Expect red cherry, raspberry, dried herb, volcanic minerality, leather, and a touch of forest floor with medium body, refined structured tannins, and bright acidity. Etna Rosso is often compared to Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo for its elegance and structure. The 2015 Italian vintage was good.
- Varietal
- Nerello Mascalese-dominant Etna Rosso (typically with small percentages of Nerello Cappuccio)
- Region
- Italy / Sicily / Etna
- Body
- Medium
- Style
- dry red, volcanic, distinctive, age-worthy, food-friendly
The producer
Alta Mora is the Etna-focused project from Cusumano, one of Sicily's most respected modern producers. The estate sits on the slopes of Mount Etna, where ancient pre-phylloxera vines grow on volcanic soils. Etna Rosso has emerged in recent decades as one of Italy's most distinctive and acclaimed regional reds.
What critics say
Alta Mora's Etna Rosso receives consistently strong reviews as a benchmark expression of this distinctive volcanic-soil red.
Pairing
Grilled lamb chops, mushroom risotto, light pastas with meat