Etna Rosso: faded in the glass, rich and smokey on the nose. Restrained on the palate, dried petals and berry skins. Cranberry. Some tertiary flavours, wisps of mushroom. Short finish. Obviously the oldest wine on the day and suitably gentle. But didn't excite me. But the grape obviously has aging potential
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
unevolved and all elbows with little fruit to give any sense of finesse. not sure if its too young or too old, but its awkward as heck and difficult to explain how it once was quite enjoyable
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
clear in color, and showing leather and espresso in balance with dried cherry. fragrant and tannins soft. its in peak drinking now, though I wouldn't wait longer the fruit is just present and I wouldn't want any less
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Light colored, aromatic wine with lifted scents of red cherry and roses. Very tart and intense attack, shrill and lemony. Not sure how much this fruit had to begin with, but it’s all dried up now… okay, air and deeper pours into the bottle help a lot, sweetening and deepening the palate substantially. Still acidic and lithe. Bouquet sweetens up as well, veering towards kitsch. All in all, a disjointed, rough around the edge, heady wine that in the end I enjoy as a bistro styled wine best suited to robust, simple food.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
At a business lunch - I brought a bottle and we pnp'd. Dark red fruit on the nose. The palate was dark cherry, plum, tobacco and a hint of spice. The finish was moderate to long. I believe a couple of hours in a decanter would have dramatically raised the score.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drinking at its peak right now. Extraordinary balanced flavor profile of minerals, red fruits and unique savory qualities: tobacco and even a hint of black tea. A beautiful example of Sicilian terroir.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nice upon opening. Very, very light smooth red fruited, earthy and for lack of better word, burgundian... for the first hour. After that it became a bit disjointed and plummy, jammy flavors emerged. Wont rate this as it may not have been stored properly.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Color like a Burgundy, a light garnet, watery rim, nose: red fruit, raspberry/strawberry jam, but also mineral/flint, medium acid, medium finish, medium tannin.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I can honestly say that I wouldn't place this wine in Sicily if I had it blind. The color is right, but the nose has a floral tone (like roses) that is different. The palate is more akin to what I would expect - light-bodied, good acidity - but the disjoint with the nose would not have me guessing Etna Rosso.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Saying good by to my last of 9 stellar btls at age 10. PnP about 90 minutes prior to dinner and found it pretty ready to go so just slow oxed in my burg glass and btl. One of my favorite producers that always punches well over its $32 price point. Pale translucent red. Terrific autumnal, spice and berry aromas. Wine doesn't get any more weightless, ethereal and lacy then this. The texture is marvelous! There is intensity but balanced by its prettiness. Red fruit, spice underbrush and rainwater fresh minerality. This definitely is uniquely its own thing but there is nod to Chambolle and Barbaresco here to. Squarely in MY wheelhouse, others will be less wowed by its subtly. Label states 14% alc but you'd never know it. Terrific wine from the slopes of one of the world's most active volcanos!
This has entered the zone. Quite nice on PnP, second half saved for night two became perfectly elegant. No reason to think this won’t continue to develop for a few more years, but nothing wrong with drinking now. Nothing at all.
bright ruby color, still youthful, smokey with berries, fills out with time in the glass and more cherry comes out. Nice and flexible with a variety of Mediterranean dishes - Nerello Mascalese
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pale red. Juicy cranberry and pomegranate notes. Bright acidity, well balanced with the medium bodied fruit. Paired terrifically with a tomato based pasta dish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
An expressive, pure and attractive nose of red berries, crushed rocks, and mint. Light to medium bodied, red fruits, rocks, sprightly acids, chalky yet lightweight tannins on the midpalate, refreshing and with good length. Elegant and beautiful - really hit the spot. 14% ABV. Drinking so well now. Two bottles remaining, try next one 2021 as an experiment.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Onklers Grand Cru Tasting Spring 2018; 4/20/2018-4/22/2018 (Tord): Blind! Light red transparent. Honey tones and light juicy fruit. Sweet. Candy. Candy tones formally leaps out of the glass. The palate is similar and with sour fruit/redcurrants. At the same time a little structure that confuses a bit. Guessed Gamay and Beajoulais. Had never guessed Sicily.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Informal notes, but surprisingly ordinary. C: Ruby. N: Cranberry, light raspberry and faint earth and bramble. P: Light-medium body, light cranberry, red cherry and bramble. F: Short-medium. Overall, this was ordinary and not very compelling, especially for the price. Certainly a decent wine, but not a re-buy at $36. Also, I'd don't see this getting any better, for my palate.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Continuing the trend of the previous bottle, this one is significantly amber tinged, the fruit has largely receded and the there is a pronounced and dominating mature ash note. Challenging at first, it’s charms grew on me.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
From my cellar and poured at Wine Watch last week. Very "aged-Barolo-like" with noticeable bricking on the rim, yet it's only seven years old. It speaks to the lack of capacity for longevity of Nerello (both varietals), despite this wine's high quality. Still, it was a very interesting bottle that got people talking and I am glad I opened it for a small crowd. Tar and dry cherry were at the forefront, with fine tannin. Drink now. I would not hold to see where it goes.
Not decanted, consumed over ~1 1/2 hours at a restaurant...just a quick impression here. Slightly tart but juicy cherry with a hint of cranberry or pomegranate, roasted root veggies, minerality, a whiff of middle eastern spice. Well balanced and food-friendly. Good stuff, drinking well now.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
An excellent example of how a red wine does not have to be bigger to be better. Can see through an inch pour. Inviting smell of black plum and cherry. Far more impressive with the first sip - smooth texture, surprising concentration, firm and drying tannin that is not astringent or overwhelming, and refreshing but not tart acidity. The swallow generates a tasty spike of everything earlier that coats the entire mouth and persists for minutes. Overall, an elegant, enjoyable, and satisfying alternative from a grape and region in Italy that usually features dark and heavy wines.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Ripe strawberry and cherries, cinnamon, and fennel on the nose, the aromas gently waft out like a Gevrey from a ripe vintage. Silky entry, flavours of dried herb and strawberry balance on a knife edge, a touch above medium bodied, firm grainy tannins kick in on the midpalate and continue to a savoury, herb/coffee finish.
I'd guess that the savoury notes will continue to amplify from now on, the tannins will be around for a while yet. Will try another bottle in 1-2 years time.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
good with or without food - smooth - light color but wine is slightly chewy. I like that! Gave as a gift to Dave Elhund - 'where can I get more of that?'
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pale red. Mouthwatering level of juicy acidity. Pomegranate and tart cherry fruit. A bit forward right now- this needs a bit of time for the fruit and acidity to be in better balance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
translucent rose and blood colors. nose of ash and cocoa dust i have come to expect from etna nerello. some sweet red berry too. palate acidic with some light, burned out fruit. plenty of earth and volcanic tannin left. this will hold but doubt it develops better flavor balance or complexity. nice terroir but there are better to be had in the region.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Labor Day Party: Slow-ox 1 hr, tasted over 2 hrs -nearly semi-translucent light med red -lifted red berry and a little spice -med acidity, med- weight with good depth, red berry, med+ chalky volcanic tannins and a bit of heat on finish -seems a little out of balance
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pretty transparent pale almost pink in color. I like this just as much as previous bottles. This should hold a bit longer, but no need to wait. I think this as good as it will get.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
At Pietro's with Chief. Remarkably pale colored. Showing subdued red fruit, great minerality and an enhancing ash note from the lava-infused soil. Splendid and food friendly but not as complex or broad as prior bottles.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Translucent ruby color. Perfumed but still a little reticent notes of pure red berries, smoke, crushed rocks, flowers, sweet herbs. It's medium-lighter bodied and feels weightless, has medium+ tannin and good medium-high acidity. Good length. A very elegant, complex and pretty Etna rosso that perfectly reflects its place of origin. This is showing very beautifully right now but will probably also age for a few more years.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bright red fruit with ample levels of acidity, pairing it well with food. Depending on the vinification, some bottles of Nerello Mascalese can certainly masquerade as village/regional level Burgundy or perhaps some Piedmont wines - you may not be able to pick one out in a lineup. A very enjoyable bottle with the right dish, to play off the pleasingly acidic profile. I've sampled more complex Nerello wines, and this seems to be a little on the pricey side for an entry level offering by a Sicilian producer.
