Benanti

Etna Bianco is made from the indigenous Carricante grape. A beguiling blend of aromas of fruit, minerals and roasted nuts, plus a fresh, round taste, good acidity and with a delicate sweetness in the finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Etna Bianco is made from the indigenous Carricante grape. A beguiling blend of aromas of fruit, minerals and roasted nuts, plus a fresh, round taste, good acidity and with a delicate sweetness in the finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Nerello Cappuccio with dried flowers, cherries and spices in the bouquet offers elegant pleasure. Medium-bodied, delicate and ethereal on the finish. A fascinating interpretation of the autochthonous grape variety of Etna. SUPERIORE.DE

"This 100% Nerello Cappuccio, a grape usually used to blend with Nerello Mascalese, shows the juicy fruit allure of the variety. It opens with aromas of black skinned berries, dark spice, Mediterranean scrub and blue flowers while the soft, rounded palate doles out fleshy Morello cherry, white pepper and just a hint of tobacco. A salty note backs up the close, and lithe tannins provide seamless support." Wine Enthusiast

Sparkling wine aged on the lees in bottle fermentation from 100% Nerello grapes from high altitudes on the southern slopes of Mount Etna. The vines are between 10 and 20 years old and are trained in the cordon system with spur pruning. They stand on sandy, volcanic mineral-rich soils.

Fine salmon pink with ruby reflections. Restrained, fine perlage, intense and delicate bouquet of red fruits. Firm, dry, medium-bodied on the palate, supported by a well-proportioned acidity, with a discreet tannin streak on the finish. Vibrantly fresh and highly distinctive! SUPERIORE.DE

Noblesse is the very first and still extremely rare bottle-fermented sparkling wine made from Carricante, the noble autochthonous white grape of the Etna volcano. The grapes come from 20-60 year old vines that are arranged both in traditional bush vine (albarello) and in rows in the Guyot cultivation system.

Pale straw yellow with light greenish reflections. Very delicately knitted and persistent perlage, fine foam. Intense on the nose, with delicate scents of orange and lemon blossom and ripe apple. Wonderfully fresh and dry on the palate, elegant, with pleasant acidity and a beautiful aromatic, finely yeasty finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2018 Brut Carricante Noblesse is smoky yet perfumed, with dusty dried flowers giving way to crushed green apple and hints of ground ginger. This washes across the palate with crystalline bubbles and mineral-tinged orchard fruits under an air of pretty inner florals. The 2018 finishes with a salty flourish, creating a distinctly savory impression, as herbal tones and hints of Granny Smith slowly fade. While I don’t see this as a wine for the cellar, I must admit that I truly love the balance currently on display. Well done." Vinous

The Nerello grapes (100% Mascalese) come from the northern slope of Etna from plots of the Contrada Dafara Galluzzo in the Rovittello district. Opens in a delicate ruby red, the nose then fine, heady, spicy, it reveals a pretty basket of red fruits after a few minutes of aeration. Initially closed on the palate, it only gradually reveals its flavour facets, then medium pressure in the middle, at the same time very finely structured and with almost Burgundian finesse and elegance. The finish is harmonious and of excellent length. SUPERIORE.DE

"Mediterranean scrub, plum and blue flower aromas mingle together in the glass along with whiffs of moist earth. Savory and refined, the elegant, accessible palate delivers juicy black cherry, wild raspberry, star anise and saline mineral notes framed in polished tannins. It's fresh and balanced, with bright acidity." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2018 Etna Rosso Contrada Dafara Galluzzo is distinctly savory, notes of smoked meat and crushed ashen stone giving way to masses of balsam herbs and black raspberry. It's silky and pliant in feel, displaying depths of mineral-tinged blackberries, savory spice and fine tannins mounting toward the close. This becomes almost salty through the youthfully chewy finale, leaving a sense of umami and gobs of black fruit to linger. The Dafara Galluzzo will require a few years of cellaring to soften." Vinous

Benanti's new red comes 100% from the small vineyard (Contrada) Cavaliere. The vineyards in the municipality of Santa Maria di Licodìa develop at considerable altitudes (about 900 m above sea level) with favourable conditions for all indigenous varieties, both red and white berries, grown here with Guyot pruning. Here, both the Nerello and the Carricante produce wines with a well-defined structure and varietal aromas.

