palate. It’s complex yet truly delicious and maintains marvelous energy, even as a web of fine-grained tannins reminds the taster of its youthful state. Even today, the 2021 San Lorenzo is dreamy and a total pleasure. That said, the future remains very bright. 

Producer Commentary:
Terre Nerre’s 2020s are simply off the charts. These are some of the most exciting young wines I've ever tasted from the estate, mixing power and elegance in a way that I find wildly attractive. Marco de Grazia described 2020 as a see-saw vintage with repeated abundant rains and cool weather balanced by warm and dry conditions. The results were an extended harvest and fruit with higher-than-average acidity. That acidity lends the 2020s a more accessible feel, but make no mistake, they have depths of primary fruit and a structure that promises long evolution. Some will drink sooner than others, but all possess serious cellar potential. Two thousand and twenty-one was defined by vast fluctuations in temperature that offset ripening and drought throughout the season. While the grapes achieved physiological ripeness, the thickening of the skins and lack of juice in the berries made achieving balance challenging. That said, most of the wines don’t show it anywhere near as much as I had expected. In some cases, such as Moganazzi and Feudo di Mezzo, their balance falls off through the finish. Otherwise, the portfolio presents aromatic and dazzling wines in fine form, with a distinct sense of place. Terre Nere collectors should not hesitate, especially since production was down a whopping 30%.
2021 Etna Rosso Prephylloxera La Vigna Di Don Peppino Calderara Sottana
Color: Red

Score: 95.0

Drinking window: 2026 - 2034

Tasting notes: The 2021 Etna Rosso Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino Calderara Sottana is something to behold. The color alone baffles the mind: a translucent ruby that misleads the taster to expect a delicate and lifted effort. This opens slowly in the glass, smoky and intense, evolving with ash and rosemary suggestions. A core of crushed wild berries and exotic spice comes to the fore. It’s deeply textural yet deceptively energetic, with silken waves of dark red fruit that wash across the palate, leaving a salty staining of minerals and savory herbs in their wake. A complex web of fine-grained tannins clamps down hard, balanced by a twang residual acidity, as inner florals and hints of tangerine slowly dissipate. Patience will be required.

Producer Commentary:
Terre Nerre’s 2020s are simply off the charts. These are some of the most exciting young wines I've ever tasted from the estate, mixing power and elegance in a way that I find wildly attractive. Marco de Grazia described 2020 as a see-saw vintage with repeated abundant rains and cool weather balanced by warm and dry conditions. The results were an extended harvest and fruit with higher-than-average acidity. That acidity lends the 2020s a more accessible feel, but make no mistake, they have depths of primary fruit and a structure that promises long evolution. Some will drink sooner than others, but all possess serious cellar potential. Two thousand and twenty-one was defined by vast fluctuations in temperature that offset ripening and drought throughout the season. While the grapes achieved physiological ripeness, the thickening of the skins and lack of juice in the berries made achieving balance challenging. That said, most of the wines don’t show it anywhere near as much as I had expected. In some cases, such as Moganazzi and Feudo di Mezzo, their balance falls off through the finish. Otherwise, the portfolio presents aromatic and dazzling wines in fine form, with a distinct sense of place. Terre Nere collectors should not hesitate, especially since production was down a whopping 30%.
2020 Etna Rosso Moganazzi
Color: Red

Score: 95.0

Drinking window: 2026 - 2035

Tasting notes: Dark and brooding in the glass, the 2020 Etna Rosso Moganazzi slowly evolves with a dusty blend of dried black cherries, camphor and earth tones. This is elegant and soothing on the palate, with velvety textures balanced by brisk acidity and tart wild berry fruits that slowly saturate toward the close. A beautiful blend of licorice and inner rose resonates over a web of fine-grained tannins. The 2020 finishes with tremendous length and is structured for the long haul. The Moganazzi is an unbridled beast in this vintage, and I can't wait to see what five or more years of cellaring will reveal.

Producer Commentary:
Terre Nerre’s 2020s are simply off the charts. These are some of the most exciting young wines I've ever tasted from the estate, mixing power and elegance in a way that I find wildly attractive. Marco de Grazia described 2020 as a see-saw vintage with repeated abundant rains and cool weather balanced by warm and dry conditions. The results were an extended harvest and fruit with higher-than-average acidity. That acidity lends the 2020s a more accessible feel, but make no mistake, they have depths of primary fruit and a structure that promises long evolution. Some will drink sooner than others, but all possess serious cellar potential. Two thousand and twenty-one was defined by vast fluctuations in temperature that offset ripening and drought throughout the season. While the grapes achieved physiological ripeness, the thickening of the skins and lack of juice in the berries made achieving balance challenging. That said, most of the wines don’t show it anywhere near as much as I had expected. In some cases, such as Moganazzi and Feudo di Mezzo, their balance falls off through the finish. Otherwise, the portfolio presents aromatic and dazzling wines in fine form, with a distinct sense of place. Terre Nere collectors should not hesitate, especially since production was down a whopping 30%.
2021 Etna Rosso Moganazzi
Color: Red

Score: 91.5

Drinking window: 2025 - 2031

Tasting notes: The 2021 Etna Rosso Moganazzi is quite delicate and coy. It slowly evolves with a nuanced blend of incense, dried roses and exotic citrus. This is supple, round and medium-bodied, with zesty acidity and a crystalline core of minerals that add traction as tart wild berry fruits slowly saturate. It finishes a bit short, yet impactful, leaving a bitter raspberry tinge and grippy tannins that tug the cheeks. The 2021 Moganazzi perplexes me because it’s undeniably elegant and understated in a way that I find widely attractive, yet the structured and light-hearted finish leaves me longing. For now, I remain conservative, but I also wouldn’t pass up the chance to add this to my cellar. One day, the 2021 may deserve a higher score.

Producer Commentary:
Terre Nerre’s 2020s are simply off the charts. These are some of the most exciting young wines I've ever tasted from the estate, mixing power and elegance in a way that I find wildly attractive. Marco de Grazia described 2020 as a see-saw vintage with repeated abundant rains and cool weather balanced by warm and dry conditions. The results were an extended harvest and fruit with higher-than-average acidity. That acidity lends the 2020s a more accessible feel, but make no mistake, they have depths of primary fruit and a structure that promises long evolution. Some will drink sooner than others, but all possess serious cellar potential. Two thousand and twenty-one was defined by vast fluctuations in temperature that offset ripening and drought throughout the season. While the grapes achieved physiological ripeness, the thickening of the skins and lack of juice in the berries made achieving balance challenging. That said, most of the wines don’t show it anywhere near as much as I had expected. In some cases, such as Moganazzi and Feudo di Mezzo, their balance falls off through the finish. Otherwise, the portfolio presents aromatic and dazzling wines in fine form, with a distinct sense of place. Terre Nere collectors should not hesitate, especially since production was down a whopping 30%.
2020 Etna Rosso Guardiola
Color: Red

Score: 95.0

Drinking window: 2026 - 2034

Tasting notes: The 2020 Etna Rosso Guardiola grumbles up with a mineral-inflected blend of ashen stones, black cherries and dried roses. It's silky, round and supple upon entry, yet quickly gains in tension. Tart wild berry fruits and saline tones are carried across a core of brisk acidity. Inner rose and nuances of sour citrus are left to linger as the Guardiola finishes structured and long, leaving a staining of licorice behind. Today, the 2020 is holding its power in reserve. This is a formidable vintage of Guardiola.

Producer Commentary:
Terre Nerre’s 2020s are simply off the charts. These are some of the most exciting young wines I've ever tasted from the estate, mixing power and elegance in a way that I find wildly attractive. Marco de Grazia described 2020 as a see-saw vintage with repeated abundant rains and cool weather balanced by warm and dry conditions. The results were an extended harvest and fruit with higher-than-average acidity. That acidity lends the 2020s a more accessible feel, but make no mistake, they have depths of primary fruit and a structure that promises long evolution. Some will drink sooner than others, but all possess serious cellar potential. Two thousand and twenty-one was defined by vast fluctuations in temperature that offset ripening and drought throughout the season. While the grapes achieved physiological ripeness, the thickening of the skins and lack of juice in the berries made achieving balance challenging. That said, most of the wines don’t show it anywhere near as much as I had expected. In some cases, such as Moganazzi and Feudo di Mezzo, their balance falls off through the finish. Otherwise, the portfolio presents aromatic and dazzling wines in fine form, with a distinct sense of place. Terre Nere collectors should not hesitate, especially since production was down a whopping 30%.
2021 Etna Rosso Guardiola
Color: Red

Score: 93.5

Drinking window: 2025 - 2033

Tasting notes: Depths of black cherry, clove, sage, rosemary and ashen stone make resisting the 2021 Etna Rosso Guardiola impossible. This is an especially lifted and mineral effort, with crisp raspberry and cranberry fruits that take on a crunchy sensation as they travel across the palate. Vibrant acidity maintains a lovely balance, cutting through the 2021’s silken textures like a hot knife through butter. This tapers off long, sinewy and structured, and yet the mouth is left watering for more.

Producer Commentary:
Terre Nerre’s 2020s are simply off the charts. These are some of the most exciting young wines I've ever tasted from the estate, mixing power and elegance in a way that I find wildly attractive. Marco de Grazia described 2020 as a see-saw vintage with repeated abundant rains and cool weather balanced by warm and dry conditions. The results were an extended harvest and fruit with higher-than-average acidity. That acidity lends the 2020s a more accessible feel, but make no mistake, they have depths of primary fruit and a structure that promises long evolution. Some will drink sooner than others, but all possess serious cellar potential. Two thousand and twenty-one was defined by vast fluctuations in temperature that offset ripening and drought throughout the season. While the grapes achieved physiological ripeness, the thickening of the skins and lack of juice in the berries made achieving balance challenging. That said, most of the wines don’t show it anywhere near as much as I had expected. In some cases, such as Moganazzi and Feudo di Mezzo, their balance falls off through the finish. Otherwise, the portfolio presents aromatic and dazzling wines in fine form, with a distinct sense of place. Terre Nere collectors should not hesitate, especially since production was down a whopping 30%.
2020 Etna Rosso Feudo Di Mezzo
Color: Red

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 2024 - 2030

Tasting notes: The 2020 Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo seduces with a vivid blend of black cherries and strawberries complemented by minty herbs and sweet smoke. Soft and enveloping, it washes easily across the palate, showing ripe red fruits and autumnal spice. Licorice and clove linger as the 2020 finishes long and lightly structured with a pleasantly chewy sensation that adds youthful poise. The 2020 is a beautiful Feudo di Mezzo with medium-term cellaring potential. 

Producer Commentary:
Terre Nerre’s 2020s are simply off the charts. These are some of the most exciting young wines I've ever tasted from the estate, mixing power and elegance in a way that I find wildly attractive. Marco de Grazia described 2020 as a see-saw vintage with repeated abundant rains and cool weather balanced by warm and dry conditions. The results were an extended harvest and fruit with higher-than-average acidity. That acidity lends the 2020s a more accessible feel, but make no mistake, they have depths of primary fruit and a structure that promises long evolution. Some will drink sooner than others, but all possess serious cellar potential. Two thousand and twenty-one was defined by vast fluctuations in temperature that offset ripening and drought throughout the season. While the grapes achieved physiological ripeness, the thickening of the skins and lack of juice in the berries made achieving balance challenging. That said, most of the wines don’t show it anywhere near as much as I had expected. In some cases, such as Moganazzi and Feudo di Mezzo, their balance falls off through the finish. Otherwise, the portfolio presents aromatic and dazzling wines in fine form, with a distinct sense of place. Terre Nere collectors should not hesitate, especially since production was down a whopping 30%.
2021 Etna Rosso Feudo Di Mezzo
Color: Red

Score: 90.0

Drinking window: 2025 - 2032

Tasting notes: Crushed rocks give way to wild strawberries, rosemary and pine as the 2021 Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo blossoms in the glass. This is a lifted and finessed effort, with tart wild berries and violet inner florals resonating over a steadily building tannic tension. The 2021 finishes with a massive staining of primary concentration and a web of fine tannins. It then quickly resolves, releasing the palate from its structured clench while gradually allowing licorice nuances to fade. The Feudo di Mezzo will require time to come into balance, yet its fruit may not be up to the task. For now, I remain conservative. 

Producer Commentary:
Terre Nerre’s 2020s are simply off the charts. These are some of the most exciting young wines I've ever tasted from the estate, mixing power and elegance in a way that I find wildly attractive. Marco de Grazia described 2020 as a see-saw vintage with repeated abundant rains and cool weather balanced by warm and dry conditions. The results were an extended harvest and fruit with higher-than-average acidity. That acidity lends the 2020s a more accessible feel, but make no mistake, they have depths of primary fruit and a structure that promises long evolution. Some will drink sooner than others, but all possess serious cellar potential. Two thousand and twenty-one was defined by vast fluctuations in temperature that offset ripening and drought throughout the season. While the grapes achieved physiological ripeness, the thickening of the skins and lack of juice in the berries made achieving balance challenging. That said, most of the wines don’t show it anywhere near as much as I had expected. In some cases, such as Moganazzi and Feudo di Mezzo, their balance falls off through the finish. Otherwise, the portfolio presents aromatic and dazzling wines in fine form, with a distinct sense of place. Terre Nere collectors should not hesitate, especially since production was down a whopping 30%.
2020 Etna Rosso Dagala Di Bocca D'orzo
Color: Red

Score: 95.0

Drinking window: 2024 - 2034

Tasting notes: Spicy burnt orange, incense, minty herbs and crushed raspberries form a beguiling bouquet as the 2020 Etna Rosso Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo blossoms in the glass. It's silky-smooth yet refined with crisp red fruits, licorice and sweet inner rose tones that resonate over a core of saline minerality. The 2020 finishes with a mentholated freshness, yet only lightly structured, leaving tart wild berries and lavender to mingle with a hint of sour citrus, as the mouth is left watering for more. This Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo aims to please, yet patience will still be required.

Producer Commentary:
Terre Nerre’s 2020s are simply off the charts. These are some of the most exciting young wines I've ever tasted from the estate, mixing power and elegance in a way that I find wildly attractive. Marco de Grazia described 2020 as a see-saw vintage with repeated abundant rains and cool weather balanced by warm and dry conditions. The results were an extended harvest and fruit with higher-than-average acidity. That acidity lends the 2020s a more accessible feel, but make no mistake, they have depths of primary fruit and a structure that promises long evolution. Some will drink sooner than others, but all possess serious cellar potential. Two thousand and twenty-one was defined by vast fluctuations in temperature that offset ripening and drought throughout the season. While the grapes achieved physiological ripeness, the thickening of the skins and lack of juice in the berries made achieving balance challenging. That said, most of the wines don’t show it anywhere near as much as I had expected. In some cases, such as Moganazzi and Feudo di Mezzo, their balance falls off through the finish. Otherwise, the portfolio presents aromatic and dazzling wines in fine form, with a distinct sense of place. Terre Nere collectors should not hesitate, especially since production was down a whopping 30%.
2021 Etna Rosso Dagala Di Bocca D'orzo
Color: Red

Score: 94.0

Drinking window: 2025 - 2034

Tasting notes: The 2021 Etna Rosso Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo unleashes a spice-box bouquet as dried orange peels, cloves, cardamom and anise give way to wild strawberries and mint. “Ethereal” is the word, as it flows across the palate like fine silk, slowly mounting with youthful tension as tart red berries and minerals slowly saturate. The 2021 finishes with a tannic crunch, yet long and potent, leaving a staining of primary concentration. Sour citrus and inner rose tones mingle through the dramatic finale.

Producer Commentary:
Terre Nerre’s 2020s are simply off the charts. These are some of the most exciting young wines I've ever tasted from the estate, mixing power and elegance in a way that I find wildly attractive. Marco de Grazia described 2020 as a see-saw vintage with repeated abundant rains and cool weather balanced by warm and dry conditions. The results were an extended harvest and fruit with higher-than-average acidity. That acidity lends the 2020s a more accessible feel, but make no mistake, they have depths of primary fruit and a structure that promises long evolution. Some will drink sooner than others, but all possess serious cellar potential. Two thousand and twenty-one was defined by vast fluctuations in temperature that offset ripening and drought throughout the season. While the grapes achieved physiological ripeness, the thickening of the skins and lack of juice in the berries made achieving balance challenging. That said, most of the wines don’t show it anywhere near as much as I had expected. In some cases, such as Moganazzi and Feudo di Mezzo, their balance falls off through the finish. Otherwise, the portfolio presents aromatic and dazzling wines in fine form, with a distinct sense of place. Terre Nere collectors should not hesitate, especially since production was down a whopping 30%.
2020 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana Prephylloxera La Vigna Di Don Peppino
Color: Red

Score: 96.0

Drinking window: 2024 - 2034

Tasting notes: Remarkably pretty and expressive from the first tilt of the glass, this is unlike any young La Vigna di Don Peppino I've ever encountered. The 2020 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana Prephylloxera emanates with an array of roses and lavender complemented by clove, allspice, incense and a core of bright cherry fruit. Pure elegance, simply stated, it washes across the palate like fine silk, youthfully dense yet energetic as well, with balsam-tinged red fruits and minerals. Spiced blood orange, plum and inner earth tones remain, along with a core of grippy tannins, yet through it all, a tinge of residual acidity maintains a lovely harmony. The 2020 is already so beautiful, yet still built for the cellar. I'd recommend checking in on a bottle upon release and watching the rest evolve over the next decade or more. 

Producer Commentary:
Terre Nerre’s 2020s are simply off the charts. These are some of the most exciting young wines I've ever tasted from the estate, mixing power and elegance in a way that I find wildly attractive. Marco de Grazia described 2020 as a see-saw vintage with repeated abundant rains and cool weather balanced by warm and dry conditions. The results were an extended harvest and fruit with higher-than-average acidity. That acidity lends the 2020s a more accessible feel, but make no mistake, they have depths of primary fruit and a structure that promises long evolution. Some will drink sooner than others, but all possess serious cellar potential. Two thousand and twenty-one was defined by vast fluctuations in temperature that offset ripening and drought throughout the season. While the grapes achieved physiological ripeness, the thickening of the skins and lack of juice in the berries made achieving balance challenging. That said, most of the wines don’t show it anywhere near as much as I had expected. In some cases, such as Moganazzi and Feudo di Mezzo, their balance falls off through the finish. Otherwise, the portfolio presents aromatic and dazzling wines in fine form, with a distinct sense of place. Terre Nere collectors should not hesitate, especially since production was down a whopping 30%.
2021 Etna Rosso
Color: Red

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 2024 - 2028

Tasting notes: Darkly floral and complex, the 2021 Etna Rosso opens in the glass with an alluring blend of dusty violets and lavender, giving way to sweet smoke and dried blueberries. This is silky-smooth and refined, with polished red fruits offset by sour citrus and a savory herbal flourish toward the close. The 2021 keeps the energy high, finishing crisp and lively with a cranberry crunch and cedary spice. The Rosso from Tenuta delle Terre Nere remains a great value for first-class Etna juice.

Producer Commentary:
Terre Nerre’s 2020s are simply off the charts. These are some of the most exciting young wines I've ever tasted from the estate, mixing power and elegance in a way that I find wildly attractive. Marco de Grazia described 2020 as a see-saw vintage with repeated abundant rains and cool weather balanced by warm and dry conditions. The results were an extended harvest and fruit with higher-than-average acidity. That acidity lends the 2020s a more accessible feel, but make no mistake, they have depths of primary fruit and a structure that promises long evolution. Some will drink sooner than others, but all possess serious cellar potential. Two thousand and twenty-one was defined by vast fluctuations in temperature that offset ripening and drought throughout the season. While the grapes achieved physiological ripeness, the thickening of the skins and lack of juice in the berries made achieving balance challenging. That said, most of the wines don’t show it anywhere near as much as I had expected. In some cases, such as Moganazzi and Feudo di Mezzo, their balance falls off through the finish. Otherwise, the portfolio presents aromatic and dazzling wines in fine form, with a distinct sense of place. Terre Nere collectors should not hesitate, especially since production was down a whopping 30%.
2021 Etna Bianco Le Vigne Niche Santo Spirito
Color: White

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 2023 - 2028

Tasting notes: The 2021 Etna Bianco Le Vigne Niche Santo Spirito opens slowly in the glass, hinting at baked apples and autumnal spice lifted by the suggestion of fresh mint. It's elegant and silky on the palate, seamless is the word, with ripe orchard fruits and lemon complicated by savory herbal tones. It finishes long and potent, seaming to melt away from the palate slowly with Asian pear and spice notes. 

Producer Commentary:
Terre Nerre’s 2020s are simply off the charts. These are some of the most exciting young wines I've ever tasted from the estate, mixing power and elegance in a way that I find wildly attractive. Marco de Grazia described 2020 as a see-saw vintage with repeated abundant rains and cool weather balanced by warm and dry conditions. The results were an extended harvest and fruit with higher-than-average acidity. That acidity lends the 2020s a more accessible feel, but make no mistake, they have depths of primary fruit and a structure that promises long evolution. Some will drink sooner than others, but all possess serious cellar potential. Two thousand and twenty-one was defined by vast fluctuations in temperature that offset ripening and drought throughout the season. While the grapes achieved physiological ripeness, the thickening of the skins and lack of juice in the berries made achieving balance challenging. That said, most of the wines don’t show it anywhere near as much as I had expected. In some cases, such as Moganazzi and Feudo di Mezzo, their balance falls off through the finish. Otherwise, the portfolio presents aromatic and dazzling wines in fine form, with a distinct sense of place. Terre Nere collectors should not hesitate, especially since production was down a whopping 30%.
2021 Etna Bianco Le Vigne Niche Calderara Sottana
Color: White

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2024 - 2028

Tasting notes: The 2021 Etna Bianco Le Vigne Niche Calderara Sottana is minerally intense, with a burst of crushed stone and oyster shells blowing off to reveal dried apricot and peach. This soothes with its silken textures and wave of ripe fruits as a steadily building saline tension saturates toward the close. Supremely elegant yet youthfully poised, the 2021 finishes lightly structured with hints of lemon oil and green apple that taper off slowly. 

Producer Commentary:
Terre Nerre’s 2020s are simply off the charts. These are some of the most exciting young wines I've ever tasted from the estate, mixing power and elegance in a way that I find wildly attractive. Marco de Grazia described 2020 as a see-saw vintage with repeated abundant rains and cool weather balanced by warm and dry conditions. The results were an extended harvest and fruit with higher-than-average acidity. That acidity lends the 2020s a more accessible feel, but make no mistake, they have depths of primary fruit and a structure that promises long evolution. Some will drink sooner than others, but all possess serious cellar potential. Two thousand and twenty-one was defined by vast fluctuations in temperature that offset ripening and drought throughout the season. While the grapes achieved physiological ripeness, the thickening of the skins and lack of juice in the berries made achieving balance challenging. That said, most of the wines don’t show it anywhere near as much as I had expected. In some cases, such as Moganazzi and Feudo di Mezzo, their balance falls off through the finish. Otherwise, the portfolio presents aromatic and dazzling wines in fine form, with a distinct sense of place. Terre Nere collectors should not hesitate, especially since production was down a whopping 30%.
2021 Etna Bianco
Color: White

Score: 90.0

Drinking window: 2023 - 2025

Tasting notes: The 2021 Etna Bianco opens with a perfumed blend of white flowers, crushed green apples and ginger. This is soft textured with a lovely inner sweetness and ripe orchard fruits that soothe the senses. It leaves a staining of minerality and zesty acids to mingle through the finish, providing a gentle grip and freshness. Terre Nere's Etan Bianco is one of the best values coming out of Sicily today. 