I served this in my wine course. Fragrant high pitched nose that reminds me of Cote de Beaune. Light weight mid palate. Good minerality on the finish. Continues to drink like Burgundy texturally in the mouth and finish. Very enjoyable.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
My love affair continues with my 8th btl from this vintage. I rarely buy more than 4 btls of any wine. After trying several of the more gritty producer, Terre Nere's Mt Etna Rosso I was about to give up on Mt Etna Rosso then, I found this wine. PnP in a Burg glass. Blind it would be hard to peg this as Burgundy or Barbaresco. Kind of a mythical blend of the two. A little more tannin and iron than most Burgs but all of the grace and aromatics of a Chambolle. Pomegranate freshness and berry juiciness combined with a solid bead of minerality. For me, this is the king of Mt Etna Rosso and a total bargain for around $28-$32. I'd love to see this wine in a blind line up with either Burgs or Barabesco. 92+
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
one hour plus decant, started with crunch red fruit and added to this an element of softer darker almost suet texture and flavor, smokey maybe. Enjoy this element.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very pale color, with a bricky orange shade. Light bodied with red fruits and a menthol edge. I didn't get the volcanic mineral notes I remember before. Good acid. Ann didn't like this much at first but it grew on her. A nice change of pace.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pop and pour and served with food (penne a la pomodoro e baslico, in case you were wondering). Light ruby red color. Nose is of fresh raspberries and earth. Light in mouthfeel but with depth of flavor. Fresh crushed berries, some earth notes (tastes like the smell of rocks) and fresh citrus. Very impressive. Fresh and lively and inviting. Delicious.
Note: A much improved showing from the wine I had a year ago. That could be from a combination of serving/tasting environment or a matching of food.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This opened up flat and tasteless, but after an hour... NICE! My first taste of this varietal, and it reminded me of a pinot noir but with more body/structure. Smooth and elegant, with additional herbal aromas on top of the slight berry.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bright acid. The red fruit is fresh and vibrant. There is a touch of sweet spice, menthol and minerality that carries through. This is really lip smacking and delicious with good concentration.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Red fruit and lots of minerality in both nose and mouth. Medium long taste and acidity. Will be intersting to follow, try again in 2 years. Needs food...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Workshop Faculty Dinner (My House, Denver, CO): Decanted 45 minutes. Translucent garnet. Light red berries, cherry, floral and spice notes on the nose. Medium/light fruit weight on the palate with excellent red fruit expression. Slightly tense with bright acidity and sharp tannins that were not intrusive. Screams for a food pairing and we got a great one with the green garlic/thyme risotto.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Camphor on the nose. On the palate, candied cherry and strawberry followed by hints of cinnamon (?) and white pepper, with a prickly tannic bite on the medium to long finish. This starts out transparent red, but darkens with air. Interesting stuff -- it reminds me a bit of one of Cornelissen's experiments. Average value for the money.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Didn't really get a chance to enjoy this much as a bit of stomach flu still lurks from yesterday. Neither food nor wine have been much fun since Friday night. Hoping tomorrow is a new day.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
PopnPour, tasted over 3 hrs -semi-translucent light/light-med red, looks like a Burg -somewhat reticent dusty, volcanic rock, earth, subtle red fruit -unique mouthfeel with lower acidity and lighter body but a round almost lush texture, very slightly medicinal red fruit and a hint of black pepper, soft but abundant tannins engulf the palate -interesting, very good, no idea how it will age
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Really nice on initial PnP, then went sideways after about 30 minutes of air, shutting down hard. Put the cork back in, then left it alone for two days, coming back on Night 3, where it had opened up nicely, but still displaying acidity and firm tannins. Will forget my other bottles exist for a few years.
Medium-bodied, structured, with tightly coiled red fruits (pomegranate, cherry skin) against a backdrop of pine needles, ash and dusty soil. Aerated to decanter 3 hours, and this was still pretty tight. Worked well with King Salmon, but I'll wait 3-4 years before considering opening the next one; I think it's headed into a phase. Rather serious now, or at least tonight's bottle was.
Served non-blind.
https://italianwine.blog/
10 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
I liked tonight's btl a little less than previous. Tonight's blt seemed a little more mature and showing more earth and less of the lovely fruit I've loved in previous btls. This wasn't tons different but I found it less charming and almost chianti like.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pop and pour and served in Govino plastic cups while sailing. Light in texture. Shows some elegance but a bit too acidic at this point. I expect this will improve with some bottle age. Shows some tart cherries and strawberries along with a note of volcanic rock.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
PnP, served with dinner, finished later in the night. Oh so nice almost Pinot like with its weight, balance and intensity. Nice cherry/raspberry, crushed rock, hint of forest floor and spiciness on the finish. Need more of this but will be a challenge to sit on them as it is so in our wheelhouse.
Offers neither the depth nor the focus of the single vineyard Rampante but with a bit of air, this put on an impressive show. Doesn't scream Burgundy like the R and there is an element of rusticity but a fine drink that is highly cooperative at the dinner table.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bought after hearing all the comparisons to Chambolle, which turn out to be apt only as it relates to the smooth texture of this wine. Otherwise, this wine is much more savory than Chambolle of similar age. Likeable but not sure if I will rush to buy more at the $38 price level.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Delicious. Cherry, mint, wet slate and crushed rocks! Light color and body but wonderful bouquet and flavor! Nice acidity and minerality, really wonderful.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Another great btl and universally liked last night I think. See my May notes for details. Still think this reminds me a lot of Mugnier Chambolle but slightly sweeter on the finish. Such a steal!
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nose of cherry, orange peel, spicy florals, vanilla, and a minerality I can only describe as volcanic. Juicy, red-fruited palate with minerally acids, and fine, yet firm tannins. Potential for improvement, but the balance is there now for drinking with food.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Others have described as a cross between burgundy and barolo. To me, it tastes like a cross between burgundy and a cool year, lighter zinfandel. It has that spiciness you find in zinfandel but is more akin to burgundy overall. Quite enjoyable and an excellent value.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tried one last night. I'm definitely in the Pinot-Piedmont call on this, stylistically.
Quite bright and lithe, yet with plenty of firm tannins on the finish. Very nice right now, with pretty aromatics and cherry fruits. I'd like to try this again in 5 years, as I can imagine this deepening and developing. B/B+ for current drinking.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
A little over a year later and this wine is even more intriguing by a fair margin. Tonight, after open for a couple hours, it also had that amazing autumnal Burg nose we all crave so badly. Again drinking like a $100+ Chambolle from Mugnier. Lacy elegance, spice and red fruit in spades. Very pretty! Grabbed 3 more today.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
A vey interesting red. Moderate color with a tint of orange. Nice, light red nose of red fruit and spice. Nice red fruit flavor with spices and minerality. Over time the flavor profile is relatively constant but long lived. My first experience with this grape thanks to the CT Smackdown. Will seek more!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
The first of three bottles on a nice evening of food and wine. Started with a 2011 Charles Hours Jurançon Sec Cuvée Marie, a 2001 Giacosa Barolo, then this wine. I really liked it. Lighter and prettier that I would have expected, great texture. Floral, ash/minerals, herbs, raspberries/red cherries, good acidity, and soft tannins. Lovely. My first Passopiciaro, glad I bought a few more. I have been digging small Sicilian producers for several years and hope to find more of their wines.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Some wines are great for a causal glass on the couch; some are nice with dinner, and some demand food. This is one of the latter - alone, it's a high-acid tannin wall that seems dumb on the palate and uninteresting. With dinner (rack of lamb over spring pea risotto with roasted carrots and onions) this wine sings with a full throat. It opens up to reveal layers and layers of restrained red fruit, citrus, rocks, earth and mushroom while retaining the palate refreshing acidity. You wouldn't believe it was the same wine. I don't know that I've ever had a wine that changed as much with food - and boy is it worth it. Perfect with the meal.