Radiant ruby red. Ethereal bouquet full of spice and hints of red fruits. On the palate, medium-bodied, multilayered and with a fine tannin and acid wire that complete its elegance and harmony. SUPERIORE.DE

"Aromas of crushed red cherry, rhubarb and fresh thyme. Medium-bodied with fine, slightly dry tannins. Lovely herbal character here, then minerals taking over the palate towards the end." James Suckling

Benanti's new white comes 100% from the small vineyard (Contrada) Cavaliere. The vineyards in the municipality of Santa Maria di Licodìa develop at considerable altitudes (about 900 m above sea level) with favourable conditions for all indigenous varieties, both red and white berries, grown here with Guyot pruning. Here, both the Nerello and the Carricante produce wines with a well-developed structure and varietal aromas. The vines, which are about 50 years old, stand on sandy volcanic soil that is rich in minerals. The climate is alpine, low in precipitation and provides the vines with a high degree of aeration and very large temperature differences between day and night.

Straw yellow with bright green reflections. The bouquet is intense, rich, generous and delicately fruity with hints of orange blossom and ripe apple. The palate is dry, mineral, harmonious with a pleasant acidity, aromatic pressure and an interesting aftertaste of aniseed and almonds. SUPERIORE.DE

"Stand back as this extremely intense and vibrant Etna dry white arrives! As many herbal and positively vegetal aromas as white fruit and citrus. Super-sleek and focused palate with a dangerous amount of mineral energy and samurai sword acidity. The finish lasts for minutes! Enormous aging potential." James Suckling

The area around the small town of Milo is the only vineyard on Etna where an Etna Bianco may be bottled as Superiore - and for good reason: only Carricante may be planted on the steep vineyard, which consists of dozens of small terraces. The vines are pulled up like a little tree on poles made of chestnut wood. The easterly exposure and the nearby sea allow the grapes to ripen late, thus achieving very constant acidity values and resulting in a white wine of an aromatic finesse and freshness that is unparalleled even on Etna. SUPERIORE.DE

"This has aromas of lemons, sliced apples, fennel and jasmine. It's sleek, bright and elegant, with medium body and lemony acidity. So fresh." James Suckling

Benanti's new red wine comes 100% from the Monte Serra vineyard (Contrada) and from 12-year-old Nerello Mascalese vines. The maximum production per year is just 6,000 bottles. It delights with its lively taste, enormous energy and terrificminerality and ends in a wonderfully long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"A pure expression of Nerello Mascalese, the Benanti 2018 Etna Rosso Contrada Monte Serra is a punchy and fresh red wine with fruit from the village of Viagrande at 450 meters in altitude, considered high elevation anywhere else in Italy except on Etna. The fruit comes from a wide variety of vines, ranging from 13 to 100 years old. The Monte Serra shows tart and lifted aromas of cassis and wild berry. The fruit is not very intense, but it delivers silky and delicate lines nonetheless." Robert Parker

"Light-colored with very subtle aromas of rose petals and freshly cut cherries. Medium body with very fine tannins and a long, exquisite finish. This is so refined and graceful. Subtle. Fine silk. Very Burgundian." James Suckling

Noblesse is the very first and still extremely rare bottle-fermented sparkling wine made from Carricante, the noble autochthonous white grape of the Etna volcano. The grapes come from 20-60 year old vines that are arranged both in traditional bush vine (albarello) and in rows in the Guyot cultivation system.

Pale straw yellow with light greenish reflections. Very delicately knitted and persistent perlage, fine foam. Intense on the nose, with delicate scents of orange and lemon blossom and ripe apple. Wonderfully fresh and dry on the palate, elegant, with pleasant acidity and a beautiful aromatic, finely yeasty finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"An engaging display of dusty dried flowers, incense and musky peach reaches up from the 2017 Brut Spumante Carricante Noblesse. It's silky in feel, with bright acids and a twist of sour citrus that nicely balances its soothing wave of sweet pit fruits and spice. There's notable length here, as this finishes energetic with salty minerals and inner florals. It's a testament to Carricante's ability to excel in a sparkling style. Well done. The Noblesse is produced using Metodo Classico." Vinous

The area around the small town of Milo is the only vineyard on Etna where an Etna Bianco may be bottled as Superiore - and for good reason: only Carricante may be planted on the steep vineyard, which consists of dozens of small terraces. The vines are pulled up like a little tree on poles made of chestnut wood. The easterly exposure and the nearby sea allow the grapes to ripen late, thus achieving very constant acidity values and resulting in a white wine of an aromatic finesse and freshness that is unparalleled even on Etna.