Producer Commentary:
Terre Nerre’s 2020s are simply off the charts. These are some of the most exciting young wines I've ever tasted from the estate, mixing power and elegance in a way that I find wildly attractive. Marco de Grazia described 2020 as a see-saw vintage with repeated abundant rains and cool weather balanced by warm and dry conditions. The results were an extended harvest and fruit with higher-than-average acidity. That acidity lends the 2020s a more accessible feel, but make no mistake, they have depths of primary fruit and a structure that promises long evolution. Some will drink sooner than others, but all possess serious cellar potential. Two thousand and twenty-one was defined by vast fluctuations in temperature that offset ripening and drought throughout the season. While the grapes achieved physiological ripeness, the thickening of the skins and lack of juice in the berries made achieving balance challenging. That said, most of the wines don’t show it anywhere near as much as I had expected. In some cases, such as Moganazzi and Feudo di Mezzo, their balance falls off through the finish. Otherwise, the portfolio presents aromatic and dazzling wines in fine form, with a distinct sense of place. Terre Nere collectors should not hesitate, especially since production was down a whopping 30%.
2022 Etna Bianco
Color: White

Score: 91.0

Drinking window: 2023 - 2026

Tasting notes: The 2022 Etna Bianco is smoky in the glass, exciting the senses with a burst of crushed rocks and raw almonds before giving way to citrus-stringed peach. It’s soothingly soft and enveloping with weighty textures lifted by vibrant acidity. Masses of mineral-laden orchard fruits and sweet spices collide on the palate. The 2022 finishes remarkably fresh yet grippy and long, leaving the mouth watering for more. The level of complexity here is off the charts for an entry-level Etna Bianco. Yum! 

Producer Commentary:
Terre Nerre’s 2020s are simply off the charts. These are some of the most exciting young wines I've ever tasted from the estate, mixing power and elegance in a way that I find wildly attractive. Marco de Grazia described 2020 as a see-saw vintage with repeated abundant rains and cool weather balanced by warm and dry conditions. The results were an extended harvest and fruit with higher-than-average acidity. That acidity lends the 2020s a more accessible feel, but make no mistake, they have depths of primary fruit and a structure that promises long evolution. Some will drink sooner than others, but all possess serious cellar potential. Two thousand and twenty-one was defined by vast fluctuations in temperature that offset ripening and drought throughout the season. While the grapes achieved physiological ripeness, the thickening of the skins and lack of juice in the berries made achieving balance challenging. That said, most of the wines don’t show it anywhere near as much as I had expected. In some cases, such as Moganazzi and Feudo di Mezzo, their balance falls off through the finish. Otherwise, the portfolio presents aromatic and dazzling wines in fine form, with a distinct sense of place. Terre Nere collectors should not hesitate, especially since production was down a whopping 30%.
2020 Etna Rosso
Color: Red

Score: 91.0

Drinking window: 2022 - 2025

Tasting notes: The 2020 Etna Rosso is remarkably pretty, finessed and floral in style, with dusty rose and licorice-tinged cherry berry fruits forming its bouquet. It’s silky in texture with a pure mix of red fruits and subtle inner spice, all nicely motivated by brisk acidity. The 2020 leaves a saline and citrus-derived tension through the finale, along with a subtle coating of fine tannins that communicate refinement and poise.

Producer Commentary:
Of note, the 2019 Rosso and 2020 Bianco Crus from Tenuta delle Terre Nere were included with the previous Sicily report as a database addition in November of 2021.
2019 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana Prephylloxera La Vigna Di Don Peppino
Color: Red

Score: 97.5

Drinking window: 2025 - 2039

Tasting notes: From the first tilt of the glass, you know that you’re in for a treat. The 2019 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino blossoms with a deep yet delicate display that transports you to a place somewhere between Gevrey and Mount Etna. A burst of fresh roses, cloves and allspice evolve further into notes of wild strawberry, wet pumice stone and hints of candle wax. Frankly, this bouquet alone is worth the price of entry. It glides along the palate, like pure silk slowly being draped across the senses, as a mix of tart wild berries and savory herbs gives way to purple-tinged inner florals and sweet spice. The word "ethereal" comes to mind. This leaves echoes of licorice to mix with currants and autumnal seasonings over a coating of rounded tannins that gently pinch at the cheek. The 2019 is the most glorious interpretation of the Vigna di Don Peppino that I’ve had the pleasure of tasting. It’s sourced from 140+ year-old prephylloxera vines planted in black stone soils from within the Calderara Sottana cru. Simply breathtaking. 

Producer Commentary:
The 2019s from Terre Nere are aromatically expressive, radiant and supple on the palate, as well as classically structured. The best part is that you could almost trick yourself into thinking that the majority of them are ready to drink; that is until you are up to your second glass into a bottle when your palate tells you that those fine tannins are building a structural fortification that will carry these for over a decade in the cellar. Another huge benefit to this portfolio is the ability to explore the diverse terroir of Mount Etna, as each of the reds are produced almost exactly the same in the winery, with spontaneous fermentations followed by 16-18 months of refinement in a combination of barriques and tonneaux. This year’s tastings included two total show-stopping performances from the San Lorenzo and Calderara Sottana vineyards (La Vigna di Don Peppino), as well as one of the most seductive renditions I’ve yet witnessed of Santo Spirito, plus a new wine (from similar soils and location as San Lorenzo, but only .8 hectares of vines), the head-spinning Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo. On a different note, we have the 2020 Biancos, which have the unfortunate duty of following the 2019s that were released last year. The whites are quite pretty, refined and mineral in style, with Calderara Sottana edging out above the others. Another wine of note is the Bianco Montalto, now in its second vintage, and from the southern slopes of Mount Etna - which is not considered to be the best place to source Carricante, yet apparently both Terre Nere and the team from Idda (Gaja and Graci) seem to think otherwise - and the wines are pretty fantastic.
2019 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana
Color: Red

Score: 94.0

Drinking window: 2024 - 2034

Tasting notes: The 2019 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana slowly blossoms in the glass, unfurling with a layered and deep display of black cherries, licorice camphor and pine. Further swirling unlocks balsam herbs, plum sauce and dusty rose. It rushes the palate with a wave of silken textures, filling the senses with red currants, blueberry and hints of candied citrus. Fine tannins emerge through the finale, previously masked by ripe inner fruits, making for a lightly structured finish. A salty flourish gives way to hints of graphite and black licorice that linger on and on. While I’m accustomed to Calderara Sottana being one of the more structured and backward wines from the Terre Nere portfolio, the 2019 possesses an early appeal that I find quite attractive. That said, there’s an underlying power here that only cellaring will unlock.

Producer Commentary:
The 2019s from Terre Nere are aromatically expressive, radiant and supple on the palate, as well as classically structured. The best part is that you could almost trick yourself into thinking that the majority of them are ready to drink; that is until you are up to your second glass into a bottle when your palate tells you that those fine tannins are building a structural fortification that will carry these for over a decade in the cellar. Another huge benefit to this portfolio is the ability to explore the diverse terroir of Mount Etna, as each of the reds are produced almost exactly the same in the winery, with spontaneous fermentations followed by 16-18 months of refinement in a combination of barriques and tonneaux. This year’s tastings included two total show-stopping performances from the San Lorenzo and Calderara Sottana vineyards (La Vigna di Don Peppino), as well as one of the most seductive renditions I’ve yet witnessed of Santo Spirito, plus a new wine (from similar soils and location as San Lorenzo, but only .8 hectares of vines), the head-spinning Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo. On a different note, we have the 2020 Biancos, which have the unfortunate duty of following the 2019s that were released last year. The whites are quite pretty, refined and mineral in style, with Calderara Sottana edging out above the others. Another wine of note is the Bianco Montalto, now in its second vintage, and from the southern slopes of Mount Etna - which is not considered to be the best place to source Carricante, yet apparently both Terre Nere and the team from Idda (Gaja and Graci) seem to think otherwise - and the wines are pretty fantastic.
2019 Etna Rosso San Lorenzo
Color: Red

Score: 95.0

Drinking window: 2023 - 2032

Tasting notes: Undeniably elegant and remarkably pretty, the 2019 Etna Rosso San Lorenzo is the understated beauty of the Terre Nere portfolio. An inviting bouquet of dried roses and smoke gives way to crushed cherries, plums and hints of clove. This washes across the palate with the silkiest of textures, ushering in ripe red and hints of blue fruit under an air of violet flowers, lavender and spice. It tapers off persistently, only lightly structured, and with a balanced inner sweetness that combines to create a total sense of harmony. Frankly, it’s hard to put this glass down. This is only the fifth vintage of San Lorenzo from Terre Nere’s parcels in Randazzo, and it is easily the best one yet. The San Lorenzo comes from a rare terroir that exists on a veritable island of deep, ancient Ellittico soils that were spared from the more recent volcanic activity (as in the last few thousand years) on Etna. The 2019 is not to be missed!

Producer Commentary:
The 2019s from Terre Nere are aromatically expressive, radiant and supple on the palate, as well as classically structured. The best part is that you could almost trick yourself into thinking that the majority of them are ready to drink; that is until you are up to your second glass into a bottle when your palate tells you that those fine tannins are building a structural fortification that will carry these for over a decade in the cellar. Another huge benefit to this portfolio is the ability to explore the diverse terroir of Mount Etna, as each of the reds are produced almost exactly the same in the winery, with spontaneous fermentations followed by 16-18 months of refinement in a combination of barriques and tonneaux. This year’s tastings included two total show-stopping performances from the San Lorenzo and Calderara Sottana vineyards (La Vigna di Don Peppino), as well as one of the most seductive renditions I’ve yet witnessed of Santo Spirito, plus a new wine (from similar soils and location as San Lorenzo, but only .8 hectares of vines), the head-spinning Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo. On a different note, we have the 2020 Biancos, which have the unfortunate duty of following the 2019s that were released last year. The whites are quite pretty, refined and mineral in style, with Calderara Sottana edging out above the others. Another wine of note is the Bianco Montalto, now in its second vintage, and from the southern slopes of Mount Etna - which is not considered to be the best place to source Carricante, yet apparently both Terre Nere and the team from Idda (Gaja and Graci) seem to think otherwise - and the wines are pretty fantastic.
2019 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito
Color: Red

Score: 94.0

Drinking window: 2023 - 2030

Tasting notes: A seductive array of wild strawberries and black cherries combine with autumnal spices, frankincense and minty herbs as the 2019 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito comes to life in the glass. I’ve never witnessed such a blending of rich, primary, ripe red fruits and fleshy textures from this vineyard in the past, yet balance is kept expertly in check through a core of vibrant acidity. This leans toward the savory spectrum through the finale, as plum sauce and inner rose resonate over a coating of sweet tannin. It gets an official “wow” in my book, as with only a short stay in the cellar, you can expect the 2019 to be a drop-dead gorgeous rendition of Terre Nere’s Santo Spirito.

Producer Commentary:
The 2019s from Terre Nere are aromatically expressive, radiant and supple on the palate, as well as classically structured. The best part is that you could almost trick yourself into thinking that the majority of them are ready to drink; that is until you are up to your second glass into a bottle when your palate tells you that those fine tannins are building a structural fortification that will carry these for over a decade in the cellar. Another huge benefit to this portfolio is the ability to explore the diverse terroir of Mount Etna, as each of the reds are produced almost exactly the same in the winery, with spontaneous fermentations followed by 16-18 months of refinement in a combination of barriques and tonneaux. This year’s tastings included two total show-stopping performances from the San Lorenzo and Calderara Sottana vineyards (La Vigna di Don Peppino), as well as one of the most seductive renditions I’ve yet witnessed of Santo Spirito, plus a new wine (from similar soils and location as San Lorenzo, but only .8 hectares of vines), the head-spinning Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo. On a different note, we have the 2020 Biancos, which have the unfortunate duty of following the 2019s that were released last year. The whites are quite pretty, refined and mineral in style, with Calderara Sottana edging out above the others. Another wine of note is the Bianco Montalto, now in its second vintage, and from the southern slopes of Mount Etna - which is not considered to be the best place to source Carricante, yet apparently both Terre Nere and the team from Idda (Gaja and Graci) seem to think otherwise - and the wines are pretty fantastic.
2020 Etna Bianco Le Vigne Niche Montalto
Color: White

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 2022 - 2028

Tasting notes: The 2020 Etna Bianco Le Vigne Niche-Montalto lifts up with unexpected depths and richness, showing young mango and lemon oils mixed with dusty dried flowers, underbrush and gingery spice. Its silky textures wash across the palate, with a soothing mix of ripe apple and pear that give way to savory herbal tones and hints of raw almond toward the close. This tapers off with a salty tinge and is incredibly fresh, leaving behind notes of green melon and stony mineral tones. The Montalto is sourced from vines on the southern slopes of Etna between 900 to 975 meters in elevation, planted in soils of deep volcanic ash. 

Producer Commentary:
The 2019s from Terre Nere are aromatically expressive, radiant and supple on the palate, as well as classically structured. The best part is that you could almost trick yourself into thinking that the majority of them are ready to drink; that is until you are up to your second glass into a bottle when your palate tells you that those fine tannins are building a structural fortification that will carry these for over a decade in the cellar. Another huge benefit to this portfolio is the ability to explore the diverse terroir of Mount Etna, as each of the reds are produced almost exactly the same in the winery, with spontaneous fermentations followed by 16-18 months of refinement in a combination of barriques and tonneaux. This year’s tastings included two total show-stopping performances from the San Lorenzo and Calderara Sottana vineyards (La Vigna di Don Peppino), as well as one of the most seductive renditions I’ve yet witnessed of Santo Spirito, plus a new wine (from similar soils and location as San Lorenzo, but only .8 hectares of vines), the head-spinning Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo. On a different note, we have the 2020 Biancos, which have the unfortunate duty of following the 2019s that were released last year. The whites are quite pretty, refined and mineral in style, with Calderara Sottana edging out above the others. Another wine of note is the Bianco Montalto, now in its second vintage, and from the southern slopes of Mount Etna - which is not considered to be the best place to source Carricante, yet apparently both Terre Nere and the team from Idda (Gaja and Graci) seem to think otherwise - and the wines are pretty fantastic.
2019 Etna Rosso Dagala Di Bocca D'orzo
Color: Red

Score: 96.0

Drinking window: 2024 - 2036

Tasting notes: With a vivid display of rose hips, sage, crushed pomegranates, cinnamon, clove and white smoke, the 2019 Etna Rosso Dagala di Bocca D'Orzo makes itself known. This grows in both volume and depth the longer it sits in the glass. At one moment, it’s a sweetly scented whisper of dusty violets, and at another, a boisterous and savory burst of wild herbs. It’s deeply textural, almost glycerol-like in feel, yet in perfect balance, as silky textures flow across the palate with a polished display of red berries and spices. While structured and firm, the 2019 tapers off with remarkable freshness, but also length, leaving rosy florals and hints of plum to linger on. Terre Nere made just 800 bottles of this absolutely stunning expression of Etna terroir. The Dagala di Bocca D'Orzo hails from Randazzo on the north side of the volcano, from seventy-year-old vines planted at 800 meters in soils of deep volcanic ash and pebbles.

Producer Commentary:
The 2019s from Terre Nere are aromatically expressive, radiant and supple on the palate, as well as classically structured. The best part is that you could almost trick yourself into thinking that the majority of them are ready to drink; that is until you are up to your second glass into a bottle when your palate tells you that those fine tannins are building a structural fortification that will carry these for over a decade in the cellar. Another huge benefit to this portfolio is the ability to explore the diverse terroir of Mount Etna, as each of the reds are produced almost exactly the same in the winery, with spontaneous fermentations followed by 16-18 months of refinement in a combination of barriques and tonneaux. This year’s tastings included two total show-stopping performances from the San Lorenzo and Calderara Sottana vineyards (La Vigna di Don Peppino), as well as one of the most seductive renditions I’ve yet witnessed of Santo Spirito, plus a new wine (from similar soils and location as San Lorenzo, but only .8 hectares of vines), the head-spinning Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo. On a different note, we have the 2020 Biancos, which have the unfortunate duty of following the 2019s that were released last year. The whites are quite pretty, refined and mineral in style, with Calderara Sottana edging out above the others. Another wine of note is the Bianco Montalto, now in its second vintage, and from the southern slopes of Mount Etna - which is not considered to be the best place to source Carricante, yet apparently both Terre Nere and the team from Idda (Gaja and Graci) seem to think otherwise - and the wines are pretty fantastic.
2019 Etna Rosso Moganazzi
Color: Red

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 2024 - 2032

Tasting notes: The 2019 Etna Rosso Moganazzi is spicy and intense, blasting up from the glass with crushed ashen stone, red currants, wild strawberries, sage and hints of cedar. It’s rich and pliant upon entry, yet quickly firms up through a mix of mineral-tinged berries, brisk acids and grippy tannins that arrive quite early and hold firm. That said, there is plenty of primary fruit and depth to balance, as it tapers off structured and long, leaving hints of licorice and inner rose to linger. This is only the third vintage of Moganazzi, which comes from steeply terraced 80-year-old vines at 650 meters on the north side of Etna. 

Producer Commentary:
The 2019s from Terre Nere are aromatically expressive, radiant and supple on the palate, as well as classically structured. The best part is that you could almost trick yourself into thinking that the majority of them are ready to drink; that is until you are up to your second glass into a bottle when your palate tells you that those fine tannins are building a structural fortification that will carry these for over a decade in the cellar. Another huge benefit to this portfolio is the ability to explore the diverse terroir of Mount Etna, as each of the reds are produced almost exactly the same in the winery, with spontaneous fermentations followed by 16-18 months of refinement in a combination of barriques and tonneaux. This year’s tastings included two total show-stopping performances from the San Lorenzo and Calderara Sottana vineyards (La Vigna di Don Peppino), as well as one of the most seductive renditions I’ve yet witnessed of Santo Spirito, plus a new wine (from similar soils and location as San Lorenzo, but only .8 hectares of vines), the head-spinning Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo. On a different note, we have the 2020 Biancos, which have the unfortunate duty of following the 2019s that were released last year. The whites are quite pretty, refined and mineral in style, with Calderara Sottana edging out above the others. Another wine of note is the Bianco Montalto, now in its second vintage, and from the southern slopes of Mount Etna - which is not considered to be the best place to source Carricante, yet apparently both Terre Nere and the team from Idda (Gaja and Graci) seem to think otherwise - and the wines are pretty fantastic.
2019 Etna Rosso Guardiola
Color: Red

Score: 95.0

Drinking window: 2024 - 2034

Tasting notes: A beguiling display of spiced blood orange, balsam herbs, sour cherries, ashen stone and cedar keeps you coming back to the 2019 Etna Rosso Guardiola over and over again. It’s silky and polished in feel, with salty minerals up front that give way to tart red currants offset by a subtle tinge of grapefruit. This leaves a saturating coating of primary concentration through the structured finale, where fine-grained tannins hold the expression firm. The 2019 Guardiola will need time to show its best, yet it has all of the components to mature into a wonderful expression of old-vine Nerello Mascalese from the higher elevations of Month Etna.

Producer Commentary:
The 2019s from Terre Nere are aromatically expressive, radiant and supple on the palate, as well as classically structured. The best part is that you could almost trick yourself into thinking that the majority of them are ready to drink; that is until you are up to your second glass into a bottle when your palate tells you that those fine tannins are building a structural fortification that will carry these for over a decade in the cellar. Another huge benefit to this portfolio is the ability to explore the diverse terroir of Mount Etna, as each of the reds are produced almost exactly the same in the winery, with spontaneous fermentations followed by 16-18 months of refinement in a combination of barriques and tonneaux. This year’s tastings included two total show-stopping performances from the San Lorenzo and Calderara Sottana vineyards (La Vigna di Don Peppino), as well as one of the most seductive renditions I’ve yet witnessed of Santo Spirito, plus a new wine (from similar soils and location as San Lorenzo, but only .8 hectares of vines), the head-spinning Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo. On a different note, we have the 2020 Biancos, which have the unfortunate duty of following the 2019s that were released last year. The whites are quite pretty, refined and mineral in style, with Calderara Sottana edging out above the others. Another wine of note is the Bianco Montalto, now in its second vintage, and from the southern slopes of Mount Etna - which is not considered to be the best place to source Carricante, yet apparently both Terre Nere and the team from Idda (Gaja and Graci) seem to think otherwise - and the wines are pretty fantastic.
2019 Etna Rosso Feudo Di Mezzo
Color: Red

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2023 - 2031

Tasting notes: The 2019 Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo impresses with a dark and rich bouquet that pulls you close with notes of sugar-dusted plums, cloves, spiced citrus peels and hints of pine. It fleshes out across the palate with a salty mix of red berries and wild herbs, more lifted than anticipated yet potent. Grippy tannins mount toward the close. For all of its underlying power, the 2019 tapers off amazingly fresh, yet also structured, with a mix of inner violet and rose. Feudo di Mezzo combines both vivid fruit and the vertical build for a long and steady maturation. 

Producer Commentary:
The 2019s from Terre Nere are aromatically expressive, radiant and supple on the palate, as well as classically structured. The best part is that you could almost trick yourself into thinking that the majority of them are ready to drink; that is until you are up to your second glass into a bottle when your palate tells you that those fine tannins are building a structural fortification that will carry these for over a decade in the cellar. Another huge benefit to this portfolio is the ability to explore the diverse terroir of Mount Etna, as each of the reds are produced almost exactly the same in the winery, with spontaneous fermentations followed by 16-18 months of refinement in a combination of barriques and tonneaux. This year’s tastings included two total show-stopping performances from the San Lorenzo and Calderara Sottana vineyards (La Vigna di Don Peppino), as well as one of the most seductive renditions I’ve yet witnessed of Santo Spirito, plus a new wine (from similar soils and location as San Lorenzo, but only .8 hectares of vines), the head-spinning Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo. On a different note, we have the 2020 Biancos, which have the unfortunate duty of following the 2019s that were released last year. The whites are quite pretty, refined and mineral in style, with Calderara Sottana edging out above the others. Another wine of note is the Bianco Montalto, now in its second vintage, and from the southern slopes of Mount Etna - which is not considered to be the best place to source Carricante, yet apparently both Terre Nere and the team from Idda (Gaja and Graci) seem to think otherwise - and the wines are pretty fantastic.
2020 Etna Bianco Le Vigne Niche Santo Spirito
Color: White

Score: 91.0

Drinking window: 2023 - 2028

Tasting notes: Crushed almonds and hazelnuts give way to young peach, yellow apples and hints of fresh ginger as the 2020 Etna Bianco Le Vigne Niche-Santo Spirito unfolds in the glass. This is a soft and round expression, with mineral-tinged stone fruits and inner herbal tones offset by a twang of green citrus toward the close. It’s structured and poised through the finale, also quite salty, which keeps the mouth watering for more. 