Colour: Light cranberry red in colour. Reminds me of an Burgundy Pinot Noir. Nose: Red fruit like red cherry, cranberry, apple skin, pomelo and orange zest mixed with an incredible volcan ash, earthy, dusty component. But need some time to open up. Much more "old world" than "new world" style. Palate: Kick-ass acidity is the first thing that came to mind when putting this juice in your mouth. Again red fruit driven with an extremly mineral kick on the mid-palate. Lovely texture and tannin structure. Medium-bodied, the alcohol is very well integrated although 14% alc, maybe just a little bit of heat on the back-end.
Really, really good bottle of red wine. Will pair with an enormous amount of food. Shows the potenital that slumbers in the sicilian soil. Excatly the stlye I prefer. Love it!
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Russk. The comparison to burgundy is apt. Light translucent strawberry color. Nose of red fruit, crushed rock, a touch of iron. Carbonic mouth. 90-. Probably too young.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Rather tasty wine, lots of red fruits in a nicely delineated package, good balance, some volcanic/minerally elements, all on a lightweight frame that I recognize to be the hallmark of these volcanic Sicilian wines - i.e., good fruit, interesting palate, without heaviness. Liz noted lots of spices on the palate. In Hallandale, at a terrific family bar-b-que.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
A unique and intensely intriguing wine. It has the color and translucency of cranberry juice.
Complex bouquet of flowers, volcanic minerality, red and summer fruits, Mediterranean spices, garrigue, sanguinity, and smokehouse.
Concentrated palate, particularly striking given the light color, lively acidity. Deep and complex taste profile. Red fruits, floral elements, and herbal teas dominate the attack. The mid palate reveals CdP-like elements, including smoked meats, black teas, and tar notes, along with volcanic and sanguine elements. Tannins clamp down nicely at the back and hold on through a long and enjoyable finish. Charming yet deceptively structured; this a substantive and complex offering. It will likely improve with aging.
Clear bright ruby color; Floral and cherry fruit aromas with cranberry, and red fruit flavors. It had a very interesting mineral and slightly tannic finish. Balanced but still young and could use a couple of years to better integrate. It doesn't seem to have the structure for long-term aging but others may know better with this varietal. ~$35 usd
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
About two months since my last "visit" with this wine, the normale from Passopisciaro. Probably even a shade lighter in the glass that the '11 Sciaranuova. Reticent on the nose right now, just some cool menthol.
Really coats the palate - very "flavorful", nice acidity, a little tannic bite on the finish. I have no idea how these wines might age - I guess in that regard no one really does because the producer is relatively new to Etna. But the wines are quite delicious young, so if I don't start hiding a few bottles, I'll never find out either ;^)
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Started off a bit thin/shut down but put on some weight and added aromatic power over the first 2 of 4+ hours in the decanter. Cranberry, apple skin, and rosewater with a volcanic twist of bitter chocolate and a Nebbiolo like mushroom quality. A more feminine wine than I generally drink, but I really liked it. Will pair well with many foods as it did with leftover meaty pasta. I'm guessing that this will harmonize in the bottle and show its best around 2017; not sure this has the stones for long term aging, but this bottle performed somewhat unevenly so it might not have shown all its cards. 91 is a high water mark sort of score.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
I tried this wine on multiple occasions and was pleased every time. Full of juicy strawberries and cherries, ripe but lively. Long bright finish. Lovely sweet oak aromas and flavors, which are rather dominant really, but they suit this wine well.
Edit after reading others' reviews: yes, I agree with cranberry.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nose: The nose was a little tight at first, but then opened up into red fruits, cherries, volcanic ash undertones, leather, and a touch of earth tones. There is medium depth to it with good balance as well.
Taste: Medium/light bodied with noticeable tannins and medium+ acidity. The feel is well balanced with red cherries, volcanic ash, red fruits, and leather notes.
Overall: This is extremely enjoyable and drinkable. There is a very attractive red fruit core with a ashy base.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Light translucent ruby in the glass; I think I had a similar comment when I first tried this wine two months ago, but the color is that of a Nebbiolo with about 20-30 years of age.
Cool, crisp red fruits on the nose, like a blend of cherry & cranberry. Just popped & poured, and while the nose is one-dimensional, the fruit is pretty alluring.
Light weight and elegant on the palate, with a tannic bite on the finish. Bright acidity - this needs food (and clearly more time in bottle) to show it's best, but for the price this is a pretty impressive wine.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Lovely garnet color. Crisp, tart, and bracing as an aperitif. Then mellowed and opened into dinner, pairing well with a shrimp and sausage gumbo. The acidity balanced well against the mild spice, offering a refreshing combination to the stew and a lingering fruity, earthy warmth on the finish.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
All'inizio un bel frutto maturo, spezie, macchia mediterranea e una leggera nota sulfurea che con il tempo e l'aria diventa il tono predominante. La bocca ha carattere, buona acidità, tannino leggero ma ben calibrato. Un vino del sud che viene dalla montagna, si sente. Essenziale.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Sydney Italian Wine Festival - Etna Masterclass: Plum, kirsch, musk and perfumed floral notes. The palate is medium bodied, and the fruit shines with vibrancy. The tannins do show through but they aren't obtrusive to me.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very light in color. Muted nose. Medium body wine. Still tastes a bit primary to my palate. I like the red fruits here as well as the acids and tannins. Tasty. It will be interesting to see how this wine evolves.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Light translucent ruby in the glass; nice, precise nose of red fruit (cranberry? raspberry? Definitely not cherry).
Light-bodied, elegant, some tannic kick on the finish, sweet & sour fruits - pretty nice. My first experience with this producer, but it won't be the last.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
sweet nose with a touch of smoke silky, like Pinot Noir, ripe fruit but very dry elegant, some grip I love these Etna reds, such beautiful wines, lovely texture Would have loved to drink the whole bottle over an evening
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Interesting bottle. Disarmingly light, burgundian. Smokey. Volcanic soil. Gains weight with air, and perhaps better day 2. Much more transparent and weightless than Terre Nere. As the Monkees sang, I'm a beliver
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very subtle wine. Light color and intensity, definitely akin to Pinot. Lovely aromatics. Cherries and dust. Very present acidity and firm tannins at this stage. Dusty and mineral. Hold, hold, hold.
