Alberto Graci

Delicate old pink with shimmering reflections, elegant bouquet with notes of wild strawberries and light currants, plus restrained, spicy tones. On the palate with creamy freshness and lively acidity, fine and distinguished. SUPERIORE.DE

"A blend of young peach and nectarine is complicated by a whiff of crushed rocks and dried flowers as the 2022 Rosato Etna blossoms in the glass. This is softly textured yet mineral in style. It quickly gains traction through a stimulating mix of brisk acidity and a lemon-pith tartness. The 2022 lingers long, with a salty concentration and tangerine hints that entice the taster back to the glass for more. The 2022 is another fantastic Rosato Etna from Graci." Vinous

Fascinating, brightly shining cuvée that smells of fresh fruit and flowers. On the palate, flavours of apple, pear and peach flatter, well balanced and balanced. Delicious also the fine mineral salt note in the finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Graci 2022 Etna Bianco has a pronounced mineral note that gives it extra sharpness and brightness. Over the years, the proportion of Carricante in the blend has increased. The salty-mineral profile of this grape variety is in the foreground. The wine has a very bright golden colour and is already very drinkable." Wine Advocate

"Blend of Carricante and Catarratto. Notes of chinotto, yellow plums and lemony sage on the nose, finishing almondy, salty and acidic with a fruity, citrusy and dried fruit finish. Very long lasting." Luca Gardini

This archetype of an Etna Rosso presents itself with a lot of grace and beautiful varietal typicity. Aromas of strawberry and cherry on the nose, a medium-bodied fruit on the palate, slightly salty hints and spicy nuances in the beautiful final. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Graci 2021 Etna Rosso shows a structured but lean personality with bright berry fruits, currants and wild berries. The wine is balanced and fresh. It shows the specific volcanic character that only wines from the charred slopes of Etna can deliver. It is made from Nerello Mascalese harvested at 600 to 700 metres above sea level on ashy volcanic soils." Wine Advocate

"Darkly floral and opening slowly in the glass, the 2021 Etna Rosso smolders up with a nuanced blend of crushed rocks and dried roses. It’s soothingly round with medium-bodied weight and a saline mineral tinge up front that gives way to depths of tart cherry-berry fruits. The 2021 tapers off structured, long, yet beautifully balanced, with red inner florals and lingering exotic spice hints. This is punching well above the category of Rosso, but it will need some cellaring to come fully together." Vinous

The grapes for this fine white from the north side of Etna come from the 3 ha Contrada Muganazzi in the municipality of Passopisciaro. The skeletal and ph-neutral soils are rich in iron and nitrogen and offer ideal conditions for fresh, acidic and mineral white wines. The wine is aged in equal parts in wood and stainless steel for 12 months on the fine lees. Muganazzi is neither a lean wine, nor is it too full-bodied. It is somewhere in between, with thick layers of peach, apricot and lots of fresh citrus. The mineral notes of gravel, flint and volcanic ash are very evident. An elegant, powerful Carricante with great drinking flow that clearly shows the signature of the sensitive Alberto Graci. SUPERIORE.DE

"Carricante from the Contrada of the same name on Etna: flower of peach and citrus; in the mouth elegant with salty minerality, finely chiselled and yet with character the long finish." Vinum

"Leafy and smoky notes on the nose, with papaya, pineapple and toffee. Medium-bodied, ripe and tropical, balanced by tangy acidity. Oily finish." James Suckling

"Here is an exciting new addition to Graci's portfolio. The 2020 Etna Bianco Muganazzi (with only 2,800 bottles) is a pure Carricante, aged in both stainless steel and large oak barrels. The Muganazzi is particularly fruity, showing aromas of melon and stone fruit that add creaminess to the wine's medium-bodied texture. On the finish, it shows an interesting firmness with a pronounced freshness." Wine Advocate

"The 2020 Etna Bianco Muganazzi holds my attention firm with a richly elegant mix of ripe peaches, cracked slate, cardamom and subtle nuances of lemony custard. It’s soft-textured and round in feel, coming across as almost oily at times, yet with a mineral and citrus-tinged core that keeps the wine wildly fresh. Lime zest, spice and almond paste linger incredibly long through the lightly structured finale. The palate is left remarkably refreshed and watering for more. If tasted blind, I may have called this new single-vineyard Carricante a village-level white Burgundy. What an exciting wine to taste." Vinous