Producer Commentary:
The 2019s from Terre Nere are aromatically expressive, radiant and supple on the palate, as well as classically structured. The best part is that you could almost trick yourself into thinking that the majority of them are ready to drink; that is until you are up to your second glass into a bottle when your palate tells you that those fine tannins are building a structural fortification that will carry these for over a decade in the cellar. Another huge benefit to this portfolio is the ability to explore the diverse terroir of Mount Etna, as each of the reds are produced almost exactly the same in the winery, with spontaneous fermentations followed by 16-18 months of refinement in a combination of barriques and tonneaux. This year’s tastings included two total show-stopping performances from the San Lorenzo and Calderara Sottana vineyards (La Vigna di Don Peppino), as well as one of the most seductive renditions I’ve yet witnessed of Santo Spirito, plus a new wine (from similar soils and location as San Lorenzo, but only .8 hectares of vines), the head-spinning Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo. On a different note, we have the 2020 Biancos, which have the unfortunate duty of following the 2019s that were released last year. The whites are quite pretty, refined and mineral in style, with Calderara Sottana edging out above the others. Another wine of note is the Bianco Montalto, now in its second vintage, and from the southern slopes of Mount Etna - which is not considered to be the best place to source Carricante, yet apparently both Terre Nere and the team from Idda (Gaja and Graci) seem to think otherwise - and the wines are pretty fantastic.
2020 Etna Bianco Le Vigne Niche Calderara Sottana
Color: White

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2023 - 2030

Tasting notes: The 2020 Etna Bianco Le Vigne Niche-Calderara Sottana is deep and intense. It blossoms slowly with a display of dusty yellow flowers, incense, crushed apples and savory spice. The wine enters the palate with prominent weight and textural girth, offset by brisk acids and salty minerals that give way to ripe orchard fruits and a spicy twist of lime. A coating of primary concentration lingers remarkably long through the structured finale, where hints of chalk dust and custards mingle. As is usually the case, the Calderara Sottana Bianco needs some time to integrate and unwind. 

Producer Commentary:
The 2019s from Terre Nere are aromatically expressive, radiant and supple on the palate, as well as classically structured. The best part is that you could almost trick yourself into thinking that the majority of them are ready to drink; that is until you are up to your second glass into a bottle when your palate tells you that those fine tannins are building a structural fortification that will carry these for over a decade in the cellar. Another huge benefit to this portfolio is the ability to explore the diverse terroir of Mount Etna, as each of the reds are produced almost exactly the same in the winery, with spontaneous fermentations followed by 16-18 months of refinement in a combination of barriques and tonneaux. This year’s tastings included two total show-stopping performances from the San Lorenzo and Calderara Sottana vineyards (La Vigna di Don Peppino), as well as one of the most seductive renditions I’ve yet witnessed of Santo Spirito, plus a new wine (from similar soils and location as San Lorenzo, but only .8 hectares of vines), the head-spinning Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo. On a different note, we have the 2020 Biancos, which have the unfortunate duty of following the 2019s that were released last year. The whites are quite pretty, refined and mineral in style, with Calderara Sottana edging out above the others. Another wine of note is the Bianco Montalto, now in its second vintage, and from the southern slopes of Mount Etna - which is not considered to be the best place to source Carricante, yet apparently both Terre Nere and the team from Idda (Gaja and Graci) seem to think otherwise - and the wines are pretty fantastic.
2020 Etna Bianco Superiore Le Vigne Niche
Color: White

Score: 91.0

Drinking window: 2023 - 2026

Tasting notes: Young peach and pear combine with raw almond and delicate florals as the 2020 Etna Bianco Superiore Le Vigne Niche blossoms slowly in the glass. This soothes with its silky textures, yet leans more toward the savory spectrum, as mineral-tinged orchard fruits and herbal tones cascade across a salty core of brisk acids. It leaves a subtle tug of lemon oils and melon, while tapering off clean and poised.

Producer Commentary:
The 2019s from Terre Nere are aromatically expressive, radiant and supple on the palate, as well as classically structured. The best part is that you could almost trick yourself into thinking that the majority of them are ready to drink; that is until you are up to your second glass into a bottle when your palate tells you that those fine tannins are building a structural fortification that will carry these for over a decade in the cellar. Another huge benefit to this portfolio is the ability to explore the diverse terroir of Mount Etna, as each of the reds are produced almost exactly the same in the winery, with spontaneous fermentations followed by 16-18 months of refinement in a combination of barriques and tonneaux. This year’s tastings included two total show-stopping performances from the San Lorenzo and Calderara Sottana vineyards (La Vigna di Don Peppino), as well as one of the most seductive renditions I’ve yet witnessed of Santo Spirito, plus a new wine (from similar soils and location as San Lorenzo, but only .8 hectares of vines), the head-spinning Dagala di Bocca d'Orzo. On a different note, we have the 2020 Biancos, which have the unfortunate duty of following the 2019s that were released last year. The whites are quite pretty, refined and mineral in style, with Calderara Sottana edging out above the others. Another wine of note is the Bianco Montalto, now in its second vintage, and from the southern slopes of Mount Etna - which is not considered to be the best place to source Carricante, yet apparently both Terre Nere and the team from Idda (Gaja and Graci) seem to think otherwise - and the wines are pretty fantastic.
2008 Etna Rosso Feudo Di Mezzo Il Quadro Delle Rose
Color: Red

Score: 94.0

Drinking window: 2021 - 2030

Tasting notes: Vivid cherry-berry and sweet spice give way to a more autumnal display of cloves, cinnamon, sage and a lifting whiff of mentholated herbs as Terre Nere’s 2008 Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo Il Quadro delle Rose comes to life in the glass. It's been ten years since I last tasted this beauty, which at that time was a wall of tannin; but today, the 2008 is velvety, deep and elegant, with ripe red woodland berries and minerals offset by sour citrus under a gorgeous air of inner rose. The color is an impenetrable deep ruby, without a single sign of maturity. You can still perceive a coating of fine tannin through the finale, but now more of an accent than an obstacle, as the 2008 finishes gracefully and pure, resonating on notes of dried strawberries, red currants and hints of leather. This is what a mature Etna Rosso should strive to be. 

Producer Commentary:
2007 Rosato Etna Sicilia
Color: Rosé

Score: 90.0

Drinking window: 0 - 0

Tasting notes: Very pretty pale pink. Intense aromas of dried wild strawberry, dried herbs and almond are sharpened by a vibrant mineral quality. Fresh and tangy, with noteworthy complexity to its strawberry, marzipan and mineral flavors. A remarkably fine-grained rose with deceptive concentration and harmonious acidity giving it laser-like precision on the long finish. Simply put, one of the best roses made in Italy this year and one that can duke it out with the world's best.

Producer Commentary:
2009 Rosato Etna Sicilia
Color: Rosé

Score: 87.0

Drinking window: 0 - 0

Tasting notes: Light red. Delicate red fruit aromas of redcurrant and sour red cherry, orange peel and minerals. Fruity and accessible, with mineral-driven red berry flavors of only modest complexity and length. Easygoing, simple wine, noticeably less rich and complex than the single-vineyard bottlings.

Producer Commentary:
Also recommended: 2009 Etna Rosato (86). (A Marc de Grazia Selection; importers include Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY and Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael, CA; Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville, Illinois)
2010 Rosato Etna Sicilia
Color: Rosé

Score: 89.0

Drinking window: 0 - 0

Tasting notes: Very pale orange-pink. High-pitched aromas of redcurrant, orange zest, honeysuckle and minerals. Racy and incisive, offering surprisingly concentrated red fruit and citrus pith flavors underscored by chalky minerality. Finishes dry and focused, with orange and mineral notes. I like this wine's cut.

Producer Commentary:
2012 Rosato Etna Sicilia
Color: Rosé

Score: 88.0

Drinking window: 0 - 0

Tasting notes: (100% nerello mascalese): Pale orange. Racy, sharply focused aromas of redcurrant and blood orange. Dry and mineral-driven, offering piercing citrus, white pepper and herb flavors along with a hint of licorice. Then sweeter on the finish, showing notes of raspberry and blood orange.

Producer Commentary:
2013 Rosato Etna Sicilia
Color: Rosé

Score: 89.0

Drinking window: 0 - 0

Tasting notes: (100% nerello mascalese): Light orange-pink. Spice- and mineral-laced citrus fruit and red berry aromas show good clarity and a subtle floral nuance. Dry and sharply focused, displaying good heft to its bitter cherry and blood orange flavors. Finishes clean and tangy, with lingering pepper and spice notes

Producer Commentary:
2006 Feudo Di Mezzo Il Quadro Delle Rosé Etna Rosso
Color: Red

Score: 96.0

Drinking window: 0 - 0

Tasting notes: Dark red, the deepest colored of the wines in this line-up. Deep but closed nose of outstanding complexity, suggesting intense, ripe red cherry, black pepper, thyme, minerals, lavender and smoke. Seamless and compelling on the palate, with amazing purity to its red cherry, tobacco, cedar and mineral flavors. Finishes with outstanding palate-staining length. This has to be one of the ten best wines of the year in Italy, and will probably live longer than you or I.

Producer Commentary:
2008 Feudo Di Mezzo Etna Rosso Le Vigne Di Eli
Color: Red

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 0 - 0

Tasting notes: Bright, full red. Deep, pure, precise aromas of balsamic red cherries, cough drop and candied violet. Creamier and sweeter in the mid-palate than the Moganazzi-Volta bottling, with flavors of red cherry, aromatic herbs and balsamic vinegar. Clean and pure on the persistent, smooth finish, which shows a lovely light touch. This very appealing wine is already delicious but has the potential to age.

Producer Commentary:
Also recommended: 2009 Etna Rosato (86). (A Marc de Grazia Selection; importers include Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY and Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael, CA; Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville, Illinois)
2018 Rosato (Etna)
Color: Rosé

Score: 91.0

Drinking window: 2019 - 2021

Tasting notes: Ultra pale onion-peel pink. Herbs, almond paste, fresh flowers and cherry skin on the fresh nose. Then bright and juicy in the mouth too, with a subtle gingery bite to the red fruit and herb flavors. Closes long and saline.

Producer Commentary:
2015 Rosato (Etna)
Color: Rosé

Score: 91.0

Drinking window: 2017 - 2019

Tasting notes: Vivid orange-tinged onion peel color. Deep aromas of flowers, minerals, red berries and botanical herbs. Rich dense and suave, with noteworthy concentration and complexity to the red berry and botanical herb flavors. Finishes long with a welcome juicy mineral tang. Lovely, serious rosato. A blend of Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Mantellato.

Producer Commentary:
2006 Prephylloxera Le Vigne Di Don Peppino
Color: Red

Score: 95.0

Drinking window: 2013 - 2022

Tasting notes: As the name implies the The 2006 Prephylloxera Le Vigne di Don Peppino is made from pre-phylloxera vines. The wine seems to bring together all of the elements of the previous wines. Sweet, perfumed aromatics meld into an explosive palate of dark fruit intermingled with scents of tar, black cherries, toasted oak and minerals. This impressive old-vine Nerello Mascalese possesses striking depth and clarity in a sumptuous, full-bodied style. Simply put, this incredible wine is one of the finest reds being made in Sicily today. 

Producer Commentary:
This lineup from Tenuta delle Terre Nere is one of the most impressive I tasted. Brothers Marc and Iano De Grazia seem to be hitting their stride with these new releases. The wines show great balance and tons of expressiveness, something that is enhanced by an enlightened use of French oak.
2006 La Vigna Di Don Peppino Prephylloxera Etna Rosso Sicilia
Color: Red

Score: 95.0

Drinking window: 0 - 0

Tasting notes: Bright medium ruby-red, less dark than the Feudo di Mezzo. Wonderfully scented nose of red cherry, rose petal and minerals, with a tantalizing note of creamy cherry cola and a strong mineral quality; more mineral-driven and less oaky on the nose than the Feudo di Mezzo. The palate offers almost Burgundian red fruit flavors, with a juicy, sappy character and a nutty quality building on the back end and lingering impressively. A simply fantastic wine and one I struggled long and hard to score: it's as good as, though quite different from, the Feudo di Mezzo, and both rank among Italy's top wines of the year. Really remarkable stuff-and my score may prove to be stingy.

Producer Commentary:
2008 La Vigna Di Don Peppino Prephylloxera Etna Rosso Sicilia
Color: Red

Score: 94.5

Drinking window: 0 - 0

Tasting notes: Good, full ruby-red. Some superripe notes of roasted redcurrant and balsamic plum on the nose are nicely lifted by sour red cherry and a light floral element. Creamy and sweet, with sound acids giving freshness to the very rich, almost liqueur-like red fruit flavors. The wine's firm tannins and acids have not yet harmonized, giving the finish a slight youthful dryness and a bitter edge, but there's so much creamy fruit underneath that this wine should outlive the tannins.

Producer Commentary:
Also recommended: 2009 Etna Rosato (86). (A Marc de Grazia Selection; importers include Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY and Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael, CA; Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville, Illinois)
2011 La Vigna Di Don Peppino Prephylloxera Etna Rosso Sicilia
Color: Red

Score: 93.5

Drinking window: 0 - 0

Tasting notes: Medium saturated ruby-red. Highly complex nose offers pungent blackberry, red cherry, mocha, rose petal and violet aromas. Suave and silky on entry, then fine-grained, concentrated and fruit-driven, with very good mineral lift to the bright, sweet red cherry and berry flavors. Offers compelling density and sweetness, and finishes with highly polished tannins. The pungent floral nose is very reminiscent of Calderara Sottana, and it couldn't really be otherwise since this set of pre-phylloxera, century-old vines is located within the larger Calderara Sottana vineyard. But this particular plot of vines always gives a deeper, richer wine than that bottling.

Producer Commentary:
2006 Feudo Di Mezzo
Color: Red

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2013 - 2019

Tasting notes: The 2006 Feudo di Mezzo is incredibly elegant and silky as it caresses the palate in stunning style. Nothing in particular stands out in this dense, full-bodied red, yet the wine's overall poise and harmony is breathtaking. 

Producer Commentary:
This lineup from Tenuta delle Terre Nere is one of the most impressive I tasted. Brothers Marc and Iano De Grazia seem to be hitting their stride with these new releases. The wines show great balance and tons of expressiveness, something that is enhanced by an enlightened use of French oak.
2018 Etna Bianco Le Vigne Niche Santo Spirito
Color: White

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2021 - 2028

Tasting notes: The 2018 Etna Bianco Le Vigne Niche-Santo Spirito is rich and honeyed, showing ripe peach and almond paste, yet gaining freshness through evolving notes of crushed stone and spring flowers. It soothes with soft, silky textures, building momentum as saline-minerals add grip to its ripe orchard fruits. A hint of vanilla bean and sweet spice lasts throughout the long, dramatic finale. The 2018 is pleasurable from start to finish, alluringly sweet and rich yet balanced. I can assure you that comparisons to white Burgundy certainly fit the bill here. 

Producer Commentary:
No other winery has done as much for the popularity and success of Mount Etna as Terre Nere; nearly any producer in the region will offer up this same opinion. Almost two decades ago, importer Marc de Grazia set out to prove that the high-altitude vineyards, diverse volcanic soils and ancient vines found on this still-active volcano could produce world-class wines of longevity. As a result of his success, a rush of producers from Sicily and abroad have worked to carve out their own piece of Mount Etna over the last ten years. Through it all, Terre Nere remains at the head of the pack, and Marc de Grazia continues to expand his portfolio by adding choice pieces of terroir, while also pushing the limits of what his original crus are capable of. The 2018 vintage, a difficult year of drastic climatic shifts and excessive rain in October, is a perfect example of how vine age and upholding exacting standards in the vineyards and winery can turn out excellent results. Are the 2018s the best wines that Terre Nere has ever made? Not at all. But will they sit comfortably and mature evenly next to the best wines Terre Nere has made? Absolutely, just not over the long term. The uncontested standouts from the 2018s crus come from Calderara Sottana, which sits between 600-700 meters in elevation with 50-100-year-old vines shooting up from black stones, so much so that you can hardly see any soil beneath its rocky surface. The two bottlings from this site, the Calderara Sottana and the Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino (from a selection of 140+ year-old vines from within the cru), are, without a doubt, two of the wines of the vintage. As for a preview of the 2019s, the straight Etna Rosso speaks volumes about the potential of the Cru reds. On top of that, Carricante was extremely successful, but at yields that were reduced by 40-50% due to the onset of coulure. Despite that, Marc de Grazia decided to bottle not only his cru old-vine Biancos, but also just 3,000 bottles of the Cuvée della Vigne Niche Superiore: a gorgeous expression. However, for my tastes, it’s Calderara Sottana once again steals the show. In the end, this is a producer that never rests, never stops looking to improve, and is constantly innovating and thinking outside the box, hence the respect that Terre Nere has earned and holds to this very day.
2010 Etna Rosso Prephylloxera La Vigna Di Don Peppino
Color: Red

Score: 94.0

Drinking window: 2015 - 2025

Tasting notes: The highlight in this range of 2010s it the Etna Rosso Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino, easily the most refined of these offerings from Terre Nere. A gorgeous, vibrant core of fruit caresses the palate in this expressive and totally delicious wine. The 2010 isn't as big or rich as some previous versions, instead it is a wine that impresses for its considerable length and pure finesse on the palate. Tobacco and spice notes add complexity to the finish in a Nerello Mascalese that bears more than a passing resemblance to the Volnays of the Cote de Beaune. D'Angerville comes to mind. 

Producer Commentary:
The Etna boasts two reference point producers and a number of emerging growers. Along with Andrea Franchetti, proprietor Marco de Grazia continues to make compelling wines that set the standard for the Etna. De Grazia's 2010s are a bit more ethereal than the 2009s, which have a little more mid-palate depth, but also a bit less finesse in my view. Both vintages have their strengths. I followed these wines over the greater part of a day and can report they perform best with 4-6 hours of aeration.
2008 Etna Rosso Prephylloxera La Vigna Di Don Peppino
Color: Red

Score: 97.0

Drinking window: 2018 - 2028

Tasting notes: The estate's 2008 Etna Rosso Prephylloxera Vigna di Don Peppino is stunning. Layers of seamless dark fruit emerge from this dazzling, pure red. The Don Peppino reveals impeccable balance of fruit and structure. Here, too, the tannins are present but balanced beautifully by the sheer pedigree and explosiveness of the fruit. In 2008 the Don Peppino is made from old vines in Calderara and Santo Spirito that date back to 1870. It is the only red that is made from 100% Nerello Mascalese and that is aged in French oak. 

Producer Commentary:
Hard as it is to believe, proprietor Marc de Grazia continues to ratchet up the quality at Tenuta delle Terre Nere, his property on Mount Etna. Simply put, these are the most brilliant wines I have ever tasted from de Grazia. The 2008 reds will require patience, however. With one exeption, the Don Peppino, the reds are 98% Nerello Mascalese and 2% Nerello Cappuccio and are aged in cask. My only regret is that I was not able to taste the Vigne Niche, the estate's top white.
2005 Guardiola
Color: Red

Score: 90.0

Drinking window: 2013 - 2015

Tasting notes: The estate's 2005 Guardiola reveals firmer, yet silky tannins and gorgeous purity in its earthiness, tar, black cherries and toasted oak, with outstanding length and terrific overall balance even if there doesn't seem to be quite enough fruit to stand up to the oak. This beautiful, classy wine comes across as delicate yet deeply-flavored at the same time. 

Producer Commentary:
Proprietors Marco and Iano de Grazia are best known for the extensive portfolio their company represents but they are also proving to be very talented winemakers. Tenuta delle Terre Nere is located on Sicily’s Mount Etna, a recently re-discovered region that is set to challenge readers’ perceptions of Sicilian wines. These are believed to be the highest vineyards in Italy and Europe. The late-ripening indigenous Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Capuccio yield wines of notable aromatic complexity, with finessed tannins and a weightless quality that recalls Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo. Many of the best sites are still planted to old vines that proved to be resistant to phylloxera, which contributes to the wines’ complexity. Terre Nere’s top selections are aged in French oak, of which about 25% is new. It will be fascinating to follow this young estate, which appears to have a very bright future.
2016 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito
Color: Red

Score: 93.5

Drinking window: 2021 - 2027

Tasting notes: Bright medium red. Cool red fruits and minerals, even a hint of smoky ash, on the nose. Graceful, sweet and open-knit, but with a vibrant sappy quality to the red fruit and spice flavors. This has a truly silky mouthfeel, and closes with a plush, persistent finish. A real charmer that struck me as one of the most refined but also one of the lightest of the Terre Nere crus in 2016; in fact, I currently find it to be the easiest to drink of all the 2016 Terre Nere’s wines. Don’t mistake that quality with that of a less important or less successful wine; not at all, as the 2016 Santo Spirito offers sneaky concentration and complexity, not to mention noteworthy refinement. 

Producer Commentary:
2014 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito
Color: Red

Score: 94.0

Drinking window: 2017 - 2025

Tasting notes: Deep red. Fresh, very deep red cherry, almond paste, sweet spice and fresh herbs on the aromatic nose. Then vibrant, juicy and dense, showing a firm tannic backbone; lively but harmonious acidity extends the ripe deep red cherry and mineral flavors on the long, suave, complex back end. Very typical of the Santo Spirito cru. With its soft, fleshy, perfumed personality, this is readier to drink than some of the other crus from Terre Nere in 2014, but has the stuffing to age well. A truly outstanding Etna Rosso, made from grapes grown in the highest portion of Santo Spirito, not far from the Guardiola cru.

Producer Commentary:
A Barolo lover such as Marc de Grazia couldn’t fail to grasp the immense potential of Etna relative to the possibility of bottling many different cru wines. Thanks to volcanic eruptions that occurred over the centuries and created lava stratifications of different ages and compositions, Etna can give terroir-driven wines that are truly unique depending on exactly where the grapes are grown. De Grazia has incessantly promoted the differences and characteristics of each contrada (Etna’s cru areas) he farms. And though there are many who would much rather have preferred to turn Etna into one large catch-all denomination, De Grazia deserves immense praise for having fought this, realizing that Etna and its producers were sitting on a gold mine that just needed to be accessed correctly. His red wines can rank among Italy’s best, and in Etna’s fantastic 2014 vintage many look likely to reach epic status. The Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo is always the most immediately accessible and fleshiest of his reds, the Calderara Sottana is always the most mineral and Burgundian and the Guardiola most often embodies the best of both.
2007 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito
Color: Red

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2013 - 2022

Tasting notes: The 2007 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito is a marvelously complete wine. Stylistically, the Santo Spirito combines elements of the firmness of the Calderara Sottana with a bit of the sheer muscle and density found in the Guardiola. Dark cherries, flowers, licorice, herbs, spices and mint flow effortlessly from this rich, textured Etna Rosso. The Santo Spirito seems to show a touch more influence of new oak, but that is a small critique for what is truly a fascinating bottle of wine. 