Riesling Tasting: Cranberry, smoky meat, kirsch - nice perfume. Light to medium bodied, sprightly and spicy palate. There is some tannin influence evident and I think age will serve this well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Quite enjoyable, though possibly not overly complex, maybe that's at least part of the pleasure. I largely agree with Darinc, this is a good QPR, if you like the style. I also agree that it has characteristics of PN and of Nebbiolo, making it an intriguing taste sense.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Parfymert nese med jordbær, kirsebær, knust stein, eukalyptus og blyantspiss. Nokså bløtt anslag, men med en ungdommelig brutalitet i syre og tanniner. Ren og saftig frukt, i hovedsak syrlige røde bær og urter. God konsentrasjon, med en tydelig salt avslutning. 89-90p.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted 90 minutes and drank over 3 hours. Pretty nose with crisp red fruits and dried herbs, sweet on front of palate with strawberries, delicious acidity and earthy tannins on the finish. A delicious Nerello Mascalese that continued to open through the evening and a good value.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Strawberry and tart red cherry aromas come across with a lean character, ever-so-slightly reminiscent of Pinot Noir. Very elegant aromas and flavors with a clean, pristine palate. Well textured as well. Good now. Kept expanding in length and depth through the first couple of hours open tonight, but the tart character never really softened.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Perfumed nose of strawberries, cranberries and flowers. Clean, refreshing palate dominated by crushed strawberries, with some cranberry, a touch of red plum and earth, a dash of spices, and some minerals. Discrete oak treatment. Fine, grippy tannins carry the fresh fruit filled, slightly saline, finish on and on. I didn't get any heat like some other CT tasters. Best after 20 min in the glass. A great wine for the $ if you like this style.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
PnP. This wine would be fun in a blind tasting trying to decide if its PN or Nebiolo! It certainly shows the perfumed, often weightless elegance of both grapes. Still youthfully primary but I suspect this will evolve with greater nuance still down the road. Bright red fruit, spice and minerality on a Chambolle frame. I like it very much and the btl emptied quickly on the deck with mixed grill. Paid $33, making this a very solid value. Fun to tell the wife we're drinking wine from the shoulders of Mt Etna.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Passopisciaro Tasting (Zeppoli (Collingswood New Jersey)): I found all of the Passopisciaro wines to have stellar acidity. Clean focused wines. This was enjoyable and easy to drink. Surprisingly pale color but exhibits a good bit of red fruit and bramble. A touch of forest floor.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Again, wonderful aromatics of Nerello Mascalese (100%), with crushed strawberries and darker minerals. Surprisingly primary, with a bit of alcohol and some toasted oak. This seemed to lack the freshness and zesty drive of other Nerello wines I have sampled. Other tasters have not noted the oak and alcohol, and makes me wonder if there is some variation in the barrels, and this bottle just happened to arrive on that end of the spectrum. I agree with Beerzebub's notes. Will hold my other bottle for several years to see if these elements settle down.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Fairly closed nose, mild red fruit with some sooty rocks and hints of cocoa, flowers and heat. Cranberry and pie cherry on the palate, with a mild floral element, good acidity, and some rocky minerality. Reasonably refreshing, though a bit hot. Pretty enjoyable overall, except that the price was $35; half that would seem about right.
Doesn't get any more interesting over 3+ hours. Shows the terroir at a simple level and is enjoyable enough to drink, but that's it. Not very characterful or complex given the price, and also not as fresh and light as it might be with less heat; stuck somewhere in between.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
11/11/2023 - Alien wrote: 91 Points
Etna Rosso: faded in the glass, rich and smokey on the nose. Restrained on the palate, dried petals and berry skins. Cranberry. Some tertiary flavours, wisps of mushroom. Short finish. Obviously the oldest wine on the day and suitably gentle. But didn't excite me. But the grape obviously has aging potential
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/5/2023 - vintage_whine wrote:
unevolved and all elbows with little fruit to give any sense of finesse. not sure if its too young or too old, but its awkward as heck and difficult to explain how it once was quite enjoyable
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/17/2022 - vintage_whine wrote:
clear in color, and showing leather and espresso in balance with dried cherry. fragrant and tannins soft. its in peak drinking now, though I wouldn't wait longer the fruit is just present and I wouldn't want any less
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/10/2022 - blanquito wrote:
Light colored, aromatic wine with lifted scents of red cherry and roses. Very tart and intense attack, shrill and lemony. Not sure how much this fruit had to begin with, but it’s all dried up now… okay, air and deeper pours into the bottle help a lot, sweetening and deepening the palate substantially. Still acidic and lithe. Bouquet sweetens up as well, veering towards kitsch. All in all, a disjointed, rough around the edge, heady wine that in the end I enjoy as a bistro styled wine best suited to robust, simple food.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/6/2022 - markcic Likes this wine: 91 Points
At a business lunch - I brought a bottle and we pnp'd. Dark red fruit on the nose. The palate was dark cherry, plum, tobacco and a hint of spice. The finish was moderate to long. I believe a couple of hours in a decanter would have dramatically raised the score.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/10/2021 - Cooky474 wrote: 90 Points
PnP with home made pizzas.
The last of a case of 6 of these and they will be missed.
Very light in colour, but with a power that belies that appearance.
Very balanced, lots of red fruits, streak of volcanic minerality and good length.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/31/2021 - MadeiraLev Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drinking at its peak right now. Extraordinary balanced flavor profile of minerals, red fruits and unique savory qualities: tobacco and even a hint of black tea. A beautiful example of Sicilian terroir.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/27/2021 - olalar wrote: 91 Points
Drinks perfectly. Red berries and minerality. Long finish. Elegant but concentrated.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/18/2020 - ericindc Likes this wine:
Nice upon opening. Very, very light smooth red fruited, earthy and for lack of better word, burgundian... for the first hour. After that it became a bit disjointed and plummy, jammy flavors emerged. Wont rate this as it may not have been stored properly.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/25/2020 - DrZett wrote: flawed
Unfortunately corked. :-(
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/22/2020 - worldtraveler1987 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Color like a Burgundy, a light garnet, watery rim, nose: red fruit, raspberry/strawberry jam, but also mineral/flint, medium acid, medium finish, medium tannin.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/9/2020 - Bob H wrote:
I can honestly say that I wouldn't place this wine in Sicily if I had it blind. The color is right, but the nose has a floral tone (like roses) that is different. The palate is more akin to what I would expect - light-bodied, good acidity - but the disjoint with the nose would not have me guessing Etna Rosso.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/28/2020 - chablis28 wrote: 94 Points
Saying good by to my last of 9 stellar btls at age 10. PnP about 90 minutes prior to dinner and found it pretty ready to go so just slow oxed in my burg glass and btl. One of my favorite producers that always punches well over its $32 price point. Pale translucent red. Terrific autumnal, spice and berry aromas. Wine doesn't get any more weightless, ethereal and lacy then this. The texture is marvelous! There is intensity but balanced by its prettiness. Red fruit, spice underbrush and rainwater fresh minerality. This definitely is uniquely its own thing but there is nod to Chambolle and Barbaresco here to. Squarely in MY wheelhouse, others will be less wowed by its subtly. Label states 14% alc but you'd never know it. Terrific wine from the slopes of one of the world's most active volcanos!