Pietra Marina is a single varietal Carricante from vines over 80 years old at an altitude of about 950m from the east side of the volcano. The grapes are harvested every year in October. In the bouquet of orange blossom and lychee, elder and apples. In the mouth harmonious, balanced, with perfectly integrated acidity and beautiful polish. Distinct character, full of elegance, profound, sensual and with a stunningly clean aroma spectrum. Probably one of the most interesting white wines in Italy! SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright and harmonious, with racy acidity and crackling saline and petrol notes wrapped in a finely woven cloak of poached pear, lemon oil, chamomile and Marcona almond flavors. Long and creamy, with a touch of honeycomb on the lightly mouthwatering finish." Wine Spectator

"The 2017 Etna Bianco Superiore Pietra Marina makes itself known with a beguiling bouquet that blends crushed oyster shells with rosemary, young apricot and hints of smoke. It’s deeply textural and elegant in feel, with ripe pit fruits that cascade across a core of zesty acids, as nuances of green citrus pinch at the cheeks. This leaves the palate buzzing with residual energy; fresh melon tones linger and are framed by a coating of salty minerality. While the 2017 shows a bit of extra ripeness from the warm vintage, it does so in such a seductive and balanced way. This is top-shelf Etna Bianco by every scope of the imagination. The Pietra Marina is an old-vines selection of Carricante from the Rinazzo Contrada on Etna’s eastern slope. It refines for 24 months on the lees in stainless steel vats prior to bottling." Vinous

"A lovely nose of fresh flowers, lemon grass, blood orange, baked pear and toasted thyme. Medium-bodied with plenty of mineral complexity. Excellent structure. Lots going on here. Floral, nutty, citrus. Bright and nuanced. Delicious." James Suckling

After almost thirty years of experience in the vinification of the famous Etna Rosso "Rovittello", the Benanti family decided in 2015 to extend the vinification, ageing and refinement of the wine to 60 months. The result is an exclusive Riserva, produced in small growthfrom vines more than 100 years old in plot no. 341, which is rightly considered one of the best reds in the region. The Nerello grapes (85% Mascalese/15% Cappuccio) come from a terraced vineyard (pre-phylloxera) in the Contrada Dafara Galluzzo in the upper area of Rovittello, part of the municipality of Castiglione di Sicilia.

Pale ruby with light garnet tones. Fine, ethereal, floral, intense, spicy, delicate bouquet with hints of ripe fruit, young tanned leather and cedar. Firm, powerful on the palate, opening up only gradually and then revealing bit by bit its depth and secrets, marked by impressive weightlessness and elegance. An extremely harmonious red with meditation potential - mineral and of remarkable persistence! SUPERIORE.DE

"Aromas of redcurrants, berries, soy, spice and ash follow through to a full body with round and polished tannins that are beautifully crafted and poised. Very fine-grained, silky texture. Persistent and beautiful." James Suckling

After almost twenty years of experience in the vinification of the famous Etna Rosso "Serra della Contessa", the Benanti family decided in 2015 to extend the vinification, ageing and refinement of the wine to 60 months. The result is an exclusive Riserva made from 85% Mascalese and 15% Cappuccio, sourced in small growthfrom vines over 100 years old (pre-phylloxera) from plot no. 587, and rightly considered one of the best reds in the region.

Bright ruby red with light garnet reflections. Ethereal and intense on the nose, with hints of wild berries, spices, precious wood and traces of white smoke. Full-bodied, elegant, harmonious, minerally and of terrificelegance and length. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2016 Etna Rosso Serra della Contessa Particella No. 587 Riserva is dark and savory in the glass, grumbling up with notes of crushed rocks and ash that evolve further to reveal musky black currants, hints of licorice and dried violets. This is velvety-smooth, yet not weighty in feel. Instead, the 2016 seems to glide effortlessly across the palate, yet what it leaves behind is a saturation of primary fruit and mineral tones, as well as silky tannins that penetrate deeply. The Serra della Contessa finishes structured yet long and unexpectedly fresh, with balsam herbs and a touch of salted licorice that slowly fades. This Etna Rosso is a powerhouse, but it is in need of cellaring to reveal all of its charms." Vinous

"Complex nose of sandalwood, cloves, dried cherries, cranberries, potpourri, incense, pine cones and crushed stones. It's medium-bodied with bright acidity and a spicy, polished and structured palate. Very fine tannins. The wood is a little obvious at the moment. Old-vine nerello mascalese with some nerello cappuccio. Try from 2024." James Suckling