Fresh white from old vines with invigorating citrus scent and notes of mint, rich of tropical fruits, taut and firm, with elegant mineral note on the palate, with fine polish and high complexity. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright shining light gold. In the nose expressive notes of citrus fruits, candied zest, some grapefruit, in addition fine floral nuances, as well as clear on wet stone. Radiant on the palate with a fine creamy texture, showing racy mineral undertones, salty on the final." Falstaff

"Complex nose with aromas of flint, smoked almonds, lemon peel, white apricots and spiced pears. Medium-bodied with phenolic bite and lively acidity. Spicy and energetic on the finish." James Suckling

"From Contrada Arcuria in Passopisciaro on the north side of Mount Etna at an altitude of 600-700 metres, this 100% Carricante is vinified partly in cement tanks and partly in large oak barrels. The wine is then aged on its lees in barrel for 12 months and then in bottle for a further 12 months. It is rich, dense and powerful, with a mineral taste of peach and flowers." Decanter

"With just 4,000 bottles produced, the 2020 Etna Bianco Arcurìa starts off in stainless steel but comes together with aging in large oak casks. The wine is marked by medium-rich texture, some crisp structure and plenty of refreshing aromas of citrus, white peach and crushed oyster shell. Alberto Graci's careful winemaking style imparts very delicate background notes of clove and cinnamon." Wine Advocate

Etna Rosso in light ruby and with a fine bouquet of raspberries, herbs, orange peel and flint. Firm, straightforward taste. Mineral hints corresponding to the terroir. Silky tannins and a fresh finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Warm light red; fruity, fine ripeness, deep; juicy, fine tart attack, depth, then pronounced length with powerful tannin." Merum

"The 2019 Etna Rosso Arcuria is smoky and earthy in style, wafting up with vivid aromatics, featuring freshly picked strawberries, plum skins, rose hips and wet stone. This is texturally deep, silky-smooth and more savory than sweet, with mineral-infused red and hints of blue fruit, as well as balsam herbs that resonate toward the close. It finishes lightly structured with a minty freshness, as well as with a bitter tinge of cherry pits and spice. The 2019 Arcuria is so pretty today that it’s hard to recommend cellaring; yet with the balance on display here, the chances are that it will only get better over time." Vinous

Sparkling ruby. Earthy notes, a little truffle, lots of blackberry. Round and smooth in the base and course, opens with fine-meshed tannin, enveloped in sweet enamel, mineral notes in the finale, some black tea and a firm pressure. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling ruby with bright rim. Somewhat reserved nose, smells of pomegranate and beetroot, some raspberry. On the palate, a fine, present tannin, salty, with hints of strawberry and raspberry." Falstaff

"Alberto Graci is one of the few vintners on Etna who has successfully captured the grace and elegance of a somewhat subdued vintage such as this. The 2016 Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo offers a level of depth and sharpness that leaves me happily surprised. The aromas stand upright and determined with dried cassis and black currant followed by cigar ash and crushed stone. This is a mid-weight red with lasting flavor persistence." Wine Advocate

"The nose is quite ripe, but there’s loads of complexity with dried herbs, leather, cedar, cigar box, ash and tar. Medium to full body, structured and chewy tannins and a long, flavorful finish." James Suckling

In the beginning, the wines from Etna led a rather shadowy existence; the great potential of the wines, some of which were produced in very small quantities, usually only delighted connoisseurs. Even today, many of the winegrowers are so-called insider tips, as the wines produced in small quantities hardly appear on the international markets, or only in very homeopathic quantities. Like us here at SUPERIORE.DE, however, Angelo Gaja recognised the incomparable elegance and class, the minerality and the purist style of the Nerello and Carricante grape early on and therefore entered into a joint venture with Alberto Graci a few years ago.