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (4)
1/15/2020 - Fugu Me Likes this wine:
This has entered the zone. Quite nice on PnP, second half saved for night two became perfectly elegant. No reason to think this won’t continue to develop for a few more years, but nothing wrong with drinking now. Nothing at all.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
2/23/2019 - vindictive wrote:
bright ruby color, still youthful, smokey with berries, fills out with time in the glass and more cherry comes out. Nice and flexible with a variety of Mediterranean dishes - Nerello Mascalese
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/1/2018 - mjf@ulkner wrote: 92 Points
Pale red. Juicy cranberry and pomegranate notes. Bright acidity, well balanced with the medium bodied fruit. Paired terrifically with a tomato based pasta dish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/8/2018 - lightning wrote: 91 Points
An expressive, pure and attractive nose of red berries, crushed rocks, and mint. Light to medium bodied, red fruits, rocks, sprightly acids, chalky yet lightweight tannins on the midpalate, refreshing and with good length. Elegant and beautiful - really hit the spot. 14% ABV. Drinking so well now. Two bottles remaining, try next one 2021 as an experiment.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/24/2018 - Outplaying wrote:
Talula's Table with a few Berserkers - Late Summer menu: I enjoyed this wine. It is light in color and light bodied, but the wine smells nice and bright. I loved the nose. Mint, ash and red fruits.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/1/2018 - pren wrote: 89 Points
Good, some warmth,
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/20/2018 - Torchy wrote: 90 Points
Onklers Grand Cru Tasting Spring 2018; 4/20/2018-4/22/2018 (Tord): Blind! Light red transparent. Honey tones and light juicy fruit. Sweet. Candy. Candy tones formally leaps out of the glass. The palate is similar and with sour fruit/redcurrants. At the same time a little structure that confuses a bit. Guessed Gamay and Beajoulais. Had never guessed Sicily.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/10/2018 - wforster2@gmail.com Likes this wine: 94 Points
Blue Apron - BBQ Pork Loin dinner :--)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/8/2018 - RDHudak wrote: 91 Points
Informal notes, but surprisingly ordinary. C: Ruby. N: Cranberry, light raspberry and faint earth and bramble. P: Light-medium body, light cranberry, red cherry and bramble. F: Short-medium. Overall, this was ordinary and not very compelling, especially for the price. Certainly a decent wine, but not a re-buy at $36. Also, I'd don't see this getting any better, for my palate.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/27/2017 - VDLT Wine Likes this wine:
Continuing the trend of the previous bottle, this one is significantly amber tinged, the fruit has largely receded and the there is a pronounced and dominating mature ash note. Challenging at first, it’s charms grew on me.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/8/2017 - Simoncino wrote: 88 Points
From my cellar and poured at Wine Watch last week. Very "aged-Barolo-like" with noticeable bricking on the rim, yet it's only seven years old. It speaks to the lack of capacity for longevity of Nerello (both varietals), despite this wine's high quality. Still, it was a very interesting bottle that got people talking and I am glad I opened it for a small crowd. Tar and dry cherry were at the forefront, with fine tannin. Drink now. I would not hold to see where it goes.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
6/18/2017 - RussK wrote: 92 Points
Russk. Expats at Kenn and Andrea house. This was one of the wines of the night. Burgundy like transparency. Barolo like texture. Delicious.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
6/15/2017 - tb_baltimore Likes this wine: 92 Points
Was curious to try our 2nd bottle -- roughly 4-years along from the first one -- this has aged wonderfully and is at an excellent drinking window --
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/10/2017 - bretrooks wrote:
Not decanted, consumed over ~1 1/2 hours at a restaurant...just a quick impression here. Slightly tart but juicy cherry with a hint of cranberry or pomegranate, roasted root veggies, minerality, a whiff of middle eastern spice. Well balanced and food-friendly. Good stuff, drinking well now.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/30/2017 - Mossrose wrote: 92 Points
An excellent example of how a red wine does not have to be bigger to be better. Can see through an inch pour. Inviting smell of black plum and cherry. Far more impressive with the first sip - smooth texture, surprising concentration, firm and drying tannin that is not astringent or overwhelming, and refreshing but not tart acidity. The swallow generates a tasty spike of everything earlier that coats the entire mouth and persists for minutes. Overall, an elegant, enjoyable, and satisfying alternative from a grape and region in Italy that usually features dark and heavy wines.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/6/2017 - lightning wrote: 89 Points
Popped and poured.
Ripe strawberry and cherries, cinnamon, and fennel on the nose, the aromas gently waft out like a Gevrey from a ripe vintage. Silky entry, flavours of dried herb and strawberry balance on a knife edge, a touch above medium bodied, firm grainy tannins kick in on the midpalate and continue to a savoury, herb/coffee finish.
I'd guess that the savoury notes will continue to amplify from now on, the tannins will be around for a while yet. Will try another bottle in 1-2 years time.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/4/2017 - wforster2@gmail.com Likes this wine: 94 Points
good with or without food - smooth - light color but wine is slightly chewy. I like that!
Gave as a gift to Dave Elhund - 'where can I get more of that?'
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/30/2017 - amateurwino wrote:
Notes consistent with prior bottle, savory with some nuanced beauty.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/29/2017 - AudunG wrote: 89 Points
Very light, brick red. Burgundy like aromas with some smoke and ash. Super elegant, but lean, and a bit low concentration.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/25/2017 - mjf@ulkner wrote: 91 Points
Pale red. Mouthwatering level of juicy acidity. Pomegranate and tart cherry fruit. A bit forward right now- this needs a bit of time for the fruit and acidity to be in better balance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/2/2016 - bps2266 wrote: 89 Points
translucent rose and blood colors. nose of ash and cocoa dust i have come to expect from etna nerello. some sweet red berry too. palate acidic with some light, burned out fruit. plenty of earth and volcanic tannin left. this will hold but doubt it develops better flavor balance or complexity. nice terroir but there are better to be had in the region.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/14/2016 - wforster2@gmail.com Likes this wine: 90 Points
great gift @ $32.00
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/11/2016 - Saint Stephen wrote: 92 Points
Lovely and fragrant on our 19th wedding anniversary.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/4/2016 - Cote d'Or wrote:
Labor Day Party: Slow-ox 1 hr, tasted over 2 hrs
-nearly semi-translucent light med red
-lifted red berry and a little spice
-med acidity, med- weight with good depth, red berry, med+ chalky volcanic tannins and a bit of heat on finish
-seems a little out of balance
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/28/2016 - winemaker Likes this wine: 91 Points
Pretty transparent pale almost pink in color. I like this just as much as previous bottles. This should hold a bit longer, but no need to wait. I think this as good as it will get.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/1/2016 - VDLT Wine Likes this wine:
At Pietro's with Chief. Remarkably pale colored. Showing subdued red fruit, great minerality and an enhancing ash note from the lava-infused soil. Splendid and food friendly but not as complex or broad as prior bottles.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/27/2016 - NostraBacchus Likes this wine: 92 Points
Translucent ruby color. Perfumed but still a little reticent notes of pure red berries, smoke, crushed rocks, flowers, sweet herbs. It's medium-lighter bodied and feels weightless, has medium+ tannin and good medium-high acidity. Good length. A very elegant, complex and pretty Etna rosso that perfectly reflects its place of origin. This is showing very beautifully right now but will probably also age for a few more years.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/25/2016 - pcwoz Likes this wine: 91 Points
Lovely balance. earthy / mineral. Red fruits. Had this loads of times. Always great. Subtle though, not a blockbuster. Best with food.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/16/2016 - Chaz Bham wrote: 89 Points
Bright red fruit with ample levels of acidity, pairing it well with food. Depending on the vinification, some bottles of Nerello Mascalese can certainly masquerade as village/regional level Burgundy or perhaps some Piedmont wines - you may not be able to pick one out in a lineup. A very enjoyable bottle with the right dish, to play off the pleasingly acidic profile. I've sampled more complex Nerello wines, and this seems to be a little on the pricey side for an entry level offering by a Sicilian producer.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
3/20/2016 - winemaker Likes this wine: 91 Points
Really drinking well. Quite Burgundian. Has a lot of life left. I have one more bottle from this vintage. Very enjoyable.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
3/1/2016 - juffer Likes this wine: 94 Points
I served this in my wine course. Fragrant high pitched nose that reminds me of Cote de Beaune. Light weight mid palate. Good minerality on the finish. Continues to drink like Burgundy texturally in the mouth and finish. Very enjoyable.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/10/2016 - chablis28 wrote: 92 Points
My love affair continues with my 8th btl from this vintage. I rarely buy more than 4 btls of any wine. After trying several of the more gritty producer, Terre Nere's Mt Etna Rosso I was about to give up on Mt Etna Rosso then, I found this wine. PnP in a Burg glass. Blind it would be hard to peg this as Burgundy or Barbaresco. Kind of a mythical blend of the two. A little more tannin and iron than most Burgs but all of the grace and aromatics of a Chambolle. Pomegranate freshness and berry juiciness combined with a solid bead of minerality. For me, this is the king of Mt Etna Rosso and a total bargain for around $28-$32. I'd love to see this wine in a blind line up with either Burgs or Barabesco. 92+
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/7/2016 - pcwoz wrote: 91 Points
Intense minerals, red fruits. Well balanced. Tannins softening.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/6/2016 - Louvin Likes this wine: 91 Points
one hour plus decant, started with crunch red fruit and added to this an element of softer darker almost suet texture and flavor, smokey maybe. Enjoy this element.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/27/2015 - Outplaying wrote:
Very pale color, with a bricky orange shade. Light bodied with red fruits and a menthol edge. I didn't get the volcanic mineral notes I remember before. Good acid. Ann didn't like this much at first but it grew on her. A nice change of pace.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/28/2015 - konquest Likes this wine: 91 Points
Lorsque Barolo et Bourgogne ont un enfant illégitime, ça donne ce vin. Belle finesse et élégance.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/18/2015 - t_moderne wrote: 92 Points
Pop and pour and served with food (penne a la pomodoro e baslico, in case you were wondering).