Producer Commentary:
Proprietor Marc de Grazia is one of the pioneers of the Etna. Not only was he among the first producers to recognize the value of these once-forgotten, ancient terroirs, he also was the first producer to bring attention to the specific qualities of these vineyards by bottling single-parcel Nerellos that have become reference-point wines for the Etna.
2011 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito
Color: Red

Score: 93.5

Drinking window: 0 - 0

Tasting notes: Bright red. Captivating aromas of red cherry, graphite, aromatic herbs and violet. Then rich, dense and suave in the mouth, offering ripe red cherry and red berry flavors and extremely silky tannins. The bright acidity gives this wine a refined, almost austere quality. Finishes very long and dry, but not drying. An absolute knockout of a wine, and the best Santo Spirito ever. Made from a higher-altitude vineyard that usually delivers very fine, silky tannins, this wine is a major success in 2011, a year in which higher vineyards were generally penalized by rainfall. If you know Barolo well--for example the wines of Monforte--then think of Etna's Guardiola like Ginestra (more fleshy and tannic), while Santo Spirito is more like Bussia (powerful but graceful).

Producer Commentary:
2013 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito
Color: Red

Score: 90.0

Drinking window: 2016 - 2020

Tasting notes: Vivid red. Captivating aromas of red cherry and sweet spices are complicated by floral and orange peel nuances. The cherry-cola and dried cranberry flavors are more deeply pitched than usual for this wine, which shows a building spiciness with aeration. Finishes tangy and long, with gentle tannins and noteworthy mineral lift. Until the 2006 vintage, these grapes were used to make the entry-level Etna Rosso wine, but then de Grazia bought the vineyard and started bottling a cru from the site. 

Producer Commentary:
The arrival of Calogero Statella in 2008 as winemaker (he was first in his class at the enology school of University of San Michele all’Adige) has brought Tenuta delle Terre Nere’s wines to an even higher level. The estate has a relatively short history (it was founded in 2002) but owner Marc de Grazia has patiently built it up more than 30 hectares of vineyards, which which he produces roughly 200,000 bottles a year of what are some of Italy’s most popular wines.
2018 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito
Color: Red

Score: 91.0

Drinking window: 2021 - 2026

Tasting notes: The 2018 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito is incredibly pretty. Crushed stone gives way to wild strawberries, then roses and, finally, nuances of sweet spice. It’s silky in texture, motivated by juicy acidity, with ripe wild berry fruits complemented by sweet inner violet notes. Energy remains high as this tapers off with a twang of licorice and shades of lavender. I wouldn’t expect the 2018 to be one of the longest-lived renditions of Santo Spirito, but it’s certain to provide a lot of pleasure over the medium term.

Producer Commentary:
No other winery has done as much for the popularity and success of Mount Etna as Terre Nere; nearly any producer in the region will offer up this same opinion. Almost two decades ago, importer Marc de Grazia set out to prove that the high-altitude vineyards, diverse volcanic soils and ancient vines found on this still-active volcano could produce world-class wines of longevity. As a result of his success, a rush of producers from Sicily and abroad have worked to carve out their own piece of Mount Etna over the last ten years. Through it all, Terre Nere remains at the head of the pack, and Marc de Grazia continues to expand his portfolio by adding choice pieces of terroir, while also pushing the limits of what his original crus are capable of. The 2018 vintage, a difficult year of drastic climatic shifts and excessive rain in October, is a perfect example of how vine age and upholding exacting standards in the vineyards and winery can turn out excellent results. Are the 2018s the best wines that Terre Nere has ever made? Not at all. But will they sit comfortably and mature evenly next to the best wines Terre Nere has made? Absolutely, just not over the long term. The uncontested standouts from the 2018s crus come from Calderara Sottana, which sits between 600-700 meters in elevation with 50-100-year-old vines shooting up from black stones, so much so that you can hardly see any soil beneath its rocky surface. The two bottlings from this site, the Calderara Sottana and the Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino (from a selection of 140+ year-old vines from within the cru), are, without a doubt, two of the wines of the vintage. As for a preview of the 2019s, the straight Etna Rosso speaks volumes about the potential of the Cru reds. On top of that, Carricante was extremely successful, but at yields that were reduced by 40-50% due to the onset of coulure. Despite that, Marc de Grazia decided to bottle not only his cru old-vine Biancos, but also just 3,000 bottles of the Cuvée della Vigne Niche Superiore: a gorgeous expression. However, for my tastes, it’s Calderara Sottana once again steals the show. In the end, this is a producer that never rests, never stops looking to improve, and is constantly innovating and thinking outside the box, hence the respect that Terre Nere has earned and holds to this very day.
2017 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito
Color: Red

Score: 90.5

Drinking window: 2020 - 2025

Tasting notes: Luminous deep red. Easygoing red cherry and violet aromas on the fresh nose. Then bright and juicy, with straightforward flavors of red cherry, and minerals lifted by good inner-mouth violet perfume. Closes with a medium-bodied mouthfeel, hints of cranberry and building but polished tannins. Very easygoing and full of early appeal, but this strikes me as a little less complex than past Santo Spirito vintages.

Producer Commentary:
2015 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito
Color: Red

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2019 - 2024

Tasting notes: Bright red. Very perfumed nose of red cherry, raspberry jam, cinnamon, nutmeg and minerals complicated by tar and shoe polish. Clean, fresh and juicy, but with a sultry quality to the mineral but also ripe red berry and cherry flavors. Clean and fresh on the long, stoney finish. A knockout Santo Spirito that combines size and luscious sweetness like no other Etna Rosso from Terre Nere this year, but it doesn’t quite have the depth or complexity of the best wines from the estate this year.

Producer Commentary:
2010 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito
Color: Red

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 2013 - 2020

Tasting notes: The 2010 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito is quite pretty, seamless and understated. Sweet red cherries, flowers, licorice and incense are all woven together in this soft, gracious wine that is quite appealing. The Santo Spirito has a bit more density and weight than the Guardiola, but the balance of fruit, acidity and tannin is fabulous. Hints of spice, new leather, tobacco and fennel are woven into the supple, expressive finish. 

Producer Commentary:
The Etna boasts two reference point producers and a number of emerging growers. Along with Andrea Franchetti, proprietor Marco de Grazia continues to make compelling wines that set the standard for the Etna. De Grazia's 2010s are a bit more ethereal than the 2009s, which have a little more mid-palate depth, but also a bit less finesse in my view. Both vintages have their strengths. I followed these wines over the greater part of a day and can report they perform best with 4-6 hours of aeration.
2008 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito
Color: Red

Score: 95.0

Drinking window: 2018 - 2028

Tasting notes: The 2008 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito is dark, inviting and exceptionally polished. The big tannins are there, but here there is so much sheer density in the fruit that the wine's structural components are barely noticeable. This shows marvelous intensity all the way through to the dark, harmonious finish. Licorice, tar, and smoke add the final dimensions of complexity. The Santo Spirito was aged in a combination of French oak barrique, tonneau and cask, in roughly equal proportions. This is one of the more sensual of the 2008s here. 

Producer Commentary:
Hard as it is to believe, proprietor Marc de Grazia continues to ratchet up the quality at Tenuta delle Terre Nere, his property on Mount Etna. Simply put, these are the most brilliant wines I have ever tasted from de Grazia. The 2008 reds will require patience, however. With one exeption, the Don Peppino, the reds are 98% Nerello Mascalese and 2% Nerello Cappuccio and are aged in cask. My only regret is that I was not able to taste the Vigne Niche, the estate's top white.
2009 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito
Color: Red

Score: 94.0

Drinking window: 2015 - 2030

Tasting notes: A seamless, impeccable wine, the 2009 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito wraps around the palate with stunning depth. Layers of fruit emerge over time, but what stands out most is the wine's stunning textural elegance and pure finesse. Absolutely nothing is out of place. Licorice, tobacco, plums, red cherries and cinnamon all flow through to a huge, resonant finish supported by seemingly endless layers of saline-infused minerality. This is a drop-dead gorgeous wine from Terre Nere. 

Producer Commentary:
The Etna boasts two reference point producers and a number of emerging growers. Along with Andrea Franchetti, proprietor Marco de Grazia continues to make compelling wines that set the standard for the Etna. De Grazia's 2010s are a bit more ethereal than the 2009s, which have a little more mid-palate depth, but also a bit less finesse in my view. Both vintages have their strengths. I followed these wines over the greater part of a day and can report they perform best with 4-6 hours of aeration.
2016 Etna Rosso Prephylloxera La Vigna Di Don Peppino Calderara Sottana
Color: Red

Score: 95.5

Drinking window: 2021 - 2029

Tasting notes: Good full, deep red. Downright sexy, scented aromas and flavors of ripe strawberry, Oriental spices and spiced orange zest. Then very pure, silky, and wonderfully spherical, with luscious flavors of red berries, aromatic spices expressing lovely inner-mouth perfume. This seamless wine finishes with exceptionally suave tannins, lingering perfume and an exceptional ready to drink quality. (The wine carries the name of the Calderara Sottana contrada on the label but in fact, three rows of these vines are actually located in the nearby Santo Spirito contrada).

Producer Commentary:
2017 Etna Rosso Prephylloxera La Vigna Di Don Peppino Calderara Sottana
Color: Red

Score: 93.5

Drinking window: 2023 - 2029

Tasting notes: Bright red. Pungent flinty and floral nuances to the red cherry and raspberry jam aromas on the inviting nose. Enters rich, dense and almost sweet, with very precise sweet spice and red fruit flavors lingering nicely. An underlying green note remains in the background and adds complexity. Finishes with noteworthy but balanced tannic bite and plenty of freshness on the long juicy finish. A very complex wine with a beautiful nose; the tannins though are on the tough side as in many of these Terre Nere 2017 reds. A very good wine of noteworthy promise, my suggestion is to cellar this for another 4-6 years for full enjoyment.

Producer Commentary:
2018 Etna Rosso San Lorenzo
Color: Red

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2022 - 2028

Tasting notes: As the 2018 Etna Rosso San Lorenzo blows off a bit of youthful reduction, an inviting bouquet forms, mixing violets and roses with hints of white pepper and dusty strawberry. This is seamlessly soft and polished with medium weight, ushering in floral-tinged red and hints of blue fruit which give way to sweet herbal notes. Residual acids keep the expression remarkably fresh even as youthful tannins saturate deeply, leaving bitter notes of cranberry and cherry pits to linger. The 2018 San Lorenzo has the feel of a sleeping giant, requiring a few years of cellaring to truly awaken.

Producer Commentary:
No other winery has done as much for the popularity and success of Mount Etna as Terre Nere; nearly any producer in the region will offer up this same opinion. Almost two decades ago, importer Marc de Grazia set out to prove that the high-altitude vineyards, diverse volcanic soils and ancient vines found on this still-active volcano could produce world-class wines of longevity. As a result of his success, a rush of producers from Sicily and abroad have worked to carve out their own piece of Mount Etna over the last ten years. Through it all, Terre Nere remains at the head of the pack, and Marc de Grazia continues to expand his portfolio by adding choice pieces of terroir, while also pushing the limits of what his original crus are capable of. The 2018 vintage, a difficult year of drastic climatic shifts and excessive rain in October, is a perfect example of how vine age and upholding exacting standards in the vineyards and winery can turn out excellent results. Are the 2018s the best wines that Terre Nere has ever made? Not at all. But will they sit comfortably and mature evenly next to the best wines Terre Nere has made? Absolutely, just not over the long term. The uncontested standouts from the 2018s crus come from Calderara Sottana, which sits between 600-700 meters in elevation with 50-100-year-old vines shooting up from black stones, so much so that you can hardly see any soil beneath its rocky surface. The two bottlings from this site, the Calderara Sottana and the Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino (from a selection of 140+ year-old vines from within the cru), are, without a doubt, two of the wines of the vintage. As for a preview of the 2019s, the straight Etna Rosso speaks volumes about the potential of the Cru reds. On top of that, Carricante was extremely successful, but at yields that were reduced by 40-50% due to the onset of coulure. Despite that, Marc de Grazia decided to bottle not only his cru old-vine Biancos, but also just 3,000 bottles of the Cuvée della Vigne Niche Superiore: a gorgeous expression. However, for my tastes, it’s Calderara Sottana once again steals the show. In the end, this is a producer that never rests, never stops looking to improve, and is constantly innovating and thinking outside the box, hence the respect that Terre Nere has earned and holds to this very day.
2015 Etna Rosso Prephylloxera La Vigna Di Don Peppino
Color: Red

Score: 95.0

Drinking window: 2020 - 2030

Tasting notes: Vivid dark ruby-red. Aromas of red plum, red cherry syrup, mocha, flint and woodsmoke. Sweet, pliant and expressive, with outstanding sugar/acid balance to the rich, concentrated, fruit-driven flavors of raspberry and currant. Densely packed, sappy and light on its feet with firm but ripe tannins on the extremely long close. Much richer and denser than the Santo Spirito and Calderara Sottana in this vintage. 

Producer Commentary:
2013 Etna Rosso Prephylloxera La Vigna Di Don Peppino
Color: Red

Score: 93.5

Drinking window: 2015 - 2025

Tasting notes: Vibrant red. Very Nebbiolo aromas of red cherry and red rose are complicated by Pinot-Noir like flint and darker fruits. Dense and large-scaled but juicy too, offering bright, pure flavors of red berries and cherry supported by silky tannins. The finishes is pure, suave and very long, with mineral and floral reminders. I find this to combine the best traits of the Guardiola and Calderara wines, which is not that surprising as the grapes used to make it come from the Calderara Sottana and Santo Spirito vineyards (the latter is located right beneath Guardiola, so I wasn’t too far off the mark). Great stuff. 

Producer Commentary:
The arrival of Calogero Statella in 2008 as winemaker (he was first in his class at the enology school of University of San Michele all’Adige) has brought Tenuta delle Terre Nere’s wines to an even higher level. The estate has a relatively short history (it was founded in 2002) but owner Marc de Grazia has patiently built it up more than 30 hectares of vineyards, which which he produces roughly 200,000 bottles a year of what are some of Italy’s most popular wines.
2011 Etna Rosso Guardiola Terre Nere Sicilia
Color: Red

Score: 92.5

Drinking window: 0 - 0

Tasting notes: Good full, deep red. Captivating, nuanced nose offers red cherry, redcurrant, brown spices, roast coffee, rose petal and licorice. Sweet and subtle on the palate, with a wonderful aromatic character over a firm, smoothly tannic spine. The long finish shows a lightly balsamic quality and hints of dried herbs and flinty spices. This is bigger, richer and deeper than Santo Spirito, but needs time in the cellar thanks to high but harmonious acidity.

Producer Commentary:
2010 Etna Rosso Guardiola
Color: Red

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2013 - 2018

Tasting notes: The most ethereal of these wines, the 2010 Etna Rosso Guardiola is quite soft and open for business. Kirsch, strawberries, mint, flower and herbs emerge form the glass, all supported by fine, silky tannins. A model of grace and elegance, the 2010 Guardiola impresses for its balance and total sense of finesse. Saline and floral notes inform the crystalline, translucent finish. This weightless, gracious Nerello Mascalese should continue to drink well over the next decade. 

Producer Commentary:
The Etna boasts two reference point producers and a number of emerging growers. Along with Andrea Franchetti, proprietor Marco de Grazia continues to make compelling wines that set the standard for the Etna. De Grazia's 2010s are a bit more ethereal than the 2009s, which have a little more mid-palate depth, but also a bit less finesse in my view. Both vintages have their strengths. I followed these wines over the greater part of a day and can report they perform best with 4-6 hours of aeration.
2008 Etna Rosso Guardiola
Color: Red

Score: 95.0

Drinking window: 2018 - 2028

Tasting notes: The 2008 Etna Rosso Guardiola is another huge, powerful wine. Dark red fruit, anise, flowers, herbs and rhubarb layer into the explosive mid-palate. The Guardiola possesses stunning richness and a powerful, imposing personality. The wine's inner perfume and sheer depth are more than enough to stand up to the tannins. An impeccable, long finish makes it impossible to resist a second taste. The Guardiola is another marvelous wine from Terre Nere. 

Producer Commentary:
Hard as it is to believe, proprietor Marc de Grazia continues to ratchet up the quality at Tenuta delle Terre Nere, his property on Mount Etna. Simply put, these are the most brilliant wines I have ever tasted from de Grazia. The 2008 reds will require patience, however. With one exeption, the Don Peppino, the reds are 98% Nerello Mascalese and 2% Nerello Cappuccio and are aged in cask. My only regret is that I was not able to taste the Vigne Niche, the estate's top white.
2009 Etna Rosso Guardiola
Color: Red

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 2014 - 2024

Tasting notes: The 2009 Etna Rosso Guardiola is drop-dead gorgeous, even if it doesn't offer up all of its charms immediately. A wine of seduction and introspection, the 2009 is all about subtlety and nuance. Crushed flowers, cherries, licorice and spices all meld together in the glass. The 2009 doesn't have the aromatic lift or brightness of the 2010, but it does have more mid-palate resonance and fabulous balance. Although delicious today, the 2009 will drink well for at least another decade. 

Producer Commentary:
The Etna boasts two reference point producers and a number of emerging growers. Along with Andrea Franchetti, proprietor Marco de Grazia continues to make compelling wines that set the standard for the Etna. De Grazia's 2010s are a bit more ethereal than the 2009s, which have a little more mid-palate depth, but also a bit less finesse in my view. Both vintages have their strengths. I followed these wines over the greater part of a day and can report they perform best with 4-6 hours of aeration.
2018 Etna Rosso Moganazzi
Color: Red

Score: 94.0

Drinking window: 2022 - 2028

Tasting notes: A captivating display of black cherry and raspberry encased in a cloud of ashen earth, incense and crushed dried roses lifts up from the remarkably pretty 2018 Etna Rosso Moganazzi. It’s silky in texture, energized by vibrant acidity, as violet-tinged wild berry fruits and sweet spices cascade across the senses. This is so graceful but also packed full of unseen depths, and the palate aches with youthful tension and poise throughout the long, dramatic finale. You can’t help but return to the glass over and over again. The Moganazzi hails from steeply terraced 80-year-old vines on the north side of Etna, at roughly 700 meters in elevation. It’s a showstopper.

Producer Commentary:
No other winery has done as much for the popularity and success of Mount Etna as Terre Nere; nearly any producer in the region will offer up this same opinion. Almost two decades ago, importer Marc de Grazia set out to prove that the high-altitude vineyards, diverse volcanic soils and ancient vines found on this still-active volcano could produce world-class wines of longevity. As a result of his success, a rush of producers from Sicily and abroad have worked to carve out their own piece of Mount Etna over the last ten years. Through it all, Terre Nere remains at the head of the pack, and Marc de Grazia continues to expand his portfolio by adding choice pieces of terroir, while also pushing the limits of what his original crus are capable of. The 2018 vintage, a difficult year of drastic climatic shifts and excessive rain in October, is a perfect example of how vine age and upholding exacting standards in the vineyards and winery can turn out excellent results. Are the 2018s the best wines that Terre Nere has ever made? Not at all. But will they sit comfortably and mature evenly next to the best wines Terre Nere has made? Absolutely, just not over the long term. The uncontested standouts from the 2018s crus come from Calderara Sottana, which sits between 600-700 meters in elevation with 50-100-year-old vines shooting up from black stones, so much so that you can hardly see any soil beneath its rocky surface. The two bottlings from this site, the Calderara Sottana and the Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino (from a selection of 140+ year-old vines from within the cru), are, without a doubt, two of the wines of the vintage. As for a preview of the 2019s, the straight Etna Rosso speaks volumes about the potential of the Cru reds. On top of that, Carricante was extremely successful, but at yields that were reduced by 40-50% due to the onset of coulure. Despite that, Marc de Grazia decided to bottle not only his cru old-vine Biancos, but also just 3,000 bottles of the Cuvée della Vigne Niche Superiore: a gorgeous expression. However, for my tastes, it’s Calderara Sottana once again steals the show. In the end, this is a producer that never rests, never stops looking to improve, and is constantly innovating and thinking outside the box, hence the respect that Terre Nere has earned and holds to this very day.
2013 Etna Rosso Guardiola
Color: Red

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2016 - 2025

Tasting notes: Bright red. Captivating nose combines red cherry, faded red rose, violet and tar; I know everyone speaks of Etna in terms of Burgundy, but this reminds me a lot more of a great Nebbiolo! Then pure and penetrating on the palate, with rich red cherry and raspberry flavors complicated by minerals and tar. Complex and long on the fine-grained finish. This outstanding wine possesses a measure of depth and complexity that the other crus in 2013, as wonderful as they are, don’t have. 

Producer Commentary:
The arrival of Calogero Statella in 2008 as winemaker (he was first in his class at the enology school of University of San Michele all’Adige) has brought Tenuta delle Terre Nere’s wines to an even higher level. The estate has a relatively short history (it was founded in 2002) but owner Marc de Grazia has patiently built it up more than 30 hectares of vineyards, which which he produces roughly 200,000 bottles a year of what are some of Italy’s most popular wines.
2017 Etna Rosso Guardiola
Color: Red

Score: 93.5

Drinking window: 2024 - 2029

Tasting notes: Luminous crimson color. Offers minty red fruit and minerals on the captivating nose. Full, dense and rich, with multilayered flavors of red cherry, minerals, exotic spices and aromatic herbs. Finishes long with building mouthcoating tannins and with some alcohol-derived heat. The nose takes longer to open up than in the other 2017 Terre Nere wines, so decant an hour ahead (at least) prior to serving. Better still, cellar it for another five to six years for maximum enjoyment.

Producer Commentary:
2015 Etna Rosso Guardiola
Color: Red

Score: 94.0

Drinking window: 2021 - 2030

Tasting notes: Deep luminous red. Intensely mineral on the nose, with bright aromas of blueberry, red cherry, and aromatic herbs, plus Oriental spices. Dense but juicy in the mouth with lively but harmonious acidity lifting and neatly extending the austere but profound flavors on the long back end. Very deep and memorable, forget about this in the cellar for five years and enjoy for a decade after that.

Producer Commentary:
2016 Etna Rosso Guardiola
Color: Red

Score: 96.5

Drinking window: 2022 - 2030

Tasting notes: Luminous deep red. Expressive, nuanced aromas of minerals, red cherry, lemon peel, marzipan and a hint of white pepper. Then glyceral yet light on its feet, with a suave, silky texture to its Guardiola-typical, very vibrant steely red fruit and mineral flavors that showcase truly remarkable inner-mouth perfume. Deep, plush and concentrated and not at all a super-ripe style (a truly great wine from Guardiola, a very cool site, never is), this really perks up the palate leaving the mouth feeling refreshed and clean. Finishes very long, with captivating perfumed floral lift and hints of ripe black cherry.

Producer Commentary:
2007 Etna Rosso Guardiola
Color: Red

Score: 91.0

Drinking window: 2013 - 2017

Tasting notes: The 2007 Etna Rosso Guardiola captures a lovely balance in the intensity of its fruit and a lively sense of minerality that frames the wine. Beguiling, open aromatics lead to candied cherries, flowers and mint in this open, expressive Etna Rosso. Today the Guardiola is open, supple and totally expressive. Simply put, it is a gem. 

Producer Commentary:
Proprietor Marc de Grazia is one of the pioneers of the Etna. Not only was he among the first producers to recognize the value of these once-forgotten, ancient terroirs, he also was the first producer to bring attention to the specific qualities of these vineyards by bottling single-parcel Nerellos that have become reference-point wines for the Etna.
2018 Etna Rosso Guardiola
Color: Red

Score: 90.0

Drinking window: 2023 - 2026

Tasting notes: Like entering a shop selling exotic teas, spices, incense and dried flowers, 2018 Etna Rosso Guardiola holds your attention firmly. There’s a wonderful purity to its tart red fruits, yet also a lifted and feminine feel, as inner rose notes amass over a layer of youthful grippy tannins. Hints of licorice and cherry linger through the long and structured finale. The 2018 Guardiola should take on more weight with cellaring, yet I honestly wonder if its fruit can stand the test of time. 