The great prestige and the undisputedly high value of the vineyards, which are up to 100 years old and parcelled out in small sections at an altitude of up to 1,000 m, then led to the purchase of land on the southwest side of the volcano, and in 2017 they came onto the market with the debut vintage. The project is called "Idda" - the local name of the Etna volcano, which the locals thus assign a distinctly feminine character. Idda Rosso 2018 is now the second vintage from complex, iron- and copper-rich soils at 630 to 820 m above sea level. Incidentally, these are - how could it be otherwise - among the oldest in the still young Etna DOC region.

Typical ruby red with a matt sheen. Well defined and clean on the nose, with notes of cherry, small, mostly red fruits and a subtle, delicate spiciness. Fresh in the mouth, stretches wide and finishes with a spicy note and considerable length. The tannins, very well extracted, finely caress the palate. A wine full of elegance and harmony, pronounced terroir typicity and with a clearly recognisable ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"An incredibly elegant wine with a wonderful mouthfeel, smooth as cashmere. The harvestwere certainly well selected. The nose is already multi-dimensional and reminiscent of cassis, black cherry and black pepper. The palate reveals vanilla, cherry, pain au chocolat and a fine tannin. The grapes for this wine are partly pressed with the rappen, the wine matured in new wood." Vinum

"Bright, luminous ruby red. A little reserved on the nose, earthy-mineral touch, cherry fruit, dried orange. On the palate with juicy tannin, clear fruit and great course, radiant core, currently still shows itself young." Falstaff

"An initial burst of roses and dusty black cherries lifts from the 2019 Etna Rosso, giving way to sweet tea leaves, spiced orange peels, shavings of cedar and hints of smoke, creating a layered and remarkably pretty bouquet. Here I’m finding a pure display of Nerello Mascalese fruit, which gains richness as it sits in the glass, with mineral-tinged red berries carried along a motivating core of vibrant acids under an air of inner florals. This tapers off delicate in feel, only lightly structured, and with medium length, leaving savory hints of licorice and plum. While fruit-centric, there’s a lot to like about the Idda Rosso." Vinous

"An alluring red, with delicate spice, herb and iron notes layered with a pure beam of ripe cherry and raspberry fruit flavors. Silky tannins provide light grip on the lingering finish." Wine Spectator

"The Idda 2019 Etna Rosso shows depth, length and everything in between. This 2019 vintage benefits from a long and slow growing season, just what the native red grapes of Etna prefer. The spring season saw a lot of rain for ample water reserves, and the weather then transitioned to a dry but not too hot summer season. The late harvest helped to develop structure and linearity in the wine that you taste, thanks to bright fruit nuances of blackberry, plum and a touch of candied orange peel. The wine is light, vertical and otherwise void of any residual heaviness. It finishes with pretty accents of toasted nut and earthy terracotta." Wine Advocate

"The 2019 IDDA rosso has taken a big step forward in quality. The tannins are so much more refined. According to Gaia Gaja, they increased the percentage of whole bunches used in the fermentation from 30% to 50%. At the moment, creamy new oak and soft vanilla dominate but it is still very young. Cream and ripe cherry fruit integrate softly on palate with herb and medicinal notes adding intrigue." Decanter

"This is really beautifully rich and opulent with aromas of ripe fruit, caramel and chocolate brioche. Some earth, too. Medium-to full-bodied with soft, integrated tannins that give a cashmere mouth feel. It’s fresh and very long with gorgeous texture and a delicious finish." James Suckling

Sparkling ruby. Earthy notes, some truffle, pomegranate, then lots of blackberry. Round and supple in the attack and course, opens with fine-meshed tannin, coated with sweet melting, mineral-salty hints in the final, raspberry, some black tea and a firm pressure. SUPERIORE.DE

"Mid ruby with orange tinges. Crushed cherry with hints of exotic spice, wildflowers and iodine hints. Suave red fruit with supple acidity tied together by finely ground tannins. Closes up - indicating there is more to come." Jancis Robinson

"This red made with 95% Nerello Mascalese and 5% Nerello Cappuccio opens with aromas of mature dark-skinned fruit, pressed violet, scorched soil and camphor notes. Boasting a depth of flavors as well as weightless finesse, the savory, firm palate features juicy morello cherry, black raspberry, star anise, orange zest and licorice. Taut fine-grained tannins give the finish an edge." Wine Enthusiast