Light ruby red color. Nose is of fresh raspberries and earth.
Light in mouthfeel but with depth of flavor. Fresh crushed berries, some earth notes (tastes like the smell of rocks) and fresh citrus. Very impressive. Fresh and lively and inviting. Delicious.
Note: A much improved showing from the wine I had a year ago. That could be from a combination of serving/tasting environment or a matching of food.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/1/2015 - Patrik H wrote: 84 Points
On the nose: Vanilla, coldness, raisin
On the palate: Raisin, cherry, acidity with alcohol heat
medium finish
Not my cup of tea. I thought it was unbalanced
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/12/2015 - pcwoz wrote: 91 Points
lovely poise. Red fruits and minerals. Good freshness. Very well made. Always keen to drink this. Needs food.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/8/2015 - nicefish wrote: 90 Points
Beautiful, racey acidity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/24/2015 - GoBlue2002 Likes this wine: 91 Points
This opened up flat and tasteless, but after an hour... NICE!
My first taste of this varietal, and it reminded me of a pinot noir but with more body/structure.
Smooth and elegant, with additional herbal aromas on top of the slight berry.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/21/2015 - jrobs7777 wrote:
Bright acid. The red fruit is fresh and vibrant. There is a touch of sweet spice, menthol and minerality that carries through. This is really lip smacking and delicious with good concentration.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/27/2015 - Julius. wrote: flawed
Corked. A shame. Several of us were looking forward to the wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/25/2015 - olalar wrote: 91 Points
Red fruit and lots of minerality in both nose and mouth. Medium long taste and acidity. Will be intersting to follow, try again in 2 years. Needs food...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/24/2015 - LFCHALA wrote: 90 Points
Nerello Mascalese. Medium body. Elegant. Burgundy-like. Needs time
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/20/2015 - pcwoz Likes this wine: 92 Points
Lovely mineralogy. Nice tannin grip. Good fruits (red). Light in colour and more power than it looks. Alcohol not in evidence. Really interesting
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/9/2015 - thomaskeil wrote: 90 Points
Workshop Faculty Dinner (My House, Denver, CO): Decanted 45 minutes. Translucent garnet. Light red berries, cherry, floral and spice notes on the nose. Medium/light fruit weight on the palate with excellent red fruit expression. Slightly tense with bright acidity and sharp tannins that were not intrusive. Screams for a food pairing and we got a great one with the green garlic/thyme risotto.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/20/2015 - chablis28 wrote: 91 Points
Another very tasty btl.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/3/2015 - VDLT Wine Likes this wine:
At Dodici blind dinner. Paired with 2005 of same wine. Continues to impress. Many thought red Burgundy. A lovely contrast to its sloppy older brother.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (1)
2/21/2015 - JCDR Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice light...enjoy it
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/29/2015 - RichardP wrote: 91 Points
Camphor on the nose. On the palate, candied cherry and strawberry followed by hints of cinnamon (?) and white pepper, with a prickly tannic bite on the medium to long finish. This starts out transparent red, but darkens with air. Interesting stuff -- it reminds me a bit of one of Cornelissen's experiments. Average value for the money.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/24/2015 - chablis28 wrote: 90 Points
Didn't really get a chance to enjoy this much as a bit of stomach flu still lurks from yesterday. Neither food nor wine have been much fun since Friday night. Hoping tomorrow is a new day.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/15/2015 - Cote d'Or wrote:
PopnPour, tasted over 3 hrs
-semi-translucent light/light-med red, looks like a Burg
-somewhat reticent dusty, volcanic rock, earth, subtle red fruit
-unique mouthfeel with lower acidity and lighter body but a round almost lush texture, very slightly medicinal red fruit and a hint of black pepper, soft but abundant tannins engulf the palate
-interesting, very good, no idea how it will age
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/9/2015 - Fugu Me Likes this wine:
Really nice on initial PnP, then went sideways after about 30 minutes of air, shutting down hard. Put the cork back in, then left it alone for two days, coming back on Night 3, where it had opened up nicely, but still displaying acidity and firm tannins. Will forget my other bottles exist for a few years.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
12/20/2014 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
Medium-bodied, structured, with tightly coiled red fruits (pomegranate, cherry skin) against a backdrop of pine needles, ash and dusty soil. Aerated to decanter 3 hours, and this was still pretty tight. Worked well with King Salmon, but I'll wait 3-4 years before considering opening the next one; I think it's headed into a phase. Rather serious now, or at least tonight's bottle was.
Served non-blind.
https://italianwine.blog/
10 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/19/2014 - chablis28 wrote: 91 Points
I liked tonight's btl a little less than previous. Tonight's blt seemed a little more mature and showing more earth and less of the lovely fruit I've loved in previous btls. This wasn't tons different but I found it less charming and almost chianti like.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/13/2014 - DBunk Likes this wine:
Prior note still holds true. Decanted this time for ~30min. Calmed some of the tannins but all the rest held together nicely.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/5/2014 - pcwoz Likes this wine: 91 Points
Light in colour but lovely mineral edge. Red fruits. Nice depth and tannin balance. I think I should let this age but drinks well now too
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/3/2014 - t_moderne wrote:
Pop and pour and served in Govino plastic cups while sailing. Light in texture. Shows some elegance but a bit too acidic at this point. I expect this will improve with some bottle age. Shows some tart cherries and strawberries along with a note of volcanic rock.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/3/2014 - Bellissimo wrote:
PnP, served with dinner, finished later in the night. Oh so nice almost Pinot like with its weight, balance and intensity. Nice cherry/raspberry, crushed rock, hint of forest floor and spiciness on the finish. Need more of this but will be a challenge to sit on them as it is so in our wheelhouse.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
9/24/2014 - VDLT Wine Likes this wine:
Offers neither the depth nor the focus of the single vineyard Rampante but with a bit of air, this put on an impressive show. Doesn't scream Burgundy like the R and there is an element of rusticity but a fine drink that is highly cooperative at the dinner table.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/14/2014 - pcwoz Likes this wine: 91 Points
Lovely. Minerals. Crushed light red fruit. Great structure: tannins and acidity all there but in balance
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/24/2014 - amateurwino wrote:
Bought after hearing all the comparisons to Chambolle, which turn out to be apt only as it relates to the smooth texture of this wine. Otherwise, this wine is much more savory than Chambolle of similar age. Likeable but not sure if I will rush to buy more at the $38 price level.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/10/2014 - DBunk Likes this wine: 91 Points
Delicious. Cherry, mint, wet slate and crushed rocks! Light color and body but wonderful bouquet and flavor! Nice acidity and minerality, really wonderful.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/7/2014 - chablis28 wrote: 92 Points
Can't keep my hands off of these. I need to save at least one for some addl btl age.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/27/2014 - chablis28 wrote: 93 Points
Another great btl and universally liked last night I think. See my May notes for details. Still think this reminds me a lot of Mugnier Chambolle but slightly sweeter on the finish. Such a steal!