Producer Commentary:
No other winery has done as much for the popularity and success of Mount Etna as Terre Nere; nearly any producer in the region will offer up this same opinion. Almost two decades ago, importer Marc de Grazia set out to prove that the high-altitude vineyards, diverse volcanic soils and ancient vines found on this still-active volcano could produce world-class wines of longevity. As a result of his success, a rush of producers from Sicily and abroad have worked to carve out their own piece of Mount Etna over the last ten years. Through it all, Terre Nere remains at the head of the pack, and Marc de Grazia continues to expand his portfolio by adding choice pieces of terroir, while also pushing the limits of what his original crus are capable of. The 2018 vintage, a difficult year of drastic climatic shifts and excessive rain in October, is a perfect example of how vine age and upholding exacting standards in the vineyards and winery can turn out excellent results. Are the 2018s the best wines that Terre Nere has ever made? Not at all. But will they sit comfortably and mature evenly next to the best wines Terre Nere has made? Absolutely, just not over the long term. The uncontested standouts from the 2018s crus come from Calderara Sottana, which sits between 600-700 meters in elevation with 50-100-year-old vines shooting up from black stones, so much so that you can hardly see any soil beneath its rocky surface. The two bottlings from this site, the Calderara Sottana and the Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino (from a selection of 140+ year-old vines from within the cru), are, without a doubt, two of the wines of the vintage. As for a preview of the 2019s, the straight Etna Rosso speaks volumes about the potential of the Cru reds. On top of that, Carricante was extremely successful, but at yields that were reduced by 40-50% due to the onset of coulure. Despite that, Marc de Grazia decided to bottle not only his cru old-vine Biancos, but also just 3,000 bottles of the Cuvée della Vigne Niche Superiore: a gorgeous expression. However, for my tastes, it’s Calderara Sottana once again steals the show. In the end, this is a producer that never rests, never stops looking to improve, and is constantly innovating and thinking outside the box, hence the respect that Terre Nere has earned and holds to this very day.
2018 Etna Rosso Feudo Di Mezzo
Color: Red

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2022 - 2028

Tasting notes: The 2018 Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo is dark and rich in the glass, wafting up with notes of cherry sauce, plums and Indian spice. It is deeply textural and velvety in feel, with ripe black instead of red notes, lifted by cooling mineral and minty herbs. There’s an almost balsamic twang to the finish, as this leaves the palate drenched in primary fruit and grippy tannins. The Feudo di Mezzo is a bit of a bruiser in 2018, yet a few years of cellaring should help bring it into focus.

Producer Commentary:
No other winery has done as much for the popularity and success of Mount Etna as Terre Nere; nearly any producer in the region will offer up this same opinion. Almost two decades ago, importer Marc de Grazia set out to prove that the high-altitude vineyards, diverse volcanic soils and ancient vines found on this still-active volcano could produce world-class wines of longevity. As a result of his success, a rush of producers from Sicily and abroad have worked to carve out their own piece of Mount Etna over the last ten years. Through it all, Terre Nere remains at the head of the pack, and Marc de Grazia continues to expand his portfolio by adding choice pieces of terroir, while also pushing the limits of what his original crus are capable of. The 2018 vintage, a difficult year of drastic climatic shifts and excessive rain in October, is a perfect example of how vine age and upholding exacting standards in the vineyards and winery can turn out excellent results. Are the 2018s the best wines that Terre Nere has ever made? Not at all. But will they sit comfortably and mature evenly next to the best wines Terre Nere has made? Absolutely, just not over the long term. The uncontested standouts from the 2018s crus come from Calderara Sottana, which sits between 600-700 meters in elevation with 50-100-year-old vines shooting up from black stones, so much so that you can hardly see any soil beneath its rocky surface. The two bottlings from this site, the Calderara Sottana and the Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino (from a selection of 140+ year-old vines from within the cru), are, without a doubt, two of the wines of the vintage. As for a preview of the 2019s, the straight Etna Rosso speaks volumes about the potential of the Cru reds. On top of that, Carricante was extremely successful, but at yields that were reduced by 40-50% due to the onset of coulure. Despite that, Marc de Grazia decided to bottle not only his cru old-vine Biancos, but also just 3,000 bottles of the Cuvée della Vigne Niche Superiore: a gorgeous expression. However, for my tastes, it’s Calderara Sottana once again steals the show. In the end, this is a producer that never rests, never stops looking to improve, and is constantly innovating and thinking outside the box, hence the respect that Terre Nere has earned and holds to this very day.
2018 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana Prephylloxera La Vigna Di Don Peppino
Color: Red

Score: 96.0

Drinking window: 2023 - 2034

Tasting notes: Take your time with the 2018 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino, and you’ll be rewarded. While it’s understated and pretty upon pouring, with hints of floral-laced strawberry and rose hips, further coaxing unlocks a more seductive display, as balsamic-tinged black cherries and grilled citrus give way to fresh mint and white smoke. It’s velvety in texture yet lifted and feminine in feel, showcasing mineral-tinged black fruits and exotic spices. This gains a charming inner sweetness toward the close, as vibrant acids keep the expression fresh in spite of the grippy tannins and tart berries that have completely saturated the senses. Don Peppino boasts amazing depth in 2018, yet while there is already pleasure to be found today, the best is still to come.

Producer Commentary:
No other winery has done as much for the popularity and success of Mount Etna as Terre Nere; nearly any producer in the region will offer up this same opinion. Almost two decades ago, importer Marc de Grazia set out to prove that the high-altitude vineyards, diverse volcanic soils and ancient vines found on this still-active volcano could produce world-class wines of longevity. As a result of his success, a rush of producers from Sicily and abroad have worked to carve out their own piece of Mount Etna over the last ten years. Through it all, Terre Nere remains at the head of the pack, and Marc de Grazia continues to expand his portfolio by adding choice pieces of terroir, while also pushing the limits of what his original crus are capable of. The 2018 vintage, a difficult year of drastic climatic shifts and excessive rain in October, is a perfect example of how vine age and upholding exacting standards in the vineyards and winery can turn out excellent results. Are the 2018s the best wines that Terre Nere has ever made? Not at all. But will they sit comfortably and mature evenly next to the best wines Terre Nere has made? Absolutely, just not over the long term. The uncontested standouts from the 2018s crus come from Calderara Sottana, which sits between 600-700 meters in elevation with 50-100-year-old vines shooting up from black stones, so much so that you can hardly see any soil beneath its rocky surface. The two bottlings from this site, the Calderara Sottana and the Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino (from a selection of 140+ year-old vines from within the cru), are, without a doubt, two of the wines of the vintage. As for a preview of the 2019s, the straight Etna Rosso speaks volumes about the potential of the Cru reds. On top of that, Carricante was extremely successful, but at yields that were reduced by 40-50% due to the onset of coulure. Despite that, Marc de Grazia decided to bottle not only his cru old-vine Biancos, but also just 3,000 bottles of the Cuvée della Vigne Niche Superiore: a gorgeous expression. However, for my tastes, it’s Calderara Sottana once again steals the show. In the end, this is a producer that never rests, never stops looking to improve, and is constantly innovating and thinking outside the box, hence the respect that Terre Nere has earned and holds to this very day.
2008 Etna Rosso Feudo Di Mezzo Il Quadro Delle Rosé Sicilia
Color: Red

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 0 - 0

Tasting notes: Good deep red. Delicately smoky, penetrating aromas of redcurrant and crushed rock, with a liqueur-like nuance; seems a bit less intense than the Guardiola. Supple, creamy and sweet, which is typical for this vineyard bottling, but with very good acidity and a recurring rocky quality nicely complementing the berry and smoke flavors. Finishes with sweet but mounting tannins and notes of aromatic herbs. This has the structure to age but also offers considerable up-front appeal, though the tannins are such that I'd suggest laying this away for another couple of years.

Producer Commentary:
Also recommended: 2009 Etna Rosato (86). (A Marc de Grazia Selection; importers include Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY and Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael, CA; Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville, Illinois)
2015 Etna Rosso Feudo Di Mezzo Il Quadro Delle Rose
Color: Red

Score: 91.0

Drinking window: 2020 - 2026

Tasting notes: Bright red. Ripe, sweetly spicy aromas and flavors of red cherry, medicinal herbs and minerals. Tougher than most vintages of this wine and slow to open, this is a more shut down version of Feudo di Mezzo than is typical for this Contrada. Opens slowly with aeration, finishing long and succulent on the classically dry finish.

Producer Commentary:
2007 Etna Rosso Feudo Di Mezzo Il Quadro Delle Rose
Color: Red

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2015 - 2027

Tasting notes: The 2007 Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo Il Quadro delle Rose is arguably the richest and most powerful wine among these 2007s. The fruit tends towards the dark end of the spectrum. Tar, menthol and smoke add layers of richness to this massive Etna Rosso. Today, the Feudo di Mezzo Il Quadro delle Rose remains imposing and tannic, but it should develop nicely in bottle. It is one of the most backward, virile wines I have ever tasted from the Etna. With time in the glass, it is somewhat approachable today, but there is no substitute for bottle age. 

Producer Commentary:
Proprietor Marc de Grazia is one of the pioneers of the Etna. Not only was he among the first producers to recognize the value of these once-forgotten, ancient terroirs, he also was the first producer to bring attention to the specific qualities of these vineyards by bottling single-parcel Nerellos that have become reference-point wines for the Etna.
2013 Etna Rosso Feudo Di Mezzo Il Quadro Delle Rose
Color: Red

Score: 91.0

Drinking window: 2016 - 2022

Tasting notes: Vivid red. Earth tones and licorice on the nose. Then fruitier and large-scaled in the mouth, offering ripe red fruit and botanical herb flavors that carry through a long, vibrant, chewy finish. The polished tannins provide lovely backbone to the rich red fruit flavors. This is always the first cru to be harvested, roughly two weeks ahead of Guardiola, which is located about 350 meters higher. 

Producer Commentary:
The arrival of Calogero Statella in 2008 as winemaker (he was first in his class at the enology school of University of San Michele all’Adige) has brought Tenuta delle Terre Nere’s wines to an even higher level. The estate has a relatively short history (it was founded in 2002) but owner Marc de Grazia has patiently built it up more than 30 hectares of vineyards, which which he produces roughly 200,000 bottles a year of what are some of Italy’s most popular wines.
2014 Etna Rosso Feudo Di Mezzo Il Quadro Delle Rose
Color: Red

Score: 89.0

Drinking window: 2018 - 2022

Tasting notes: Bright ruby-red. Aromas of raspberry, minerals, potpourri and ink. Suave, clean and tight, offering reticent red fruit flavors accented by mint and botanical herbs. Less expressive and showy than is common for this cru; though it's suave and sharply delineated, it seems a tad clenched and simple today on the long, firmly tannic, almost tough back end. The 2104 vintage, one of the greatest ever on Etna, has generally given more austere, deeper Etna Rosso wines that aren’t as forward as usual, so I may in fact be underestimating this wine. Time will tell.

Producer Commentary:
A Barolo lover such as Marc de Grazia couldn’t fail to grasp the immense potential of Etna relative to the possibility of bottling many different cru wines. Thanks to volcanic eruptions that occurred over the centuries and created lava stratifications of different ages and compositions, Etna can give terroir-driven wines that are truly unique depending on exactly where the grapes are grown. De Grazia has incessantly promoted the differences and characteristics of each contrada (Etna’s cru areas) he farms. And though there are many who would much rather have preferred to turn Etna into one large catch-all denomination, De Grazia deserves immense praise for having fought this, realizing that Etna and its producers were sitting on a gold mine that just needed to be accessed correctly. His red wines can rank among Italy’s best, and in Etna’s fantastic 2014 vintage many look likely to reach epic status. The Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo is always the most immediately accessible and fleshiest of his reds, the Calderara Sottana is always the most mineral and Burgundian and the Guardiola most often embodies the best of both.
2008 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana
Color: Red

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 2018 - 2024

Tasting notes: The 2008 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana is another imposing wine, but it never seems to fully soften. Dark red fruit, sweet herbs and crushed flowers are some of the nuances that occasionally make an appearance. Today the Calderara Sottana gives the impression of having a fairly narrow drinking window during which the tannins will soften while the fruit retains enough density to provide enjoyment. 

Producer Commentary:
Hard as it is to believe, proprietor Marc de Grazia continues to ratchet up the quality at Tenuta delle Terre Nere, his property on Mount Etna. Simply put, these are the most brilliant wines I have ever tasted from de Grazia. The 2008 reds will require patience, however. With one exeption, the Don Peppino, the reds are 98% Nerello Mascalese and 2% Nerello Cappuccio and are aged in cask. My only regret is that I was not able to taste the Vigne Niche, the estate's top white.
2009 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana
Color: Red

Score: 91.0

Drinking window: 2014 - 2024

Tasting notes: The 2009 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana is quite pretty in this vintage. As always, it is one of the more immediate wines in the range. The typically firm tannins are nicely balanced by an expressive, plush core of fruit that fills out the wine's broad shouldered frame nicely. Dried flowers, savory herbs and a hint of tobacco add complexity to a firm, structured finish that is impossible to resist. 

Producer Commentary:
The Etna boasts two reference point producers and a number of emerging growers. Along with Andrea Franchetti, proprietor Marco de Grazia continues to make compelling wines that set the standard for the Etna. De Grazia's 2010s are a bit more ethereal than the 2009s, which have a little more mid-palate depth, but also a bit less finesse in my view. Both vintages have their strengths. I followed these wines over the greater part of a day and can report they perform best with 4-6 hours of aeration.
2010 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana
Color: Red

Score: 91.0

Drinking window: 2013 - 2020

Tasting notes: The 2010 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana is a lovely introduction to the vintage at Terre Nere. Pine, menthol, red cherries and wild flowers all take shape in the glass. Firm tannins provide the backbone in this finely sculpted, chiseled Nerello Mascalese. Savory notes reappear to frame the bright, high-toned finish. If opened today, the 2010 will benefit from a few hours of air. 

Producer Commentary:
The Etna boasts two reference point producers and a number of emerging growers. Along with Andrea Franchetti, proprietor Marco de Grazia continues to make compelling wines that set the standard for the Etna. De Grazia's 2010s are a bit more ethereal than the 2009s, which have a little more mid-palate depth, but also a bit less finesse in my view. Both vintages have their strengths. I followed these wines over the greater part of a day and can report they perform best with 4-6 hours of aeration.
2020 Etna Rosato
Color: Rosé

Score: 91.0

Drinking window: 2021 - 2022

Tasting notes: The 2020 Etna Rosato lifts up wonderfully fresh and perfumed, offering notes of sweet peach and white smoke backed by honeyed florals and wedges of candied lime. It’s silky-smooth and round yet spry, washing nuances of ripe pear and nectarine across a core of saturating saline-minerality. There’s simply so much going on here for a Rosato as the 2020 punches well above its class, finishing incredibly long yet juicy, and fizzling out to hints of sour citrus and cheek-puckering green apple. - Eric Guido

Producer Commentary:
2016 Etna Rosato
Color: Rosé

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 2017 - 2020

Tasting notes: Pale onion-peel pink. Bright rosehip and wild strawberry aromas and flavors gain complexity with aeration. Finishes very long and floral, with lovely strokes of salinity and minerals. Outstanding Rosato that will age better than most.

Producer Commentary:
2018 Etna Bianco Santo Spirito
Color: White

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 2021 - 2028

Tasting notes: The 2018 Etna Bianco Santo Spirito presents an elegant and alluring bouquet of ripe pears and apples, complemented by dusty florals and a hint of almond paste. It’s a texturally stunning effort, coasting notions of young mango and peach across a core of contrasting minerality. There’s so much youthful density here, even as the wine remains energetic throughout, tapering off with a nutty richness offset by residual acids and savory spice. Time in the cellar will unlock further depths, but it will be hard to keep hands off until then. 

Producer Commentary:
No other winery has done as much for the popularity and success of Mount Etna as Terre Nere; nearly any producer in the region will offer up this same opinion. Almost two decades ago, importer Marc de Grazia set out to prove that the high-altitude vineyards, diverse volcanic soils and ancient vines found on this still-active volcano could produce world-class wines of longevity. As a result of his success, a rush of producers from Sicily and abroad have worked to carve out their own piece of Mount Etna over the last ten years. Through it all, Terre Nere remains at the head of the pack, and Marc de Grazia continues to expand his portfolio by adding choice pieces of terroir, while also pushing the limits of what his original crus are capable of. The 2018 vintage, a difficult year of drastic climatic shifts and excessive rain in October, is a perfect example of how vine age and upholding exacting standards in the vineyards and winery can turn out excellent results. Are the 2018s the best wines that Terre Nere has ever made? Not at all. But will they sit comfortably and mature evenly next to the best wines Terre Nere has made? Absolutely, just not over the long term. The uncontested standouts from the 2018s crus come from Calderara Sottana, which sits between 600-700 meters in elevation with 50-100-year-old vines shooting up from black stones, so much so that you can hardly see any soil beneath its rocky surface. The two bottlings from this site, the Calderara Sottana and the Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino (from a selection of 140+ year-old vines from within the cru), are, without a doubt, two of the wines of the vintage. As for a preview of the 2019s, the straight Etna Rosso speaks volumes about the potential of the Cru reds. On top of that, Carricante was extremely successful, but at yields that were reduced by 40-50% due to the onset of coulure. Despite that, Marc de Grazia decided to bottle not only his cru old-vine Biancos, but also just 3,000 bottles of the Cuvée della Vigne Niche Superiore: a gorgeous expression. However, for my tastes, it’s Calderara Sottana once again steals the show. In the end, this is a producer that never rests, never stops looking to improve, and is constantly innovating and thinking outside the box, hence the respect that Terre Nere has earned and holds to this very day.
2019 Etna Bianco Santo Spirito
Color: White

Score: 91.0

Drinking window: 2021 - 2026

Tasting notes: The 2019 Etna Bianco Santo Spirito presents a beguiling display of musky dried peaches and apricots, along with dusty florals and hints of rosemary. It’s silky and elegant, soothing the palate with a round expression of ripe fruits, as salty minerals slowly saturate. The long, perfumed finish goes on and on, leaving a hint of raw almond and nuances of spice. While typically the more generous Bianco from the Terre Nere portfolio, the Santo Spirito has a more lifted and almost fragile feel to it in 2019. 

Producer Commentary:
No other winery has done as much for the popularity and success of Mount Etna as Terre Nere; nearly any producer in the region will offer up this same opinion. Almost two decades ago, importer Marc de Grazia set out to prove that the high-altitude vineyards, diverse volcanic soils and ancient vines found on this still-active volcano could produce world-class wines of longevity. As a result of his success, a rush of producers from Sicily and abroad have worked to carve out their own piece of Mount Etna over the last ten years. Through it all, Terre Nere remains at the head of the pack, and Marc de Grazia continues to expand his portfolio by adding choice pieces of terroir, while also pushing the limits of what his original crus are capable of. The 2018 vintage, a difficult year of drastic climatic shifts and excessive rain in October, is a perfect example of how vine age and upholding exacting standards in the vineyards and winery can turn out excellent results. Are the 2018s the best wines that Terre Nere has ever made? Not at all. But will they sit comfortably and mature evenly next to the best wines Terre Nere has made? Absolutely, just not over the long term. The uncontested standouts from the 2018s crus come from Calderara Sottana, which sits between 600-700 meters in elevation with 50-100-year-old vines shooting up from black stones, so much so that you can hardly see any soil beneath its rocky surface. The two bottlings from this site, the Calderara Sottana and the Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino (from a selection of 140+ year-old vines from within the cru), are, without a doubt, two of the wines of the vintage. As for a preview of the 2019s, the straight Etna Rosso speaks volumes about the potential of the Cru reds. On top of that, Carricante was extremely successful, but at yields that were reduced by 40-50% due to the onset of coulure. Despite that, Marc de Grazia decided to bottle not only his cru old-vine Biancos, but also just 3,000 bottles of the Cuvée della Vigne Niche Superiore: a gorgeous expression. However, for my tastes, it’s Calderara Sottana once again steals the show. In the end, this is a producer that never rests, never stops looking to improve, and is constantly innovating and thinking outside the box, hence the respect that Terre Nere has earned and holds to this very day.
2009 Etna Rosso
Color: Red

Score: 89.0

Drinking window: 2013 - 2018

Tasting notes: The 2009 Etna Rosso is pretty if somewhat fragile wine laced with dried herbs, crushed flowers, tobacco and sweet red berries. The aromas and flavors are already a touch forward, suggesting the Rosso is best enjoyed sooner rather than later. 

Producer Commentary:
Hard as it is to believe, proprietor Marc de Grazia continues to ratchet up the quality at Tenuta delle Terre Nere, his property on Mount Etna. Simply put, these are the most brilliant wines I have ever tasted from de Grazia. The 2008 reds will require patience, however. With one exeption, the Don Peppino, the reds are 98% Nerello Mascalese and 2% Nerello Cappuccio and are aged in cask. My only regret is that I was not able to taste the Vigne Niche, the estate's top white.
2018 Etna Rosso
Color: Red

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 2021 - 2024

Tasting notes: The 2018 Etna Rosso is going to make fans of Terre Nere very happy, as it balances primary intensity with refinement. A dazzling mix of crushed wild strawberries, cherries and savory herbs lifts up from the glass, complicated by smoky earth notes. It’s juicy and fleshy in texture, framed by mineral-tinged dark red fruits with energizing acidity. Savory exotic spice lingers long, accompanied by sapid notes of black currants and inner florals. Wow! It just keeps going. Vintage after vintage, the Terre Nere Rosso is one of the most dependable budget-friendly wines being made in Italy today.

Producer Commentary:
No other winery has done as much for the popularity and success of Mount Etna as Terre Nere; nearly any producer in the region will offer up this same opinion. Almost two decades ago, importer Marc de Grazia set out to prove that the high-altitude vineyards, diverse volcanic soils and ancient vines found on this still-active volcano could produce world-class wines of longevity. As a result of his success, a rush of producers from Sicily and abroad have worked to carve out their own piece of Mount Etna over the last ten years. Through it all, Terre Nere remains at the head of the pack, and Marc de Grazia continues to expand his portfolio by adding choice pieces of terroir, while also pushing the limits of what his original crus are capable of. The 2018 vintage, a difficult year of drastic climatic shifts and excessive rain in October, is a perfect example of how vine age and upholding exacting standards in the vineyards and winery can turn out excellent results. Are the 2018s the best wines that Terre Nere has ever made? Not at all. But will they sit comfortably and mature evenly next to the best wines Terre Nere has made? Absolutely, just not over the long term. The uncontested standouts from the 2018s crus come from Calderara Sottana, which sits between 600-700 meters in elevation with 50-100-year-old vines shooting up from black stones, so much so that you can hardly see any soil beneath its rocky surface. The two bottlings from this site, the Calderara Sottana and the Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino (from a selection of 140+ year-old vines from within the cru), are, without a doubt, two of the wines of the vintage. As for a preview of the 2019s, the straight Etna Rosso speaks volumes about the potential of the Cru reds. On top of that, Carricante was extremely successful, but at yields that were reduced by 40-50% due to the onset of coulure. Despite that, Marc de Grazia decided to bottle not only his cru old-vine Biancos, but also just 3,000 bottles of the Cuvée della Vigne Niche Superiore: a gorgeous expression. However, for my tastes, it’s Calderara Sottana once again steals the show. In the end, this is a producer that never rests, never stops looking to improve, and is constantly innovating and thinking outside the box, hence the respect that Terre Nere has earned and holds to this very day.
2013 Etna Rosso
Color: Red

Score: 88.0

Drinking window: 2015 - 2018

Tasting notes: Bright red. Lively aromas of red berries and wet stone. Fresh and easygoing in the mouth, with the red berry and cherry flavors showing modest complexity and concentration. Finishes bright and juicy, with moderate persistence. But as this wine is made in large quantity (70,000 bottles) I can't quibble with the quality. Fill my glass, please! 

Producer Commentary:
The arrival of Calogero Statella in 2008 as winemaker (he was first in his class at the enology school of University of San Michele all’Adige) has brought Tenuta delle Terre Nere’s wines to an even higher level. The estate has a relatively short history (it was founded in 2002) but owner Marc de Grazia has patiently built it up more than 30 hectares of vineyards, which which he produces roughly 200,000 bottles a year of what are some of Italy’s most popular wines.
2007 Etna Rosso
Color: Red

Score: 88.0

Drinking window: 2013 - 2013

Tasting notes: The 2007 Etna Rosso is a great introduction to the wines of the Etna. Fresh, floral aromas meld into a soft-textured core of candied red fruits in this accessible, elegant red. The Rosso is made from the estate's youngest vines, which in this case means plants under 40 years old. 

Producer Commentary:
This lineup from Tenuta delle Terre Nere is one of the most impressive I tasted. Brothers Marc and Iano De Grazia seem to be hitting their stride with these new releases. The wines show great balance and tons of expressiveness, something that is enhanced by an enlightened use of French oak.
2015 Etna Bianco Cuvèe Delle Vigne Niche Santo Spirito
Color: White

Score: 91.0

Drinking window: 2019 - 2023

Tasting notes: Bright straw-gold. Very balsamic and herbal notes complicate apple and pear aromas and flavors. Finishes taut and linear, with a pungent minerality rising on the austere finish. 100% Carricante.

Producer Commentary:
2017 Etna Bianco Cuvèe Delle Vigne Niche Santo Spirito
Color: White

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2020 - 2025

Tasting notes: Luminous golden-tinged straw yellow. Minerals and a hint of white flowers on the saline accented nose. Rich round and smooth, with very deep, complex flavors of honey and pomaceous orchard fruit. Finishes long and vibrant, this is absolutely a knockout. 100% Carricante, the vines of which range from 7 to 60 years of age (but De Grazia uses the youngest vines for the entry-level Etna Bianco blend).

Producer Commentary:
2014 Etna Bianco Santo Spirito Cuvée Delle Vigne Niche
Color: White

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2021 - 2024

Tasting notes: The 2014 Etna Bianco Santo Spirito Cuvée delle Vigne Niche is in such a pretty and captivating place. The wine boasts a beautiful bouquet with hints of crushed almond and white smoke that give way to dusty dried peaches and mangos. It’s incredibly soft, with enveloping rich textures and honied orchard fruits contrasted by a mix of sour citrus and minerals. It is persistent and elegant, with zesty acids that linger as notes of ripe apple and melon slowly fade. I’ve had the fortune of following the 2014 Santo Spirito Bianco through its steady evolution since release, and it’s still packed full of so much energy and potential. 

Producer Commentary:
2015 Etna Bianco Santo Spirito Cuvèe Delle Vigne Niche
Color: White

Score: 91.0

Drinking window: 2019 - 2022

Tasting notes: Bright straw-gold. Very balsamic and herbal notes complicate apple and pear aromas and flavors. Closes long, lemony, and taut, almost austere in fact, with a pungent minerality rising on the stony finish. A very serious Etna Bianco. 100% Carricante.

Producer Commentary:
2009 Etna Bianco Sicilia
Color: White

Score: 89.0

Drinking window: 0 - 0

Tasting notes: Straw-yellow with golden tinges. Pungent aromas of lime oil, pear, fresh herbs and crushed stone. Bright lime and herbal flavors show mouthwatering acidity but still in a rather gentle style. Densely packed and pure on the lingering mineral and minty finish.

Producer Commentary:
Also recommended: 2009 Etna Rosato (86). (A Marc de Grazia Selection; importers include Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY and Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael, CA; Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville, Illinois)
2008 Etna Bianco Sicilia
Color: White

Score: 88.0

Drinking window: 0 - 0

Tasting notes: Pale yellow-gold color. Tangerine, apricot, menthol and a hint of honey and spice on the nose. Concentrated though not yet especially complex flavors of white fruits, herbs and honey could use a little more acidity for better verve. Finishes moderately long, with a persistent herbal and mineral aftertaste. This seems to me to be slightly less successful than the 2009 Etna Bianco.

Producer Commentary:
Also recommended: 2009 Etna Rosato (86). (A Marc de Grazia Selection; importers include Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY and Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael, CA; Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville, Illinois)
2012 Etna Bianco Sicilia
Color: White

Score: 91.0

Drinking window: 0 - 0

Tasting notes: (a blend of carricante and other local grapes): Golden straw-yellow. Complex, aromatic nose combines lemon, hazelnut, almond and vanilla. Rich, chewy and broad but with strong acidity and a saline quality giving shape to the smooth middle palate. Finishes with lovely length and lift. Denser and more tactile than the Vigne di Eli (also owned by Marc de Grazia) bottling, and just as good.

Producer Commentary:
2010 Etna Bianco Cuvee Vigne Niche
Color: White

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2013 - 2020

Tasting notes: Terre Nere's 2010 Etna Bianco Cuvee Vigne Niche wraps around the palate with serious depth, power and richness. I very much like the way the 2010 fleshes out in the glass, coming at the palate in all directions with seemingly endless layers and pure, delineated fruit. Smoke, white truffle and orange peel are layered into the textured, exotic finish. 

Producer Commentary:
The Etna boasts two reference point producers and a number of emerging growers. Along with Andrea Franchetti, proprietor Marco de Grazia continues to make compelling wines that set the standard for the Etna. De Grazia's 2010s are a bit more ethereal than the 2009s, which have a little more mid-palate depth, but also a bit less finesse in my view. Both vintages have their strengths. I followed these wines over the greater part of a day and can report they perform best with 4-6 hours of aeration.
2018 Etna Bianco Calderara Sottana
Color: White

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 2021 - 2026

Tasting notes: The 2018 Etna Bianco Calderara Sottana is coy at first, yet time in the glass unveils a gorgeous display of baked apple, apricot, crushed stone, hints of hazelnut and raw honey. It's silky-smooth in texture, with balancing acids and minerals giving way to floral-laced orchard fruits. This tapers off fresh and lifted with hints of melon and savory herbs. While the 2018 may not be the most structured and powerful vintage of Calderara Sottana Bianco, it pleases with its pretty persona and sheer drinkability.

Producer Commentary:
No other winery has done as much for the popularity and success of Mount Etna as Terre Nere; nearly any producer in the region will offer up this same opinion. Almost two decades ago, importer Marc de Grazia set out to prove that the high-altitude vineyards, diverse volcanic soils and ancient vines found on this still-active volcano could produce world-class wines of longevity. As a result of his success, a rush of producers from Sicily and abroad have worked to carve out their own piece of Mount Etna over the last ten years. Through it all, Terre Nere remains at the head of the pack, and Marc de Grazia continues to expand his portfolio by adding choice pieces of terroir, while also pushing the limits of what his original crus are capable of. The 2018 vintage, a difficult year of drastic climatic shifts and excessive rain in October, is a perfect example of how vine age and upholding exacting standards in the vineyards and winery can turn out excellent results. Are the 2018s the best wines that Terre Nere has ever made? Not at all. But will they sit comfortably and mature evenly next to the best wines Terre Nere has made? Absolutely, just not over the long term. The uncontested standouts from the 2018s crus come from Calderara Sottana, which sits between 600-700 meters in elevation with 50-100-year-old vines shooting up from black stones, so much so that you can hardly see any soil beneath its rocky surface. The two bottlings from this site, the Calderara Sottana and the Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino (from a selection of 140+ year-old vines from within the cru), are, without a doubt, two of the wines of the vintage. As for a preview of the 2019s, the straight Etna Rosso speaks volumes about the potential of the Cru reds. On top of that, Carricante was extremely successful, but at yields that were reduced by 40-50% due to the onset of coulure. Despite that, Marc de Grazia decided to bottle not only his cru old-vine Biancos, but also just 3,000 bottles of the Cuvée della Vigne Niche Superiore: a gorgeous expression. However, for my tastes, it’s Calderara Sottana once again steals the show. In the end, this is a producer that never rests, never stops looking to improve, and is constantly innovating and thinking outside the box, hence the respect that Terre Nere has earned and holds to this very day.
2019 Etna Bianco Calderara Sottana
Color: White

Score: 95.0

Drinking window: 2022 - 2030

Tasting notes: There’s an airy and inviting freshness to the 2019 Etna Bianco Calderara Sottana that pulls you close to the glass, as a nuanced display of dusty dried flowers, cardamom, crushed stone and honeyed orchard fruits comes forward over time. It’s silky and seductive on the palate, showing a pretty inner sweetness, with ripe pear giving way to notes of almond as inner florals amass toward the close. Minerals and hints of citrus sizzle throughout the long finale under an enriching air of custard. As beautiful as this is today, it will only get better over time. Simply stunning.

Producer Commentary:
No other winery has done as much for the popularity and success of Mount Etna as Terre Nere; nearly any producer in the region will offer up this same opinion. Almost two decades ago, importer Marc de Grazia set out to prove that the high-altitude vineyards, diverse volcanic soils and ancient vines found on this still-active volcano could produce world-class wines of longevity. As a result of his success, a rush of producers from Sicily and abroad have worked to carve out their own piece of Mount Etna over the last ten years. Through it all, Terre Nere remains at the head of the pack, and Marc de Grazia continues to expand his portfolio by adding choice pieces of terroir, while also pushing the limits of what his original crus are capable of. The 2018 vintage, a difficult year of drastic climatic shifts and excessive rain in October, is a perfect example of how vine age and upholding exacting standards in the vineyards and winery can turn out excellent results. Are the 2018s the best wines that Terre Nere has ever made? Not at all. But will they sit comfortably and mature evenly next to the best wines Terre Nere has made? Absolutely, just not over the long term. The uncontested standouts from the 2018s crus come from Calderara Sottana, which sits between 600-700 meters in elevation with 50-100-year-old vines shooting up from black stones, so much so that you can hardly see any soil beneath its rocky surface. The two bottlings from this site, the Calderara Sottana and the Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino (from a selection of 140+ year-old vines from within the cru), are, without a doubt, two of the wines of the vintage. As for a preview of the 2019s, the straight Etna Rosso speaks volumes about the potential of the Cru reds. On top of that, Carricante was extremely successful, but at yields that were reduced by 40-50% due to the onset of coulure. Despite that, Marc de Grazia decided to bottle not only his cru old-vine Biancos, but also just 3,000 bottles of the Cuvée della Vigne Niche Superiore: a gorgeous expression. However, for my tastes, it’s Calderara Sottana once again steals the show. In the end, this is a producer that never rests, never stops looking to improve, and is constantly innovating and thinking outside the box, hence the respect that Terre Nere has earned and holds to this very day.
2011 Etna Bianco Cuvee Delle Vigne Niche Sicilia
Color: White

Score: 90.0

Drinking window: 0 - 0

Tasting notes: (100% carricante): Gold-tinged yellow. Penetrating aromas of peach, mustard seed and minerals. Then sweet and soft on the palate, with stone fruit and floral flavors lingering. This vintage of Vigne Niche appears to offer more early accessibility than potential staying power.

Producer Commentary:
2019 Etna Bianco Cuvée Della Vigne Niche Superiore
Color: White

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2022 - 2028

Tasting notes: The 2019 Etna Bianco Cuvée della Vigne Niche Superiore lights up the senses with a seductive mix of honeydew melon, kiwi and hints of sage and wet limestone. It’s angular and tactile in feel, showcasing mineral-tinged orchard fruits. A note of ginger and bitter citrus peel creates tension toward the close. Hints of hazelnut linger under an air of inner florals as the 2019 tapers off with youthful poise and a salty flourish. The Cuvee della Vigne Niche Superiore is made 100% from old-vines Carricante. For all the depth, richness and intensity here, I was delighted to see the alcohol clocking in at 12%. Only 3,000 bottles were produced in this vintage due to a hail storm that struck right before harvest. Also worth noting is that the Superiore continued to improve over the course of eight hours in the open bottle.

Producer Commentary:
No other winery has done as much for the popularity and success of Mount Etna as Terre Nere; nearly any producer in the region will offer up this same opinion. Almost two decades ago, importer Marc de Grazia set out to prove that the high-altitude vineyards, diverse volcanic soils and ancient vines found on this still-active volcano could produce world-class wines of longevity. As a result of his success, a rush of producers from Sicily and abroad have worked to carve out their own piece of Mount Etna over the last ten years. Through it all, Terre Nere remains at the head of the pack, and Marc de Grazia continues to expand his portfolio by adding choice pieces of terroir, while also pushing the limits of what his original crus are capable of. The 2018 vintage, a difficult year of drastic climatic shifts and excessive rain in October, is a perfect example of how vine age and upholding exacting standards in the vineyards and winery can turn out excellent results. Are the 2018s the best wines that Terre Nere has ever made? Not at all. But will they sit comfortably and mature evenly next to the best wines Terre Nere has made? Absolutely, just not over the long term. The uncontested standouts from the 2018s crus come from Calderara Sottana, which sits between 600-700 meters in elevation with 50-100-year-old vines shooting up from black stones, so much so that you can hardly see any soil beneath its rocky surface. The two bottlings from this site, the Calderara Sottana and the Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino (from a selection of 140+ year-old vines from within the cru), are, without a doubt, two of the wines of the vintage. As for a preview of the 2019s, the straight Etna Rosso speaks volumes about the potential of the Cru reds. On top of that, Carricante was extremely successful, but at yields that were reduced by 40-50% due to the onset of coulure. Despite that, Marc de Grazia decided to bottle not only his cru old-vine Biancos, but also just 3,000 bottles of the Cuvée della Vigne Niche Superiore: a gorgeous expression. However, for my tastes, it’s Calderara Sottana once again steals the show. In the end, this is a producer that never rests, never stops looking to improve, and is constantly innovating and thinking outside the box, hence the respect that Terre Nere has earned and holds to this very day.
2015 Etna Bianco Calderara Sottana Cuvèe Delle Vigne Niche
Color: White

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 2019 - 2024

Tasting notes: Luminous straw with golden tinges. Pure, high-pitched nose combines lime blossom, quinine, flint, and wild herbs. Juicy, precise and quite dry but with a rich, tactile mouth feel suggesting strong extract, with harmonious acidity providing noteworthy clarity and cut. Finishes long with hints of spicy mint and even menthol. Strikes me as being richer, denser and more complete than the Santo Spirito Etna Bianco. 100% Carricante.

Producer Commentary:
2007 Etna Bianco Cuvee Delle Vigne Niche
Color: White

Score: 90.0

Drinking window: 2013 - 2015

Tasting notes: The 2007 Etna Bianco Cuvée delle Vigne Niche (Carricante) has developed lovely complexity in bottle. Smoke, ash, menthol and licorice are some of the nuances that add complexity to a generous expression of fruit. I am not sure how long the 2007 will last, but today it is an immensely rewarding, generous and complete wine from the Etna. 

Producer Commentary:
Proprietor Marc de Grazia is one of the pioneers of the Etna. Not only was he among the first producers to recognize the value of these once-forgotten, ancient terroirs, he also was the first producer to bring attention to the specific qualities of these vineyards by bottling single-parcel Nerellos that have become reference-point wines for the Etna.
2020 Etna Bianco
Color: White

Score: 91.0

Drinking window: 2021 - 2026

Tasting notes: The moment I put my nose to the glass, I questioned if this was just the entry-level 2020 Etna Bianco. Crushed stone and sea shells give way to nectarine, mint and a hint of vanilla bean to create a wildly attractive and Burgundian bouquet. On the palate, this speaks more in whispers, soft and subtle yet pleasantly sweet, contrasting ripe orchard fruits against vibrant acidity, and with gobs of minerality that sneakily collect toward the close. The medium-long finish is clean and refreshing, as hints of raw almond and pretty inner florals slowly taper off. This blend of 60% Carricante, 25% Catarratto, 10% Grecanico and 5% Minnella shines bright in the 2020 vintage.

Producer Commentary:
No other winery has done as much for the popularity and success of Mount Etna as Terre Nere; nearly any producer in the region will offer up this same opinion. Almost two decades ago, importer Marc de Grazia set out to prove that the high-altitude vineyards, diverse volcanic soils and ancient vines found on this still-active volcano could produce world-class wines of longevity. As a result of his success, a rush of producers from Sicily and abroad have worked to carve out their own piece of Mount Etna over the last ten years. Through it all, Terre Nere remains at the head of the pack, and Marc de Grazia continues to expand his portfolio by adding choice pieces of terroir, while also pushing the limits of what his original crus are capable of. The 2018 vintage, a difficult year of drastic climatic shifts and excessive rain in October, is a perfect example of how vine age and upholding exacting standards in the vineyards and winery can turn out excellent results. Are the 2018s the best wines that Terre Nere has ever made? Not at all. But will they sit comfortably and mature evenly next to the best wines Terre Nere has made? Absolutely, just not over the long term. The uncontested standouts from the 2018s crus come from Calderara Sottana, which sits between 600-700 meters in elevation with 50-100-year-old vines shooting up from black stones, so much so that you can hardly see any soil beneath its rocky surface. The two bottlings from this site, the Calderara Sottana and the Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino (from a selection of 140+ year-old vines from within the cru), are, without a doubt, two of the wines of the vintage. As for a preview of the 2019s, the straight Etna Rosso speaks volumes about the potential of the Cru reds. On top of that, Carricante was extremely successful, but at yields that were reduced by 40-50% due to the onset of coulure. Despite that, Marc de Grazia decided to bottle not only his cru old-vine Biancos, but also just 3,000 bottles of the Cuvée della Vigne Niche Superiore: a gorgeous expression. However, for my tastes, it’s Calderara Sottana once again steals the show. In the end, this is a producer that never rests, never stops looking to improve, and is constantly innovating and thinking outside the box, hence the respect that Terre Nere has earned and holds to this very day.
2015 Etna Bianco
Color: White

Score: 91.5

Drinking window: 2016 - 2019

Tasting notes: Pale green-tinged yellow. High-pitched aromas of lemon, lime and aromatic herbs are accented by a mineral nuance. Juicy, refined and precise, conveying a strong impression of citrus and saline energy. Very vibrant on the long, youthfully chewy finish. Ought to age well for another 3-4 years as well.

Producer Commentary:
A Barolo lover such as Marc de Grazia couldn’t fail to grasp the immense potential of Etna relative to the possibility of bottling many different cru wines. Thanks to volcanic eruptions that occurred over the centuries and created lava stratifications of different ages and compositions, Etna can give terroir-driven wines that are truly unique depending on exactly where the grapes are grown. De Grazia has incessantly promoted the differences and characteristics of each contrada (Etna’s cru areas) he farms. And though there are many who would much rather have preferred to turn Etna into one large catch-all denomination, De Grazia deserves immense praise for having fought this, realizing that Etna and its producers were sitting on a gold mine that just needed to be accessed correctly. His red wines can rank among Italy’s best, and in Etna’s fantastic 2014 vintage many look likely to reach epic status. The Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo is always the most immediately accessible and fleshiest of his reds, the Calderara Sottana is always the most mineral and Burgundian and the Guardiola most often embodies the best of both.
2010 Etna Bianco
Color: White

Score: 91.0

Drinking window: 2013 - 2016

Tasting notes: The 2010 Etna Bianco is gorgeous in this vintage. It flows onto the palate with layers of pointed, mineral-infused fruit, showing fabulous balance and a cool, steely personality that offers considerable potential. The Bianco is 50% Carricante, 25% Catarratto, 15% Grecanico and 10% Inzolia from vineyards planted in the late 1940s. 

Producer Commentary:
Hard as it is to believe, proprietor Marc de Grazia continues to ratchet up the quality at Tenuta delle Terre Nere, his property on Mount Etna. Simply put, these are the most brilliant wines I have ever tasted from de Grazia. The 2008 reds will require patience, however. With one exeption, the Don Peppino, the reds are 98% Nerello Mascalese and 2% Nerello Cappuccio and are aged in cask. My only regret is that I was not able to taste the Vigne Niche, the estate's top white.
2007 Etna Bianco
Color: White

Score: 86.0

Drinking window: 2013 - 2013

Tasting notes: The 2007 Etna Bianco is made from 50% Carricante, 25% Catarratto, 15% Grecanico and 10% Inzolia, all native varieties, and aged in steel. Amazingly, the vines were sixty years old in this vintage. The wine is made in a ripe style, with notes of smoke and earthiness that gradually emerge with time in the glass. Still, it remains reticent, backward and difficult to fully assess. In time it might merit a higher score, but I am not fully convinced of the balance here. 

Producer Commentary:
Tenuta delle Terre Nere is one of new, emerging properties making compelling wines on Sicily's Mount Etna. Proprietors Marco and Iano de Grazia may be best known for the extensive portfolio their company represents but they are also proving to be very talented winemakers as well.
2019 Etna Bianco
Color: White

Score: 90.0

Drinking window: 2021 - 2025

Tasting notes: The 2019 Etna Bianco lights up the senses with a sweetly perfumed display of yellow flowers and ripe apricots complemented by hints of wet stone. It’s silky and enveloping, well framed by saline-tinged acidity and further complicated by a more savory set of orchard fruits. This tapers off to freshness, along with a flourish of salty minerality that leaves the mouth watering for more. This gorgeous and characterful Carricante is worth seeking out, and it’s a tremendous value.

Producer Commentary:
No other winery has done as much for the popularity and success of Mount Etna as Terre Nere; nearly any producer in the region will offer up this same opinion. Almost two decades ago, importer Marc de Grazia set out to prove that the high-altitude vineyards, diverse volcanic soils and ancient vines found on this still-active volcano could produce world-class wines of longevity. As a result of his success, a rush of producers from Sicily and abroad have worked to carve out their own piece of Mount Etna over the last ten years. Through it all, Terre Nere remains at the head of the pack, and Marc de Grazia continues to expand his portfolio by adding choice pieces of terroir, while also pushing the limits of what his original crus are capable of. The 2018 vintage, a difficult year of drastic climatic shifts and excessive rain in October, is a perfect example of how vine age and upholding exacting standards in the vineyards and winery can turn out excellent results. Are the 2018s the best wines that Terre Nere has ever made? Not at all. But will they sit comfortably and mature evenly next to the best wines Terre Nere has made? Absolutely, just not over the long term. The uncontested standouts from the 2018s crus come from Calderara Sottana, which sits between 600-700 meters in elevation with 50-100-year-old vines shooting up from black stones, so much so that you can hardly see any soil beneath its rocky surface. The two bottlings from this site, the Calderara Sottana and the Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino (from a selection of 140+ year-old vines from within the cru), are, without a doubt, two of the wines of the vintage. As for a preview of the 2019s, the straight Etna Rosso speaks volumes about the potential of the Cru reds. On top of that, Carricante was extremely successful, but at yields that were reduced by 40-50% due to the onset of coulure. Despite that, Marc de Grazia decided to bottle not only his cru old-vine Biancos, but also just 3,000 bottles of the Cuvée della Vigne Niche Superiore: a gorgeous expression. However, for my tastes, it’s Calderara Sottana once again steals the show. In the end, this is a producer that never rests, never stops looking to improve, and is constantly innovating and thinking outside the box, hence the respect that Terre Nere has earned and holds to this very day.
2016 Etna Bianco
Color: White

Score: 90.0

Drinking window: 2017 - 2020

Tasting notes: Bright straw. Harmonious, lively aromas and flavors of white stone fruit and aromatic herbs. Bright and juicy, with a refreshing saline bite on the long smooth finish. Less concentrated than some past vintages of Etna Bianco from Terre Nere, but remarkably fresh and easy to drink. A lovely Etna Bianco that mercifully doesn’t taste of Chardonnay or other varieties that have no place on Etna. This is a steal for the price.

Producer Commentary:
2014 Etna Bianco
Color: White

Score: 90.0

Drinking window: 2015 - 2018

Tasting notes: (mainly Carricante with small percentages of Minnella, Catarratto and Grecanico): Bright straw. Herbs and honey complement orchard fruits and flint on the enticing, deep nose. Complex flavors of minerals, honey and botanical herbs linger nicely on the rich, tactile palate, with the gunflint quality repeating. Decant this at least 30 minutes ahead if you plan to open it anytime soon.

Producer Commentary:
The arrival of Calogero Statella in 2008 as winemaker (he was first in his class at the enology school of University of San Michele all’Adige) has brought Tenuta delle Terre Nere’s wines to an even higher level. The estate has a relatively short history (it was founded in 2002) but owner Marc de Grazia has patiently built it up more than 30 hectares of vineyards, which which he produces roughly 200,000 bottles a year of what are some of Italy’s most popular wines.
2009 Etna Bianco
Color: White

Score: 88.0

Drinking window: 2013 - 2013

Tasting notes: The 2009 Etna Bianco deftly balances a round, expressive core of fruit with lively minerality. This mid-weight, gracious white offers terrific balance and a long, harmonious close. A blend of predominantly Carricante with some Catarratto, Grecanico and Minella, it is an excellent introduction to the wines of the Etna. 

Producer Commentary:
Proprietor Marc de Grazia is one of the pioneers of the Etna. Not only was he among the first producers to recognize the value of these once-forgotten, ancient terroirs, he also was the first producer to bring attention to the specific qualities of these vineyards by bottling single-parcel Nerellos that have become reference-point wines for the Etna.
2014 Etna Bianco Santo Spirito Cuvée Delle Vigne Niche
Color: White

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 2016 - 2020

Tasting notes: Bright medium-dark yellow with golden tinges. Ripe, round aromas and flavors of orchard fruit and fresh herbs are complemented by balsamic touches. Finishes peppery with zingy lemony and saline bite, plus a persistent hint of rosemary. Richer and rounder than the more mineral Calderara Sottana Cuvée delle Vigne Niche, but each will have its fans. This is only the second vintage for this mainly Carricante blend with small amounts of Grecanico, Inzolia and Cataratto.

Producer Commentary:
A Barolo lover such as Marc de Grazia couldn’t fail to grasp the immense potential of Etna relative to the possibility of bottling many different cru wines. Thanks to volcanic eruptions that occurred over the centuries and created lava stratifications of different ages and compositions, Etna can give terroir-driven wines that are truly unique depending on exactly where the grapes are grown. De Grazia has incessantly promoted the differences and characteristics of each contrada (Etna’s cru areas) he farms. And though there are many who would much rather have preferred to turn Etna into one large catch-all denomination, De Grazia deserves immense praise for having fought this, realizing that Etna and its producers were sitting on a gold mine that just needed to be accessed correctly. His red wines can rank among Italy’s best, and in Etna’s fantastic 2014 vintage many look likely to reach epic status. The Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo is always the most immediately accessible and fleshiest of his reds, the Calderara Sottana is always the most mineral and Burgundian and the Guardiola most often embodies the best of both.
2013 Etna Bianco Cuvèe Vigne Niche
Color: White

Score: 91.0

Drinking window: 2016 - 2020

Tasting notes: Deep straw-gold. Yellow flowers, minerals, fennel and a smoky note on the nose. Densely packed, bright and juicy, offering rich orchard fruit and botanical herb flavors. Finishes vibrant, complex and long. This was fermented in oak and aged for about nine months in 20-hectoliter barrels. 

Producer Commentary:
The arrival of Calogero Statella in 2008 as winemaker (he was first in his class at the enology school of University of San Michele all’Adige) has brought Tenuta delle Terre Nere’s wines to an even higher level. The estate has a relatively short history (it was founded in 2002) but owner Marc de Grazia has patiently built it up more than 30 hectares of vineyards, which which he produces roughly 200,000 bottles a year of what are some of Italy’s most popular wines.
2008 Etna Bianco Cuvee Delle Vigne Niche
Color: White

Score: 91.0

Drinking window: 2013 - 2015

Tasting notes: The 2008 Etna Bianco Cuvée delle Vigne Niche is a wonderfully nuanced white loaded with rich yellow stone fruit, earthiness, smoke and crushed rocks, all of which come together on a deceptively mid-weight, textured frame. This offers gorgeous depth in the glass that leads seamlessly to the long, polished finish. With air, the wine's creaminess and pedigree emerges with tons of elegance. The Cuvée delle Vigne Niche is 100% Carricante aged in cask. 

Producer Commentary:
Proprietor Marc de Grazia is one of the pioneers of the Etna. Not only was he among the first producers to recognize the value of these once-forgotten, ancient terroirs, he also was the first producer to bring attention to the specific qualities of these vineyards by bottling single-parcel Nerellos that have become reference-point wines for the Etna.
2006 Calderara Sottana
Color: Red

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 2013 - 2019

Tasting notes: The 2006 Calderara Sottana, once the estate's entry-level wine, is now itself a selection of the best fruit and oldest vines from the heart of the Calderara vineyard, while the rest of the fruit from Calderara now goes into the Rosso. This utterly engaging wine offers up dark cherries, spices and sweet herbs in a style that brings to mind the Nebbiolos of Northern Piedmont. There is a lovely density here despite the wine's medium-bodied frame. 

Producer Commentary:
This lineup from Tenuta delle Terre Nere is one of the most impressive I tasted. Brothers Marc and Iano De Grazia seem to be hitting their stride with these new releases. The wines show great balance and tons of expressiveness, something that is enhanced by an enlightened use of French oak.
2006 Calderara Sottana Etna Rosso
Color: Red

Score: 89.0

Drinking window: 0 - 0

Tasting notes: (a blend of 98% nerello mascalese and 2% nerello cappuccio) Slightly more austere on the nose than the other reds in this line-up, hinting at redcurrant, flowers and tea leaf. High in acidity and lean, but with plenty of persistent, pure flavors of ripe red cherry, herbs and minerals. Finishes with a suggestion of orange peel. About as close to pinot noir as an Italian variety can get.

Producer Commentary:
2008 Calderara Sottana Etna Rosso
Color: Red

Score: 90.0

Drinking window: 0 - 0

Tasting notes: Bright light red. Medicinal red cherry, crystallized blackberry, violet and herbs on the nose. Fresh, juicy and tightly wrapped, with tangy flavors of herbal red berries and salty minerals. Lively acidity and a firm tannic spine, as well as less obviously ripe red fruit, give this a slightly austere feel on the long finish. Though not yet pliant, it has the structure and material to reward aging.

Producer Commentary:
Also recommended: 2009 Etna Rosato (86). (A Marc de Grazia Selection; importers include Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY and Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael, CA; Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville, Illinois)
2016 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana
Color: Red

Score: 96.5

Drinking window: 2022 - 2030

Tasting notes: Moderately saturated brilliant crimson red. Minty and balsamic nuances complement the very elegant aromas of strawberry, red cherry, rose petal, savory herbs and crushed rocks. Clean and fresh yet also very rich and ripe, with a steely core of red/black fruit nicely framed by silky tannins and harmonious acidity. Finishes very suave and smooth, boasting a highly multifaceted and concentrated personality. To put it in perspective, this currently offers more flesh and depth than Terre Nere’s also outstanding Etna Rosso Guardiola and San Lorenzo, but also greater steely resolve, a very typical finding in Calderara Sottana, a contrada characterized by extremely poor stony soil. Let me be crystal-clear: this is one of the two/three best Calderara Sottana wines from Terre Nere ever, and I should know having tasted all of them multiple times over the years.

Producer Commentary:
2017 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana
Color: Red

Score: 91.5

Drinking window: 2021 - 2026

Tasting notes: Bright deep red. Flinty floral nuances complement red cherry and herbal notes on the enticing nose. Bright, juicy and round on entry, then showcases a stiff tannic spine and building alcohol-derived warmth with red cherry nectar and smoky flavors lingering nicely. Repeating, vibrant red cherry and sweet spice notes add complexity on the close. Currently lacks a little balance: I would have scored this higher if it didn’t taste so hot (the bottle’s label declares 14.5% alcohol).

Producer Commentary:
2011 Calderara Sottana Etna Rosso
Color: Red

Score: 90.0

Drinking window: 0 - 0

Tasting notes: (14.5% alcohol): Bright red. Pungent red berry, flint and floral aromas on the perfumed nose. Then much sweeter and richer on the palate, with smooth red cherry and spice (cardamom, cinnamon, white pepper) flavors. Full and long, with a strong mineral quality.

Producer Commentary:
2005 Calderara Sottana
Color: Red

Score: 89.0

Drinking window: 2013 - 2013

Tasting notes: The 2005 Calderara Sottana presents a darker color along with spices aromatics and a somewhat brooding personality. Initially very tight, with air the cherry fruit gradually emerges to complete this lovely wine. 

Producer Commentary:
Proprietors Marco and Iano de Grazia are best known for the extensive portfolio their company represents but they are also proving to be very talented winemakers. Tenuta delle Terre Nere is located on Sicily’s Mount Etna, a recently re-discovered region that is set to challenge readers’ perceptions of Sicilian wines. These are believed to be the highest vineyards in Italy and Europe. The late-ripening indigenous Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Capuccio yield wines of notable aromatic complexity, with finessed tannins and a weightless quality that recalls Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo. Many of the best sites are still planted to old vines that proved to be resistant to phylloxera, which contributes to the wines’ complexity. Terre Nere’s top selections are aged in French oak, of which about 25% is new. It will be fascinating to follow this young estate, which appears to have a very bright future.
2008 Etna Rosso Feudo Di Mezzo Il Quadro Delle Rose
Color: Red

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2014 - 2028

Tasting notes: The 2008 Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo Il Quadro delle Rose is a somewhat severe, tannic wine. With time in the glass the inner perfume emerges from the tightly coiled frame. Sweet roses and red berries caress the palate as the wine finds its balance in the glass. The Quadro delle Rose will require patience, but it is a wine of great harmony and exceptional finesse. 

Producer Commentary:
Hard as it is to believe, proprietor Marc de Grazia continues to ratchet up the quality at Tenuta delle Terre Nere, his property on Mount Etna. Simply put, these are the most brilliant wines I have ever tasted from de Grazia. The 2008 reds will require patience, however. With one exeption, the Don Peppino, the reds are 98% Nerello Mascalese and 2% Nerello Cappuccio and are aged in cask. My only regret is that I was not able to taste the Vigne Niche, the estate's top white.
2016 Etna Rosso Feudo Di Mezzo Il Quadro Delle Rose
Color: Red

Score: 91.0

Drinking window: 2020 - 2026

Tasting notes: Good vivid red. High-pitched aromas of smoky red berries, sweet spices and violet, complemented by lower-toned earth notes. As is always the case with this wine (and more in general, with all wines from this contrada), it boasts terrific volume and purity from the outset at a young age: round and suave but juicy, and quite ripely fruit-driven, with smooth raspberry flavors complicated by minerals and Oriental spices. Finishes bright, long, and sweetly spicy. All that said, this Feudo di Mezzo strikes me as a slightly less structured, less opulent version of this wine than usual (I’d dare to write “leaner”, if that term weren’t immediately associated in wine circles with highly negative connotations). 

Producer Commentary:
2017 Etna Rosso Feudo Di Mezzo Il Quadro Delle Rose
Color: Red

Score: 90.5

Drinking window: 2022 - 2026

Tasting notes: Deep red. Ripe red cherry and raspberry aromas are complicated by musk and earth tones. Then rich, ripe and increasingly tannic in the mouth, with a mouthcoating quality on the long but slightly drying finish. Showcases the rich, forward personality of Quadro delle Rose wines in most vintages, but this seems to have slightly tougher tannins than most I remember at a similar stage of development. Closes long and clean. Try cellaring this to allow the tannins to smoothen a bit.

Producer Commentary:
2011 Etna Rosso Feudo Di Mezzo Il Quadro Delle Rosé Sicilia
Color: Red

Score: 90.5

Drinking window: 0 - 0

Tasting notes: (a blend of 98% nerello mascalese and 2% nerello cappuccio; 14.5% alcohol): Moderately saturated ruby-red. Aromas of blackberry, licorice, tar and licorice, lifted by a floral nuance. Supple and silky on entry, then turns increasingly tough and tannic in the middle, with reticent darker fruit flavors firmed on the end by iron and mineral nuances. This complex wine finishes with good breadth but will need at least a couple years to unwind. I find the tannins in most 2011 Etna reds to be tough and slightly bitter, and it's telling that even Terre Nere, which usually makes beautifully perfumed, silky wines, had trouble achieving this result in the vintage.

Producer Commentary:
2010 Etna Rosso Feudo Di Mezzo Il Quadro Delle Rose
Color: Red

Score: 91.0

Drinking window: 2015 - 2025

Tasting notes: The 2010 Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo Il Quadro delle Rose comes across as deep, powerful and earthy. This is a decidedly dark, brooding Nerello Mascalese. Firm, incisive tannins don't seem to soften, even with considerable aeration. The 2010 is best left alone for another year or two, but it is hard to imagine it developing into a wine of true finesse. My impression is that the 2010 will always remain a bit of a brute. New leather, earthiness, tobacco, smoke and incense all add complexity on the mysterious, beguiling finish. 

Producer Commentary:
The Etna boasts two reference point producers and a number of emerging growers. Along with Andrea Franchetti, proprietor Marco de Grazia continues to make compelling wines that set the standard for the Etna. De Grazia's 2010s are a bit more ethereal than the 2009s, which have a little more mid-palate depth, but also a bit less finesse in my view. Both vintages have their strengths. I followed these wines over the greater part of a day and can report they perform best with 4-6 hours of aeration.
2005 Feudo Di Mezzo
Color: Red

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 2013 - 2015

Tasting notes: The 2005 Feudo di Mezzo is the most structured of these wines. It sweeps across the palate with layers of sweet, perfumed fruit, showing terrific depth and density supported by finessed tannins. This a gorgeous expression of Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Capuccio from the slopes of the Etna. 

Producer Commentary:
Proprietors Marco and Iano de Grazia are best known for the extensive portfolio their company represents but they are also proving to be very talented winemakers. Tenuta delle Terre Nere is located on Sicily’s Mount Etna, a recently re-discovered region that is set to challenge readers’ perceptions of Sicilian wines. These are believed to be the highest vineyards in Italy and Europe. The late-ripening indigenous Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Capuccio yield wines of notable aromatic complexity, with finessed tannins and a weightless quality that recalls Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo. Many of the best sites are still planted to old vines that proved to be resistant to phylloxera, which contributes to the wines’ complexity. Terre Nere’s top selections are aged in French oak, of which about 25% is new. It will be fascinating to follow this young estate, which appears to have a very bright future.
2009 Etna Rosso Feudo Di Mezzo Il Quadro Delle Rose
Color: Red

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 2015 - 2030

Tasting notes: As is often, the case, the 2009 Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo is one of the more compact, powerful wines in the range. Today it is closed down and virtually impossible to evaluate. My sense is the 2009 will be better in a few years' time, but it is hard to see the wine ever becoming particularly elegant. Instead, chances are the Feudo di Mezzo will always be a bit of a brute. Cinnamon, cloves, leather and tobacco linger on the rustic, imposing finish. 

Producer Commentary:
The Etna boasts two reference point producers and a number of emerging growers. Along with Andrea Franchetti, proprietor Marco de Grazia continues to make compelling wines that set the standard for the Etna. De Grazia's 2010s are a bit more ethereal than the 2009s, which have a little more mid-palate depth, but also a bit less finesse in my view. Both vintages have their strengths. I followed these wines over the greater part of a day and can report they perform best with 4-6 hours of aeration.
2015 Etna Bianco Cuvée Delle Vigne Niche Calderara Sottana
Color: White

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 2019 - 2024

Tasting notes: Pale straw color. Pear, melon, incense and a strong leesy nuance on the nose. Juicy on entry, then nicely concentrated and rich in extract, with the wine's saline character and edge of lemony acidity in delicious harmony. Finishes classically dry, with an impression of solid extract, and hints of spicy menthol. As good as the 2015 Etna Bianco Santo Spirito is, this strikes me as richer, denser and more complete than that wine. 100% Carricante.

Producer Commentary:
2017 Etna Bianco Cuvée Delle Vigne Niche Calderara Sottana
Color: White

Score: 94.0

Drinking window: 2020 - 2027

Tasting notes: Vibrant deep yellow. Deep, round and complex, this enters sweet then turns mineral and steely, with refined lemony, apple and chamomile flavors. Finishes long, very austere and stony, but manages the neat trick of tasting luscious and ripe at the same time. Deeper and more complex than the other 2017 whites I tasted from Terre Nere this year. This 100% Carricante, mostly from 60 years old vines, may well be the best white wine from owner Marc de Grazia’s Terre Nere estate I have ever tried at a similar stage of development.

Producer Commentary:
2014 Etna Bianco Calderara Sottana Cuvée Delle Vigne Niche
Color: White

Score: 94.0

Drinking window: 2016 - 2021

Tasting notes: Bright medium golden-yellow. Very mineral on the nose and in the mouth; razor-sharp acidity lifts the ripe orchard fruit, lime and minty herb flavors. Multilayered and very complex, displaying repeating citrus notes on the long, crystalline finish. This is only the second vintage for this mainly Carricante blend with small amounts of Grecanico, Inzolia and Cataratto. Outstanding wine -- undoubtedly one of the best white wines ever made by Tenuta delle Terre Nere.

Producer Commentary:
A Barolo lover such as Marc de Grazia couldn’t fail to grasp the immense potential of Etna relative to the possibility of bottling many different cru wines. Thanks to volcanic eruptions that occurred over the centuries and created lava stratifications of different ages and compositions, Etna can give terroir-driven wines that are truly unique depending on exactly where the grapes are grown. De Grazia has incessantly promoted the differences and characteristics of each contrada (Etna’s cru areas) he farms. And though there are many who would much rather have preferred to turn Etna into one large catch-all denomination, De Grazia deserves immense praise for having fought this, realizing that Etna and its producers were sitting on a gold mine that just needed to be accessed correctly. His red wines can rank among Italy’s best, and in Etna’s fantastic 2014 vintage many look likely to reach epic status. The Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo is always the most immediately accessible and fleshiest of his reds, the Calderara Sottana is always the most mineral and Burgundian and the Guardiola most often embodies the best of both.
2014 Etna Rosato
Color: Rosé

Score: 89.0

Drinking window: 2015 - 2017

Tasting notes: Orange-pink color. Pungent aromas of pear, orange, almond flowers and minerals. Soft and easygoing in the middle palate but also floral and aromatic in typical Nerello Mascalese fashion. This juicy, spicy, intense rosato boasts harmonious acidity and a solid structure, as well as a sweet floral finish, but I would have liked a little more generosity of fruit. 

Producer Commentary:
2017 Rosato (Etna)
Color: Rosé

Score: 91.0

Drinking window: 2018 - 2020

Tasting notes: Pale onion-peel pink. Delicately fruity and floral aromas of jasmine, honyesuckle, redcurrant, gooseberry and minerals. Bright and crisp, this is a paragon of balance and delicacy. Lovely stuff. 100% Nerello Mascalese.

Producer Commentary:
2009 Etna Rosato
Color: Rosé

Score: 89.0

Drinking window: 2013 - 2013

Tasting notes: The 2009 Etna Rosato from Terre Nere is made from Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Mantellato grown in vineyards ranging from 40 to 140 years of age. Subtle red cherries, earthiness, licorice, herbs and minerals are woven together with unusual grace and elegance. This mid-weight, elegant rosé impresses for its complexity, length and pedigree. It is a steal for the money.

Producer Commentary:
2016 Rosato (Etna)
Color: Rosé

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2017 - 2020

Tasting notes: Copper-tinged pale pink. Enticing nose and flavors of fresh red berries, botanical herbs, sweet spices, aromatic oils and woodsy spices. Sneaky concentration and size with wonderful sugar-acid balance and a welcome saline twist. Best rosato from Terre Nere in years. A blend of Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Mantellato. 

Producer Commentary:
2008 Etna Rosato
Color: Rosé

Score: 87.0

Drinking window: 2013 - 2013

Tasting notes: Tenuta delle Terre Nere makes some of the most fascinating wines in Sicily. The 2008 Etna Rosato is mid-weight and ethereal in its red cherries, tar and spices. As it sits in the glass, the wine's inner perfume continues to emerge, yet this remains a decidedly soft, fleeting style of rosé. 

Producer Commentary:
2017 Etna Bianco
Color: White

Score: 89.0

Drinking window: 2019 - 2022

Tasting notes: Good full yellow. Aromas of peach, eucalyptus and pear. Luscious and ripe, with good grapefruit, white pepper, and a touch of honey in the mouth. Slightly rounder and sweeter than the 2018, boasting a long finish of chamomile and sweet herbs.

Producer Commentary:
2018 Etna Bianco
Color: White

Score: 90.0

Drinking window: 2019 - 2023

Tasting notes: Luminous medium-dark straw yellow. Aromas and flavors of chamomile and balsamic oils along with hints of pear and minerals on the inviting nose. Enters a little subdued, but finishes very strong and long. This builds on you slowly; think of it more like a marathon runner rather than a 100 yards sprinter.

Producer Commentary:
2007 Etna Bianco Sicilia
Color: White

Score: 87.0

Drinking window: 0 - 0

Tasting notes: (a complicated blend of roughly 50% carricante, 25% catarratto, 15% grecanico, 10% inzolia and bits of sauvignon blanc and viognier) Green-gold color. The bright, rich nose is dominated by herbal and mineral aromas, with some quince and tangerine and a whiff of sulphur that blows off with aeration. Creamier and sweeter in the mid-palate than the 2005, with flavors of white peach, lemon and dried herbs. There's also less apparent acidity here but no shortage of inner-mouth energy. Finishes with strong menthol and mineral notes. Not a wimpy wine; in fact, this stony, rather gripping blend may not be for palates weaned on soft, vanillin, oaky chardonnay.

Producer Commentary:
2011 Etna Bianco
Color: White

Score: 94.0

Drinking window: 2013 - 2020

Tasting notes: The 2011 Etna Bianco opens with an extraordinary bouquet laced with the incense, smoke, gunflint, lime and crushed rocks. Taut and marvelously pure, the 2011 is endowed with superb energy and tension. Quite simply, the Bianco is one of the very finest Italian whites I have tasted in some time. 

Producer Commentary:
The Etna boasts two reference point producers and a number of emerging growers. Along with Andrea Franchetti, proprietor Marco de Grazia continues to make compelling wines that set the standard for the Etna. De Grazia's 2010s are a bit more ethereal than the 2009s, which have a little more mid-palate depth, but also a bit less finesse in my view. Both vintages have their strengths. I followed these wines over the greater part of a day and can report they perform best with 4-6 hours of aeration.
2016 Etna Bianco
Color: White

Score: 90.0

Drinking window: 2019 - 2020

Tasting notes: Bright straw. Harmonious but lively aromas and flavors of white stone fruit and aromatic herbs. Bright and juicy, displays a refreshingly saline bite on the long, smooth finish. Less concentrated than some past vintages of Etna Bianco but remarkably fresh and easy to drink.

Producer Commentary:
2007 Etna Rosso Prephylloxera La Vigna Di Don Peppino
Color: Red

Score: 94.0

Drinking window: 2013 - 2027

Tasting notes: The 2007 Etna Rosso Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino flows with incredible richness and power, but never comes across as heavy. Today, the Don Peppino is incredibly primary. It needs several more years in bottle to develop the full breadth of its aromas and flavors, but even today the integrity of the dark red fruit and the elegance of the tannins are totally convincing. All this needs is time. 

Producer Commentary:
Proprietor Marc de Grazia is one of the pioneers of the Etna. Not only was he among the first producers to recognize the value of these once-forgotten, ancient terroirs, he also was the first producer to bring attention to the specific qualities of these vineyards by bottling single-parcel Nerellos that have become reference-point wines for the Etna.
2014 Etna Rosso Prephylloxera La Vigna Di Don Peppino
Color: Red

Score: 96.5

Drinking window: 2018 - 2026

Tasting notes: Luminous red. Red cherry, marzipan, raspberry jam, quinine, blood orange and a dusting of powdered minerals on the drop-dead gorgeous nose. Wonderfully juicy, sweet and gripping in the mouth, showing superb nuance and verve to the soft, fleshy red fruit, candied violet and balsamic flavors. Finishes vibrant and with noteworthy length; broad but polished tannins coat the entire mouth. An Etna Rosso of memorable purity and precision, this is great to drink already but promises greater things still to come. Made from a parcel of old pre-phylloxeric vines that grow in the Calderara Sottana vineyard (one row of which actually grows in the Santo Spirito cru), but at 100+ years of age, the Don Peppino vines are much older than those used for the Calderara Sottana bottling. In fact, this wine is a textbook example of the importance of old vines, because as delightful as the Calderara Sottana Etna Rosso is, the Don Peppino is vastly superior due to its softer, nobler tannins and greater depth and complexity of fruit.

Producer Commentary:
A Barolo lover such as Marc de Grazia couldn’t fail to grasp the immense potential of Etna relative to the possibility of bottling many different cru wines. Thanks to volcanic eruptions that occurred over the centuries and created lava stratifications of different ages and compositions, Etna can give terroir-driven wines that are truly unique depending on exactly where the grapes are grown. De Grazia has incessantly promoted the differences and characteristics of each contrada (Etna’s cru areas) he farms. And though there are many who would much rather have preferred to turn Etna into one large catch-all denomination, De Grazia deserves immense praise for having fought this, realizing that Etna and its producers were sitting on a gold mine that just needed to be accessed correctly. His red wines can rank among Italy’s best, and in Etna’s fantastic 2014 vintage many look likely to reach epic status. The Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo is always the most immediately accessible and fleshiest of his reds, the Calderara Sottana is always the most mineral and Burgundian and the Guardiola most often embodies the best of both.
2006 Etna Rosso
Color: Red

Score: 89.0

Drinking window: 2013 - 2013

Tasting notes: The 2006 Etna Rosso (mostly Nerello Mascalese) is made from the estate's younger vines. It is a very pretty, mid-weight effort with attractive notes of tobacco, earthiness and black cherries, and an accessible personality. 

Producer Commentary:
Proprietors Marco and Iano de Grazia are best known for the extensive portfolio their company represents but they are also proving to be very talented winemakers. Tenuta delle Terre Nere is located on Sicily’s Mount Etna, a recently re-discovered region that is set to challenge readers’ perceptions of Sicilian wines. These are believed to be the highest vineyards in Italy and Europe. The late-ripening indigenous Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Capuccio yield wines of notable aromatic complexity, with finessed tannins and a weightless quality that recalls Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo. Many of the best sites are still planted to old vines that proved to be resistant to phylloxera, which contributes to the wines’ complexity. Terre Nere’s top selections are aged in French oak, of which about 25% is new. It will be fascinating to follow this young estate, which appears to have a very bright future.
2008 Etna Rosso
Color: Red

Score: 89.0

Drinking window: 2013 - 2016

Tasting notes: The 2008 Etna Rosso is a rock-star wine for the money. The purity and depth of the dark red fruit is remarkable, while the finesse in the tannins is commendable for a wine in this price range. Sweet tobacco, flowers and spices linger on the finish. Consider the Etna Rosso a poor man's Burgundy or Barolo. It is a great effort at this level. 

Producer Commentary:
Proprietor Marc de Grazia is one of the pioneers of the Etna. Not only was he among the first producers to recognize the value of these once-forgotten, ancient terroirs, he also was the first producer to bring attention to the specific qualities of these vineyards by bottling single-parcel Nerellos that have become reference-point wines for the Etna.
2007 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana
Color: Red

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2013 - 2022

Tasting notes: The 2007 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana is one of the more ethereal, tightly-wound wines in this line-up of 2007s. High toned red berries, flowers, mint and minerals walk a tightrope of fine yet firm tannins. There is an energy and vibrancy to the Calderara Sottana that I find incredibly appealing. The bright red fruit recalls a Barbaresco from the Ovello vineyard. Minty, floral notes reappear on the delicate, finessed finish. This is a fabulous wine readers will not want to miss. 

Producer Commentary:
Proprietor Marc de Grazia is one of the pioneers of the Etna. Not only was he among the first producers to recognize the value of these once-forgotten, ancient terroirs, he also was the first producer to bring attention to the specific qualities of these vineyards by bottling single-parcel Nerellos that have become reference-point wines for the Etna.
2017 Etna Rosso
Color: Red

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 2019 - 2022

Tasting notes: Bright red. Pure nose offers red cherry and raspberry fruit aromas complicated by herbs and minerals. Suave and rather tightly wound, but nicely lifted by salty minerality that accentuates the bright red fruit flavors. Finishes firmly tannic but not drying, with outstanding persistence. Simply a great entry level Etna Rosso.

Producer Commentary:
2011 Etna Rosso
Color: Red

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 2013 - 2020

Tasting notes: A gorgeous entry-level wine, the 2011 Etna Rosso is remarkably balanced and poised. Sweet herbs, tobacco, licorice, fennel and herbs emerge form this utterly gracious and compelling red. This is a great showing from the Rosso. The wine's depth, balance and harmony are first-class all the way. Based on this showing, I can hardly wait to taste the other wines in the range! 

Producer Commentary:
The Etna boasts two reference point producers and a number of emerging growers. Along with Andrea Franchetti, proprietor Marco de Grazia continues to make compelling wines that set the standard for the Etna. De Grazia's 2010s are a bit more ethereal than the 2009s, which have a little more mid-palate depth, but also a bit less finesse in my view. Both vintages have their strengths. I followed these wines over the greater part of a day and can report they perform best with 4-6 hours of aeration.
2014 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana
Color: Red

Score: 92.5

Drinking window: 2018 - 2024

Tasting notes: Good deep red. Captivating aromas of sweet cherry, crushed rocks and violet. Juicy, suave and perfumed, showing excellent vinosity to the complex, very precise flavors of plum, sour red cherries and dried herbs. Fine-grained tannins and lovely lingering aromatic perfume are featured on the long, very pure finish. Another superb vintage for this bottling, which is the most Burgundian of all of Terre Nere’s various Etna Rosso crus. It also strikes me as having less of an alcohol thrust than the other reds made at Terre Nere in this vintage.

Producer Commentary:
A Barolo lover such as Marc de Grazia couldn’t fail to grasp the immense potential of Etna relative to the possibility of bottling many different cru wines. Thanks to volcanic eruptions that occurred over the centuries and created lava stratifications of different ages and compositions, Etna can give terroir-driven wines that are truly unique depending on exactly where the grapes are grown. De Grazia has incessantly promoted the differences and characteristics of each contrada (Etna’s cru areas) he farms. And though there are many who would much rather have preferred to turn Etna into one large catch-all denomination, De Grazia deserves immense praise for having fought this, realizing that Etna and its producers were sitting on a gold mine that just needed to be accessed correctly. His red wines can rank among Italy’s best, and in Etna’s fantastic 2014 vintage many look likely to reach epic status. The Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo is always the most immediately accessible and fleshiest of his reds, the Calderara Sottana is always the most mineral and Burgundian and the Guardiola most often embodies the best of both.
2013 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana
Color: Red

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 2017 - 2022

Tasting notes: Dark red. Strong stony minerality currently overshadows aromas of red cherry and raspberry. Penetrating and vibrant on the palate, with red berry and mineral flavors displaying noteworthy purity and complexity. Lingers long on the youthfully chewy finish, which features a bright mineral overlay and a violet topnote. This cru is located at roughly the same altitude as Feudo di Mezzo but the soil is extremely gravelly. It's almost always the most Burgundian of Terre Nere’s many crus and it’s no different this year. Only about 800 meter walk away from the Feudo di Mezzo Quadro delle Rose vineyard, but the wines are a world apart. 

Producer Commentary:
The arrival of Calogero Statella in 2008 as winemaker (he was first in his class at the enology school of University of San Michele all’Adige) has brought Tenuta delle Terre Nere’s wines to an even higher level. The estate has a relatively short history (it was founded in 2002) but owner Marc de Grazia has patiently built it up more than 30 hectares of vineyards, which which he produces roughly 200,000 bottles a year of what are some of Italy’s most popular wines.
2014 Etna Rosso
Color: Red

Score: 90.5

Drinking window: 2016 - 2019

Tasting notes: Bright red. Fresh, very floral aromas of red berries, sour red cherry and minerals have an almost pungent quality. Bright and juicy in the mouth, too; lively acidity nicely perks up the crisp strawberry and raspberry flavors, complicated by hints of botanical herbs and crushed stone. Finishes long and bright. This saline, floral entry-level Etna Rosso is a great buy.

Producer Commentary:
A Barolo lover such as Marc de Grazia couldn’t fail to grasp the immense potential of Etna relative to the possibility of bottling many different cru wines. Thanks to volcanic eruptions that occurred over the centuries and created lava stratifications of different ages and compositions, Etna can give terroir-driven wines that are truly unique depending on exactly where the grapes are grown. De Grazia has incessantly promoted the differences and characteristics of each contrada (Etna’s cru areas) he farms. And though there are many who would much rather have preferred to turn Etna into one large catch-all denomination, De Grazia deserves immense praise for having fought this, realizing that Etna and its producers were sitting on a gold mine that just needed to be accessed correctly. His red wines can rank among Italy’s best, and in Etna’s fantastic 2014 vintage many look likely to reach epic status. The Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo is always the most immediately accessible and fleshiest of his reds, the Calderara Sottana is always the most mineral and Burgundian and the Guardiola most often embodies the best of both.
2012 Etna Rosso Terre Nere Sicilia
Color: Red

Score: 89.0

Drinking window: 0 - 0

Tasting notes: (a blend of 95% nerello mascalese and 5% nerello cappuccio): Good bright red. Wild nose shows red cherry, quinine, aromatic herbs and balsamic vinegar. Big, rich and backward, with a distinctly medicinal quality to the balsamic red fruit flavors. Finishes with major mouth-clenching tannins that will need at least three years in bottle to smooth out. A much more tannic, massive Etna Rosso than usual from this estate.

Producer Commentary:
2006 Etna Rosso
Color: Red

Score: 89.0

Drinking window: 2013 - 2013

Tasting notes: The 2006 Etna Rosso (mostly Nerello Mascalese) is made from the estate's younger vines. It is a very pretty, mid-weight effort with attractive notes of tobacco, earthiness and black cherries, and an accessible personality. 

Producer Commentary:
Tenuta delle Terre Nere is one of new, emerging properties making compelling wines on Sicily's Mount Etna. Proprietors Marco and Iano de Grazia may be best known for the extensive portfolio their company represents but they are also proving to be very talented winemakers as well.
2017 Etna Rosso Moganazzi
Color: Red

Score: 92.5

Drinking window: 2020 - 2025

Tasting notes: Bright red-ruby. Clean, very mineral and floral, with juicy red/black cherry aromas and flavors. A refined, mineral wine that is very well balanced and precise. This clocks in at 14.5% alcohol, but doesn’t taste warm at all. In fact, I like this wine’s austere, mineral-tinged, long finish. Will likely improve in the bottle.

Producer Commentary:
2015 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana
Color: Red

Score: 93.0

Drinking window: 2020 - 2028

Tasting notes: Vivid medium dark red. Piercing aromas of red cherry, minerals and soy sauce. The flavors are similar to the aromas, with an underlying element of crushed rock that adds a welcome saline note contributing freshness. Very mineral round and smooth, this is atypically shaped for a Calderara Sottana Etna Rosso. Closes long with hints of orange peel, Mediterranean herbs and minerals. The bright mineral sheen and Burgundy-like aromas and flavors are typical Calderara Sottana, though this strikes me as being just a little softer and rounder than usual.

Producer Commentary:
2015 Etna Rosso
Color: Red

Score: 90.0

Drinking window: 2019 - 2022

Tasting notes: Bright red. The very fruity nose is complicated by notes of rhubarb and aromatic herbs. Then both ripe and mineral, with an underlying earthtone to its sweet luscious and ripe flavors of red fruit and wild herbs. Finishes long with noteworthy spicy bite.

Producer Commentary:
2008 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito
Color: Red

Score: 91.0

Drinking window: 0 - 0

Tasting notes: Bright dark red. Red cherry, raspberry and powdered rock on the nose; noticeably deeper and more complex than the entry-level Etna Rosso. Dense, sweet and creamy, with red berry and red cherry flavors lifted by floral and mineral components. Firm acids give the wine an attractive juicy quality and extend the flavors on the long, clean finish. This is creamier and more ready to drink than some of the other single-vineyard Terre Nere wines, but it has lovely minerality and a highly appealing juicy fruity quality.

Producer Commentary:
Also recommended: 2009 Etna Rosato (86). (A Marc de Grazia Selection; importers include Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY and Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael, CA; Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville, Illinois)
2014 Etna Rosso Guardiola
Color: Red

Score: 95.5

Drinking window: 2018 - 2025

Tasting notes: Good full red. The captivating nose combines raspberry, red currant, minerals, violet and truffle and has a penetrating quality. Then sweet, fresh and juicy, showing outstanding purity and a Nebbiolo-like texture to the red fruit, floral and sweet spice flavors. Impeccably balanced, fine-grained Etna Rosso that finishes extremely long, vibrant and suave. Guardiola is the Etna cru that most often delivers Barolo-like reds. It’s also a relatively cool site whose wines really benefit in warmer vintages, when Nerello Mascalese’s anything-but-shy tannins are able to reach optimal ripeness, giving a highly structured but magically polished wine. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this merit an even higher score in four or five years’ time.

Producer Commentary:
A Barolo lover such as Marc de Grazia couldn’t fail to grasp the immense potential of Etna relative to the possibility of bottling many different cru wines. Thanks to volcanic eruptions that occurred over the centuries and created lava stratifications of different ages and compositions, Etna can give terroir-driven wines that are truly unique depending on exactly where the grapes are grown. De Grazia has incessantly promoted the differences and characteristics of each contrada (Etna’s cru areas) he farms. And though there are many who would much rather have preferred to turn Etna into one large catch-all denomination, De Grazia deserves immense praise for having fought this, realizing that Etna and its producers were sitting on a gold mine that just needed to be accessed correctly. His red wines can rank among Italy’s best, and in Etna’s fantastic 2014 vintage many look likely to reach epic status. The Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo is always the most immediately accessible and fleshiest of his reds, the Calderara Sottana is always the most mineral and Burgundian and the Guardiola most often embodies the best of both.
2006 Guardiola
Color: Red

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 2013 - 2019

Tasting notes: The 2006 Guardiola possesses an additional level of richness in its dark cherries, roasted coffee beans, sweet spices and minerals. The wine continues to grow in the glass, showing impressive depth and persistence. Sweet notes of menthol linger on the long finish. This is a gorgeous effort from Terre Nere. 

Producer Commentary:
This lineup from Tenuta delle Terre Nere is one of the most impressive I tasted. Brothers Marc and Iano De Grazia seem to be hitting their stride with these new releases. The wines show great balance and tons of expressiveness, something that is enhanced by an enlightened use of French oak.
2006 Etna Rosso Guardiola
Color: Red

Score: 92.0

Drinking window: 0 - 0

Tasting notes: Medium ruby. Soft, sweet aromas of smoky red cherry, sexy vanilla and cream soda. Lovely juicy entry, with flavors of blueberry jam, red cherry and minerals nicely framed by fine acids and soft tannins. Finishes long and spicy, with a lovely impression of sweetness and depth. From 60-to-90-year-old vines in a north-facing vineyard 3,000 feet above sea level.

Producer Commentary:
2008 Etna Rosso Guardiola Terre Nere Sicilia
Color: Red

Score: 95.0

Drinking window: 0 - 0

Tasting notes: Bright dark red. Perfumed aromas of red berries, red cherry, mint and minerals are impressively intense and pure. Penetrating, concentrated and multilayered, with red cherry and strawberry liqueur flavors complicated by strong crushed stone and floral qualities. A very deep and complex blend, finishing subtle, spicy and very long, with substantial but rather suave tannins. Some wine lovers may feel this is just a touch too warm, but to my palate the wine's overall balance easily handles the 14% alcohol. The best-ever Guardiola.

Producer Commentary:
Also recommended: 2009 Etna Rosato (86). (A Marc de Grazia Selection; importers include Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY and Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael, CA; Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville, Illinois)
2016 Etna Rosso San Lorenzo
Color: Red

Score: 94.0

Drinking window: 2021 - 2027

Tasting notes: Good full red. Mint and cinnamon complicate pristine aromas of red/black cherry, bitter field greens and red rose petals. Enters sweet, rich and dense, then a touch austere in the middle, but with an overall easygoing quality and a building peppery nuance to the red/dark fruit flavors. Silky and very fresh, this is less steely and deep than the Guardiola, but has currently an easier to drink quality to it; more Barbaresco to Guardiola’s Barolo, if you will. The San Lorenzo is one of the Etna’s best contradas for Nerello Mascalese (in fact, it’s a grand cru for this variety, in my opinion). In a telling sign of where Etna is going market-wise, De Grazia bought a small piece of this vineyard only a few years ago in order to make a San Lorenzo with his other Etna brand, Le Vigne di Eli (named in honor of his daughter) and recalls that: “… I paid a hectare that day more than what I had paid for the ten hectares I had bought in 2001”.

Producer Commentary:
2017 Etna Rosso San Lorenzo
Color: Red

Score: 92.5

Drinking window: 2020 - 2026

Tasting notes: Vivid deep red. Perfumed sweet spice nuances complicate ripe red cherry and strawberry nectar aromas and flavors. Big, dense and juicy, with mounting tannins providing support to the ripe red fruit flavors. Very ripe and downright luscious, with a fruit-forward personality that will make this a crowd pleaser.

Producer Commentary:
2008 Moganazzi Volta Sciara Etna Rosso Le Vigne Di Eli
Color: Red

Score: 90.0

Drinking window: 0 - 0

Tasting notes: Medium bright red. Perfumed red berry aromas are complicated by orange peel, sweet spices and minerals. Offers plenty of up-front appeal, with flavors similar to the aromas. Finishes moderately long, with slightly granular tannins that will resolve with time.

Producer Commentary:
Also recommended: 2009 Etna Rosato (86). (A Marc de Grazia Selection; importers include Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY and Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael, CA; Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville, Illinois)
2018 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana
Color: Red

Score: 94.5

Drinking window: 2023 - 2032

Tasting notes: The 2018 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana keeps you at the edge of the glass, taking in its earthy yet gorgeous bouquet. Waves of crushed ashen stone, peppery herbs, blackberries and roses lift up effortlessly. This is silky in texture, with an unbelievably pure and vivid display of red fruits laced with salty minerals, as brisk acids create a sweet-and-sour tug of tension toward the close. The cheeks pucker, saturated with youthful tannin, as the 2018 Calderara Sottana clamps down hard, leaving only a hint of licorice and tart red berries in its wake. Close your eyes, and you might think this was a young, top-shelf Serralunga Barolo. 

Producer Commentary:
No other winery has done as much for the popularity and success of Mount Etna as Terre Nere; nearly any producer in the region will offer up this same opinion. Almost two decades ago, importer Marc de Grazia set out to prove that the high-altitude vineyards, diverse volcanic soils and ancient vines found on this still-active volcano could produce world-class wines of longevity. As a result of his success, a rush of producers from Sicily and abroad have worked to carve out their own piece of Mount Etna over the last ten years. Through it all, Terre Nere remains at the head of the pack, and Marc de Grazia continues to expand his portfolio by adding choice pieces of terroir, while also pushing the limits of what his original crus are capable of. The 2018 vintage, a difficult year of drastic climatic shifts and excessive rain in October, is a perfect example of how vine age and upholding exacting standards in the vineyards and winery can turn out excellent results. Are the 2018s the best wines that Terre Nere has ever made? Not at all. But will they sit comfortably and mature evenly next to the best wines Terre Nere has made? Absolutely, just not over the long term. The uncontested standouts from the 2018s crus come from Calderara Sottana, which sits between 600-700 meters in elevation with 50-100-year-old vines shooting up from black stones, so much so that you can hardly see any soil beneath its rocky surface. The two bottlings from this site, the Calderara Sottana and the Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino (from a selection of 140+ year-old vines from within the cru), are, without a doubt, two of the wines of the vintage. As for a preview of the 2019s, the straight Etna Rosso speaks volumes about the potential of the Cru reds. On top of that, Carricante was extremely successful, but at yields that were reduced by 40-50% due to the onset of coulure. Despite that, Marc de Grazia decided to bottle not only his cru old-vine Biancos, but also just 3,000 bottles of the Cuvée della Vigne Niche Superiore: a gorgeous expression. However, for my tastes, it’s Calderara Sottana once again steals the show. In the end, this is a producer that never rests, never stops looking to improve, and is constantly innovating and thinking outside the box, hence the respect that Terre Nere has earned and holds to this very day.

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