"The Graci 2018 Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo shows lifted and nice vertical intensity in a vintage that was not always easy across the board. Carefully selected fruit from the Feudo di Mezzo site appears to have overcome the challenges of summer rain and heat. This pretty Etna red reveals aromas of wild berry, plum, candied orange peel and a sprinkling of white pepper. Some volcanic smoke and campfire ash also come into play. The wine shows good intensity on the palate, with dry but integrated tannins." Wine Advocate

In the beginning, the wines from Etna led a rather shadowy existence; the great potential of the wines, some of which were produced in very small quantities, usually only delighted connoisseurs' hearts. Even today, many of the winemakers are so-called insider tips, as the wines produced in small quantities hardly appear on the international markets, or only in very homeopathic numbers. Like us here at SUPERIORE.DE, however, Angelo Gaja recognised the incomparable elegance and class, the minerality and the purist style of the Nerello and Carricante grape early on and therefore entered into a joint venture with Alberto Graci a few years ago.

The great prestige and the undeniably high value of the vineyards, which are up to 100 years old and parcelled out in small sections at an altitude of up to 1,000 m, then led to the purchase of land on the south-west side of the volcano, and in 2017/2019 they came onto the market with the red/white debut vintage. The project is called "Idda" - the local name of the Etna volcano, which the locals thus assign a distinctly feminine character. Idda Bianco 2021 is now the third vintage from complex, iron- and copper-rich soils at 630 to 820 m above sea level. Incidentally, these are - how could it be otherwise - among the oldest in the still young Etna DOC region.

What we spontaneously like about the Idda Bianco is the authentic Sicilian character of its cheerful bouquet. This delightful Carricante-based white opens with cedar, citrus, orange peel and cherries. The fruit is never heavy, instead offering elegant aromatic intensity followed by pistachio and perhaps a hint of wild fennel. The volcanic identity of the wine is on full display with ashy and salty mineral hints. Our unqualified enthusiasm for its creamy texture, length and energy! SUPERIORE.DE

"Straw yellow. Ripe lemon and peach on the nose with notes of gooseberry and hints of flint and garden herbs. Citrusy peach with garden herb notes, lemon and very ripe gooseberries. Very long with concentrated ripe acidity like a lemon squeeze on the finish." Jancis Robinson

"Aromas of quince and glazed lemons with dried herbs and floral undertones. Medium-bodied. So fresh and tight with a crisp, pear character and lively acidity. Lots of energy and crisp minerality." James Suckling

"The Idda 2021 Sicilia Bianco is a pure Carricante. The wine is generous and medium-bodied in texture with lots of apricot, Golden Delicious apple and quince. It feels supple on the palate, with a nice richness of fruit and citrus flavours to finish. What I like best is the richness of the mouthfeel and the long, silky sensations this volcanic white gives." Wine Advocate

"Bright straw yellow with delicate olive green reflections. Expressive nose, compact, clean, of lemon zest, orange blossom, wet stone and some cold smoke, inviting. On the palate with elegant fruit melting, balanced and harmonious, shows extremely elegant and finesse, comes in several layers." Falstaff

Etna Rosso in light ruby and with a fine bouquet of raspberries, herbs, orange peel and flint. Firm, straightforward taste. Mineral hints corresponding to the terroir. Silky tannins and a fresh finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright red; fresh, red fruity, raspberry jam, very inviting; red fruit already at the onset, lots of tannin, discreetly tart, very nice wine, long." Merum

"A beautiful blend of red fruits and spices on the nose, along with a hint of tea. Medium to full-bodied with very fine tannins. Creamy. A beautiful depth of fruit carried effortlessly by the elegant tannin structure. Long lasting finish. Delicious. Best after 2025." James Suckling

"The Graci 2020 Etna Rosso Arcurìa is a very different wine from the Feudo di Mezzo. It has more fruit and a spicy character with blackcurrants, tea leaves, tobacco and perhaps a hint of exotic spices. The tannins are more pronounced here and the concentration of the wine is definitely a notch or two higher in terms of intensity. The Contrada Arcurìa is situated at an altitude of 650 metres above sea level. Only 5,300 bottles were produced." Wine Advocate

"Dusty and floral, the 2020 Etna Rosso Arcuria slowly opens with a whiff of chalk dust and sage that gives way to violet pastille and crushed blackberries. This is pure elegance, silky and refined, with a lovely inner sweetness and cooling acidity that soothes and invigorates the palate. It finishes spicy and tannic with admirable length, leaving pretty inner florals and a bitter tinge slowly fading. It will be years before the Arcuria fully blossoms, but it will be time well spent." Vinous

In the beginning, the wines from Etna led a rather shadowy existence; the great potential of the wines, some of which were produced in very small quantities, usually only delighted connoisseurs' hearts. Even today, many of the winemakers are so-called insider tips, as the wines produced in small quantities hardly appear on the international markets, or only in very homeopathic numbers. Like us here at SUPERIORE.DE, however, Angelo Gaja recognised the incomparable elegance and class, the minerality and the purist style of the Nerello and Carricante grape early on and therefore entered into a joint venture with Alberto Graci a few years ago.

The great prestige and the undeniably high value of the vineyards, which are up to 100 years old and parcelled out in small sections at an altitude of up to 1,000 m, then led to the purchase of land on the south-west side of the volcano, and in 2017/2019 they came onto the market with the red/white debut vintage. The project is called "Idda" - the local name of the Etna volcano, which the locals thus assign a distinctly feminine character. Idda Bianco 2022 is now the fourth vintage from complex, iron- and copper-rich soils at 630 to 820 m above sea level. Incidentally, these are - how could it be otherwise - among the oldest in the still young Etna DOC region.

What we spontaneously like about the Idda Bianco is the authentic Sicilian character of its cheerful bouquet. This delightful Carricante-based white opens with cedar, citrus, orange peel and cherries. The fruit is never heavy, instead offering elegant aromatic intensity followed by pistachio and perhaps a hint of wild fennel. The volcanic identity of the wine is on full display with ashy and salty mineral hints. Our unqualified enthusiasm for its creamy texture, length and energy! SUPERIORE.DE

"Tangy and bright with green pear and lemon slices. Honeysuckle. Medium bodied with brightness and intensity of fruit. Hints of sea salt." James Suckling

"The 2022 Bianco pleases on many levels, wafting up with an unexpected fruit richness, combining young peach and apricot with white flowers and almond paste. It's round and soothing, yet with a stunning mix of candied lime and saline minerals up front that adds contrast. Sweet inner florals complement ripe pit fruits. The 2022 cleans up beautifully, long and with a salty flair, as it tapers off crunchy, full of tension, yet mouth-watering all the same." Vinous

The grapes for this fine white from the north side of Etna come from the 3 ha Contrada Muganazzi in the municipality of Passopisciaro. The skeletal and ph-neutral soils are rich in iron and nitrogen and offer ideal conditions for fresh, acidic and mineral white wines. The wine is aged in equal parts in wood and stainless steel for 12 months on the fine lees. Muganazzi is neither a lean wine, nor is it too full-bodied. It is somewhere in between, with thick layers of peach, apricot and lots of fresh citrus. The mineral notes of gravel, flint and volcanic ash are very evident. An elegant, powerful Carricante with great drinking flow that clearly shows the signature of the sensitive Alberto Graci. SUPERIORE.DE

"This is a very fresh and vibrant white with aromas of lime zest, stones, lemon peel, seashells and herbs. Medium-bodied with bright acidity. Textured finish." James Suckling

"The 2021 Etna Bianco Muganazzi is the star white wine in the Graci portfolio. The wine offers pretty texture with mild creaminess and good complexity. You get candied lemon, honey and pastry cream, and of course, there is crushed stone and volcanic ash to render an ever-more interesting wine. This is a bright white wine from an all-volcanic territory. Give it a bit more time to flesh out." Wine Advocate

In the beginning, the wines from Etna led a rather shadowy existence; the great potential of the wines, some of which were produced in very small quantities, usually only delighted connoisseurs' hearts. Even today, many of the winemakers are so-called insider tips, as the wines produced in small quantities hardly appear on the international markets, or only in very homeopathic numbers. Like us here at SUPERIORE.DE, however, Angelo Gaja recognised the incomparable elegance and class, the minerality and the purist style of the Nerello and Carricante grape early on and therefore entered into a joint venture with Alberto Graci a few years ago.

The great prestige and the undisputedly high value of the vineyards, which are up to 100 years old and parcelled out in small sections at an altitude of up to 1,000 m, then led to the purchase of land on the southwest side of the volcano, and in 2017 they came onto the market with the debut vintage. The project is called "Idda" - the local name of the Etna volcano, which the locals thus assign a distinctly feminine character. Idda Rosso 2018 is now the second vintage from complex, iron- and copper-rich soils at 630 to 820 m above sea level. Incidentally, these are - how could it be otherwise - among the oldest in the still young Etna DOC region.

Typical ruby red with a matt sheen. Well defined and clean on the nose, with notes of cherry, small, mostly red fruits and a subtle, delicate spiciness. Fresh in the mouth, stretches wide and finishes with a spicy note and considerable length. The tannins, very well extracted, finely caress the palate. A wine full of elegance and harmony, pronounced terroir typicity and with a clearly recognisable ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Idda 2020 Etna Rosso, born from the famous joint venture between Gaja and Graci, shows a deep ruby intensity and a lively appearance in the glass. The bouquet reveals aromas of dried cherries, blue flowers, campfire ash and grilled rosemary. These are joined by herbal and floral notes, as well as the volcanic aromas that are always characteristic of Etna's red wines. On the palate, the wine is lean and elegant and shows a nice tannic tension. It is firm without being bitter or powdery." Wine Advocate

"Shiny ruby red with a delicately lightening garnet rim. Expressive nose of raspberries and ripe currants, plus fine blood orange, wet stone and some cold smoke. Polished on the palate with a creamy texture, juicy, racy, swinging, fiery on the final with some perceptible alcohol, long." Falstaff

"Perfumed nose of red berries, spiced cherries, hazelnuts and smoke. Medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. Balanced and round with a silky texture on the mid palate and volume on the concentrated, long finish. It really grows on the palate. Better after 2024." James Suckling

Graci's third vintage, Sopra il Pozzo, is a "selection from the selection" and comes from the Arcurìa vineyard. It is the red archetype of an Etna Rosso, a Nerello cru with the clear DNA of the volcanic-stony terroir. Pale ruby with orange highlights, the nose has candied fruit, cooling firewood, some aniseed and herbs. On the palate, it is silky without being slippery, its subtle wood and delicate acid wire harmonising perfectly with the flanking tannin into an unforgettable, mineral-salty finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Graci's top-shelf red, the 2017 Etna Rosso Arcurìa Sopra il Pozzo has started to embrace the complexity that comes with bottle aging, and there are hints of spice, leather, dried fruit and more tertiary definition overall. The 2017 vintage was also very hot and dry, and the wine's open-knit presentation is surely due to those conditions. It offers accessible drinking. It wraps thickly over the palate with fine, dry tannin and lots of dried cherry and cassis. Production is 2,300 bottles." Wine Advocate

"Bright, sparkling cherry red. In the nose of dried roses, raspberries, cherries, gentle orange blossom, in addition fine cold smoke, distantly reminiscent of red peach. Very polished and round on the palate, taut with salt, energetic and with fine pressure, everything is in its place, spicy on the final, drinks very well." Falstaff

"Sweet berry and cherry flavours with a creamy texture and plenty of berry and spice notes on the finish. Medium to full body. Soy, oyster shell and salt." James Suckling

"The 2017 Etna Rosso Arcuria Sopra il Pozzo captivates with a blend of rich cherry sauce and sage with dusty rose and a hint of smoke. It is silky smooth, contrasted by bright acids and mineral tones and continues to gain grip as a saturation of tart wild berries sets in. The finish is long with subtle hints of spiced citrus, wild herbs and sweet, sweet tannins. What a great expression of Arcuria, a vineyard on the northern slope of Mount Etna, at an altitude of about 700 metres. The Sopra il Pozzo is a selection from the vineyard, refined for two years in perfectly integrated Stockinger barrels." Vinous

"Sopra il Pozzo" in Contrada Arcuria was identified after research in 2004 as a vineyard that differs from all the other vineyards in the area in its soil composition: alternating layers of stone and coarse sand. This wine, produced only in the best years, is traditionally fermented in oak barrels with a very long maceration period. Ageing takes place for 18 months in large oak barrels, followed by 12 months in bottle. The 2017 vintage was a difficult year and the team had to do a green harvest. The resulting wine is full of fragrant and tangy red fruits. Grainy tannins on a structured palate lead to a mineral, stony finish with hints of black cherry and balsamic. Tense, delicious and long. Very impressive." Decanter

Alberto Gracis top wine Quota 1000 Contrada Barbabecchi comes from the northeast slope of the Etna from the highest vineyard at 1000 to 1100m altitude. The Nerello-Mascalese vines are about 100 years old, and the yields are correspondingly low. Sparkling purple. In the bouquet fine notes of small red berries and wild cherry, in addition fig, thyme and liquorice. On the palate highly complex and of a unique harmony and elegance. A deep, almost infinite wine with an unforgettable finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"A harmonious red, featuring bright wild cherry and violet notes married to rich hints of fig cake and dried thyme, showing a streak of salinity. Medium-bodied and aromatic, with sculpted tannins firming the lingering finish of spice and graphite. Fresh and lively." Wine Spectator

"Luminous red. Deep spicy perfume of red cherry and minerals on the knockout nose. The pure flavors of Oriental spices and ripe red fruit are very fresh and light on their feet. Closes long and suave, with noteworthy vibrancy. Made from Nerello Mascalese grown at about 1,000 meters above sea level on the northern slope of Etna in the Barbabecchi contrada." Vinous

"Alberto Graci has created a gorgeous wine - the best I have yet tasted from his winery - in the form of the 2014 Quota 1000 Barbabecchi. This wine represents many of the ideals that I would imagine finding if I were in front of the archetypal Etna Rosso. By the way, because these vineyards are about the appellation limit of 1,000 meters above sea level, this wine is technically not in the appellation. Funny how that works out, because this wine is indeed so reflective of that specific Etna identity. I tasted this wine twice: once when I first opened the bottle and once again 12 hours later. I did this with all my top-scoring reds in this report. This vintage is powerful, tonic, dry and tart. It offers a graceful, almost fragile first impression but then delivers a song succession of berry, smoke and ash flavors that drive the very long finish." Wine Advocate

Graci's fourth vintage Sopra il Pozzo is a "selection from the selection" and comes from the Arcurìa vineyard. It is the red archetype of an Etna Rosso, a Nerello cru with the clear DNA of the volcanic-stony terroir. Pale ruby with orange highlights, the nose has candied fruit, cooling firewood, some aniseed and herbs. The palate is silky without being slippery, its subtle wood and delicate acid wire harmonising perfectly with the flanking tannin into an unforgettable mineral-salty finish. Only 2,300 bottles were bottled. SUPERIORE.DE

"A fresh and tasty Etna red wine with fine, sturdy tannins and crisp acidity. Bright red currants, mushrooms and lemon zest. Medium body. Crisp finish." James Suckling

"The Graci 2018 Etna Rosso Arcurìa Sopra il Pozzo is a wine that evolves in the glass. It unfolds with a sweet side contrasted with a savoury or volcanic side. Sopra il Pozzo is a special site within the Contrada Arcurìa at 650 metres above sea level. The tannins are well integrated and the bouquet is ethereal or almost fragile. This is a feature of this cooler vintage, and it may turn out to have a much longer drinking window than expected." Wine Advocate

"A beguiling blend of plum sauce, rum-soaked cherries, mint and balsamic spice makes the noble 2018 Etna Rosso Arcuria Sopra il Pozzo unmissable. It is a paragon of purity, lifted and refined, with textures of pure silk and pretty red berry fruit dazzling over a core of vibrant acidity. Salty minerals slowly saturate and emerge on the final, along with sweet tannins and a hint of violet pastille that linger on and on. The 2018 Sopra il Pozzo is simply stunning and should not be missed. It is easily one of the top wines of the vintage." Vinous