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/13/2014 - cartime Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nose of cherry, orange peel, spicy florals, vanilla, and a minerality I can only describe as volcanic. Juicy, red-fruited palate with minerally acids, and fine, yet firm tannins. Potential for improvement, but the balance is there now for drinking with food.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/29/2014 - moonmountain Likes this wine: 93 Points
Others have described as a cross between burgundy and barolo. To me, it tastes like a cross between burgundy and a cool year, lighter zinfandel. It has that spiciness you find in zinfandel but is more akin to burgundy overall. Quite enjoyable and an excellent value.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/25/2014 - winemaker Likes this wine: 91 Points
Developing nicely. Light transparent ruby. Some sappy savory elements in the red fruits. Very nice.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/14/2014 - pcwoz Likes this wine: 91 Points
Lovely. Mineral and structured. Quite light body and colour. A bit of a cross somehow between Barolo and 1er cry red Burg
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/12/2014 - nicefish wrote: 90 Points
Very tasty and flexible in terms of food pairing. Lots of zest and energy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/28/2014 - blanquito wrote:
Tried one last night. I'm definitely in the Pinot-Piedmont call on this, stylistically.
Quite bright and lithe, yet with plenty of firm tannins on the finish. Very nice right now, with pretty aromatics and cherry fruits. I'd like to try this again in 5 years, as I can imagine this deepening and developing. B/B+ for current drinking.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/23/2014 - chablis28 wrote: 93 Points
A little over a year later and this wine is even more intriguing by a fair margin. Tonight, after open for a couple hours, it also had that amazing autumnal Burg nose we all crave so badly. Again drinking like a $100+ Chambolle from Mugnier. Lacy elegance, spice and red fruit in spades. Very pretty! Grabbed 3 more today.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/12/2014 - Sourdough Likes this wine: 90 Points
A vey interesting red. Moderate color with a tint of orange. Nice, light red nose of red fruit and spice. Nice red fruit flavor with spices and minerality. Over time the flavor profile is relatively constant but long lived. My first experience with this grape thanks to the CT Smackdown. Will seek more!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/2/2014 - Al Ehrhardt wrote:
The first of three bottles on a nice evening of food and wine. Started with a 2011 Charles Hours Jurançon Sec Cuvée Marie, a 2001 Giacosa Barolo, then this wine. I really liked it. Lighter and prettier that I would have expected, great texture. Floral, ash/minerals, herbs, raspberries/red cherries, good acidity, and soft tannins. Lovely. My first Passopiciaro, glad I bought a few more. I have been digging small Sicilian producers for several years and hope to find more of their wines.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/28/2014 - stubbie999 Likes this wine:
Some wines are great for a causal glass on the couch; some are nice with dinner, and some demand food. This is one of the latter - alone, it's a high-acid tannin wall that seems dumb on the palate and uninteresting. With dinner (rack of lamb over spring pea risotto with roasted carrots and onions) this wine sings with a full throat. It opens up to reveal layers and layers of restrained red fruit, citrus, rocks, earth and mushroom while retaining the palate refreshing acidity. You wouldn't believe it was the same wine. I don't know that I've ever had a wine that changed as much with food - and boy is it worth it. Perfect with the meal.
6 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (3)
4/19/2014 - Sheila62 Likes this wine:
This is really good with great balance of fruit and elegance. Really great and i wish i had more cellared.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/22/2014 - m_arcon Likes this wine: 93 Points
Colour: Light cranberry red in colour. Reminds me of an Burgundy Pinot Noir.
Nose: Red fruit like red cherry, cranberry, apple skin, pomelo and orange zest mixed with an incredible volcan ash, earthy, dusty component. But need some time to open up. Much more "old world" than "new world" style.
Palate: Kick-ass acidity is the first thing that came to mind when putting this juice in your mouth. Again red fruit driven with an extremly mineral kick on the mid-palate. Lovely texture and tannin structure. Medium-bodied, the alcohol is very well integrated although 14% alc, maybe just a little bit of heat on the back-end.
Really, really good bottle of red wine. Will pair with an enormous amount of food. Shows the potenital that slumbers in the sicilian soil. Excatly the stlye I prefer. Love it!
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/10/2014 - RussK wrote: 90 Points
Russk. The comparison to burgundy is apt. Light translucent strawberry color. Nose of red fruit, crushed rock, a touch of iron. Carbonic mouth. 90-. Probably too young.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/17/2014 - Pknut wrote:
Rather tasty wine, lots of red fruits in a nicely delineated package, good balance, some volcanic/minerally elements, all on a lightweight frame that I recognize to be the hallmark of these volcanic Sicilian wines - i.e., good fruit, interesting palate, without heaviness. Liz noted lots of spices on the palate. In Hallandale, at a terrific family bar-b-que.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/12/2014 - Motz wrote: 93 Points
A unique and intensely intriguing wine. It has the color and translucency of cranberry juice.
Complex bouquet of flowers, volcanic minerality, red and summer fruits, Mediterranean spices, garrigue, sanguinity, and smokehouse.
Concentrated palate, particularly striking given the light color, lively acidity. Deep and complex taste profile. Red fruits, floral elements, and herbal teas dominate the attack. The mid palate reveals CdP-like elements, including smoked meats, black teas, and tar notes, along with volcanic and sanguine elements. Tannins clamp down nicely at the back and hold on through a long and enjoyable finish. Charming yet deceptively structured; this a substantive and complex offering. It will likely improve with aging.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (4)
2/7/2014 - Winetex Likes this wine: 90 Points
Clear bright ruby color; Floral and cherry fruit aromas with cranberry, and red fruit flavors. It had a very interesting mineral and slightly tannic finish. Balanced but still young and could use a couple of years to better integrate. It doesn't seem to have the structure for long-term aging but others may know better with this varietal. ~$35 usd
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/2/2014 - Cadby wrote: 94 Points
2010 Passopisciaro ++++ $35
Lovely soft cherry color / nose. Burgundy incarnate
http://8wordsonwine.blogspot.com/2014/02/2010-passopisciaro-35.html
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/2/2014 - Bob H Likes this wine:
About two months since my last "visit" with this wine, the normale from Passopisciaro. Probably even a shade lighter in the glass that the '11 Sciaranuova. Reticent on the nose right now, just some cool menthol.
Really coats the palate - very "flavorful", nice acidity, a little tannic bite on the finish. I have no idea how these wines might age - I guess in that regard no one really does because the producer is relatively new to Etna. But the wines are quite delicious young, so if I don't start hiding a few bottles, I'll never find out either ;^)
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/4/2014 - silton Likes this wine: 91 Points
Started off a bit thin/shut down but put on some weight and added aromatic power over the first 2 of 4+ hours in the decanter. Cranberry, apple skin, and rosewater with a volcanic twist of bitter chocolate and a Nebbiolo like mushroom quality. A more feminine wine than I generally drink, but I really liked it. Will pair well with many foods as it did with leftover meaty pasta. I'm guessing that this will harmonize in the bottle and show its best around 2017; not sure this has the stones for long term aging, but this bottle performed somewhat unevenly so it might not have shown all its cards. 91 is a high water mark sort of score.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/2/2014 - rmalloy Likes this wine: 92 Points
I tried this wine on multiple occasions and was pleased every time. Full of juicy strawberries and cherries, ripe but lively. Long bright finish. Lovely sweet oak aromas and flavors, which are rather dominant really, but they suit this wine well.
Edit after reading others' reviews: yes, I agree with cranberry.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2013 - KeithAkers wrote: 91 Points
Nose: The nose was a little tight at first, but then opened up into red fruits, cherries, volcanic ash undertones, leather, and a touch of earth tones. There is medium depth to it with good balance as well.
