Tenuta delle Terre Nere Etna Rosso DOC 2021
Tenuta delle Terre Nere
Marc de Grazia's estate wines from Etna's northern slopes have done more than almost anyone to redefine Sicilian wine's identity. This base Etna Rosso—from vines at 600–900 meters on volcanic soil—delivers a clarity of fruit and terroir that many wines at three times the price can't match. Nerello Mascalese proves once again it belongs in the conversation with Nebbiolo and Pinot Noir.
Nose
Bright red cherry and crushed wild berry mingle with delicate rose petal and a distinct volcanic mineral note. A gentle herbal quality and a hint of dried mint add complexity without weight.
Palate
Ethereal and lifted on entry, with cherry and berry fruit carried on fine-grained tannins. The volcanic terroir manifests as a stony, almost saline minerality that runs the length of the palate. There's a subtle smokiness and a whisper of green pepper that keeps it savory.
Finish
Long and persistent with lingering cherry, mineral tension, and dried floral notes.
- Varietal
- Nerello Mascalese
- Blend
- 98% Nerello Mascalese, 2% Nerello Cappuccio
- Vineyards
- Multiple contrade on Etna's northern slope, 600–900m elevation
- Alcohol
- 13.5%
- Organic / Biodynamic
- No
Food Pairing
The classic Sicilian dish of fried eggplant with tomato sauce and ricotta salata echoes the wine's savory-sweet tension, with the smoky eggplant complementing the volcanic mineral character.
Belgian-American wine merchant Marc de Grazia established Tenuta delle Terre Nere on Mount Etna's northern slopes in 2002, cultivating pre-phylloxera Nerello Mascalese vines in volcanic soils at elevations up to 1,000 meters.
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