Taste: Medium/light bodied with noticeable tannins and medium+ acidity. The feel is well balanced with red cherries, volcanic ash, red fruits, and leather notes.
Overall: This is extremely enjoyable and drinkable. There is a very attractive red fruit core with a ashy base.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/11/2013 - ktrh Likes this wine: 85 Points
Surprisingly soft Etna red compared to bottles from Cornelissen, Graci and Terre Nere drunk recently. A bit underperforming at its price level?
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/7/2013 - Bob H Likes this wine:
Light translucent ruby in the glass; I think I had a similar comment when I first tried this wine two months ago, but the color is that of a Nebbiolo with about 20-30 years of age.
Cool, crisp red fruits on the nose, like a blend of cherry & cranberry. Just popped & poured, and while the nose is one-dimensional, the fruit is pretty alluring.
Light weight and elegant on the palate, with a tannic bite on the finish. Bright acidity - this needs food (and clearly more time in bottle) to show it's best, but for the price this is a pretty impressive wine.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/1/2013 - Guillaume T. Likes this wine: 88 Points
Lovely garnet color. Crisp, tart, and bracing as an aperitif. Then mellowed and opened into dinner, pairing well with a shrimp and sausage gumbo. The acidity balanced well against the mild spice, offering a refreshing combination to the stew and a lingering fruity, earthy warmth on the finish.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/17/2013 - paolonardi wrote: 89 Points
All'inizio un bel frutto maturo, spezie, macchia mediterranea e una leggera nota sulfurea che con il tempo e l'aria diventa il tono predominante. La bocca ha carattere, buona acidità, tannino leggero ma ben calibrato. Un vino del sud che viene dalla montagna, si sente. Essenziale.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/10/2013 - CamWheeler wrote: 89 Points
Sydney Italian Wine Festival - Etna Masterclass: Plum, kirsch, musk and perfumed floral notes. The palate is medium bodied, and the fruit shines with vibrancy. The tannins do show through but they aren't obtrusive to me.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/30/2013 - winemaker Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very light in color. Muted nose. Medium body wine. Still tastes a bit primary to my palate. I like the red fruits here as well as the acids and tannins. Tasty. It will be interesting to see how this wine evolves.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/9/2013 - Bob H Likes this wine:
Light translucent ruby in the glass; nice, precise nose of red fruit (cranberry? raspberry? Definitely not cherry).
Light-bodied, elegant, some tannic kick on the finish, sweet & sour fruits - pretty nice. My first experience with this producer, but it won't be the last.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/27/2013 - henrygjeffreys Likes this wine:
sweet nose with a touch of smoke
silky, like Pinot Noir, ripe fruit but very dry
elegant, some grip
I love these Etna reds, such beautiful wines, lovely texture
Would have loved to drink the whole bottle over an evening
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/4/2013 - baroloboy55 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Interesting bottle. Disarmingly light, burgundian. Smokey. Volcanic soil. Gains weight with air, and perhaps better day 2. Much more transparent and weightless than Terre Nere. As the Monkees sang, I'm a beliver
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/31/2013 - Eric wrote:
Very subtle wine. Light color and intensity, definitely akin to Pinot. Lovely aromatics. Cherries and dust. Very present acidity and firm tannins at this stage. Dusty and mineral. Hold, hold, hold.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
8/18/2013 - johnstrass wrote: 94 Points
This has three characterics :
A great burgundy alternative. Very earthy
A great flavor profile and tannin structure. This is the ancestral grape of Tempranillo
A great light food wine. It is very light but extremely earful with great acid structure and tannin structure supported my moderate acidity.
This is a phenomenal good wine but not for solo drinking.
Can mature 10 more years
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/17/2013 - CamWheeler wrote: 90 Points
Riesling Tasting: Cranberry, smoky meat, kirsch - nice perfume. Light to medium bodied, sprightly and spicy palate. There is some tannin influence evident and I think age will serve this well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/10/2013 - maderay wrote: 88 Points
G+. drank it at Marroush. Cherries, some sweetness, pleasant
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/24/2013 - tb_baltimore Likes this wine: 92 Points
Quite enjoyable, though possibly not overly complex, maybe that's at least part of the pleasure. I largely agree with Darinc, this is a good QPR, if you like the style. I also agree that it has characteristics of PN and of Nebbiolo, making it an intriguing taste sense.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/14/2013 - loegaute wrote: 89 Points
Parfymert nese med jordbær, kirsebær, knust stein, eukalyptus og blyantspiss. Nokså bløtt anslag, men med en ungdommelig brutalitet i syre og tanniner. Ren og saftig frukt, i hovedsak syrlige røde bær og urter. God konsentrasjon, med en tydelig salt avslutning. 89-90p.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/22/2013 - dgriffin3480 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted 90 minutes and drank over 3 hours. Pretty nose with crisp red fruits and dried herbs, sweet on front of palate with strawberries, delicious acidity and earthy tannins on the finish. A delicious Nerello Mascalese that continued to open through the evening and a good value.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/14/2013 - Burgundy Al wrote: 88 Points
Strawberry and tart red cherry aromas come across with a lean character, ever-so-slightly reminiscent of Pinot Noir. Very elegant aromas and flavors with a clean, pristine palate. Well textured as well. Good now. Kept expanding in length and depth through the first couple of hours open tonight, but the tart character never really softened.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/16/2013 - DarinC Likes this wine: 92 Points
Perfumed nose of strawberries, cranberries and flowers. Clean, refreshing palate dominated by crushed strawberries, with some cranberry, a touch of red plum and earth, a dash of spices, and some minerals. Discrete oak treatment. Fine, grippy tannins carry the fresh fruit filled, slightly saline, finish on and on. I didn't get any heat like some other CT tasters. Best after 20 min in the glass. A great wine for the $ if you like this style.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/7/2013 - chablis28 wrote: 91 Points
PnP. This wine would be fun in a blind tasting trying to decide if its PN or Nebiolo! It certainly shows the perfumed, often weightless elegance of both grapes. Still youthfully primary but I suspect this will evolve with greater nuance still down the road. Bright red fruit, spice and minerality on a Chambolle frame. I like it very much and the btl emptied quickly on the deck with mixed grill. Paid $33, making this a very solid value. Fun to tell the wife we're drinking wine from the shoulders of Mt Etna.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/29/2013 - jrobs7777 wrote:
Passopisciaro Tasting (Zeppoli (Collingswood New Jersey)): I found all of the Passopisciaro wines to have stellar acidity. Clean focused wines. This was enjoyable and easy to drink. Surprisingly pale color but exhibits a good bit of red fruit and bramble. A touch of forest floor.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/25/2013 - Chaz Bham wrote: 89 Points
Again, wonderful aromatics of Nerello Mascalese (100%), with crushed strawberries and darker minerals. Surprisingly primary, with a bit of alcohol and some toasted oak. This seemed to lack the freshness and zesty drive of other Nerello wines I have sampled. Other tasters have not noted the oak and alcohol, and makes me wonder if there is some variation in the barrels, and this bottle just happened to arrive on that end of the spectrum. I agree with Beerzebub's notes. Will hold my other bottle for several years to see if these elements settle down.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/10/2013 - Beerzebub wrote:
Fairly closed nose, mild red fruit with some sooty rocks and hints of cocoa, flowers and heat. Cranberry and pie cherry on the palate, with a mild floral element, good acidity, and some rocky minerality. Reasonably refreshing, though a bit hot. Pretty enjoyable overall, except that the price was $35; half that would seem about right.
Doesn't get any more interesting over 3+ hours. Shows the terroir at a simple level and is enjoyable enough to drink, but that's it. Not very characterful or complex given the price, and also not as fresh and light as it might be with less heat; stuck somewhere in between.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment