“Contrada Monte Serra” Bianco Etna DOC 2024

Benanti Viticoltori | Sicily
Benanti Viticoltori S.p.a. | Via Garibaldi 361 | IT 95029 Viagrande

19131024 · 0,75 l · 61,33 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shippingavailable immediately

Giuseppe Benanti founded his winery in 1988; ten years later, he moved to Viagrande, the area from which his grandfather had originally come. On the south-eastern flank of Mount Etna, Monte Serra, an ancient volcanic cone, rises up. It was formed by an eruption through its own vent, separate from Etna's magma chamber, and left behind light ejecta: sandy volcanic soil with small pieces of pumice, so well-drained that the roots must dig deep in search of water. At altitudes of 450 to 500 metres, the vineyard is predominantly planted with young Carricante vines, trained in a bush style, at a density of around 8,000 per hectare. The grapes are harvested by hand at the end of September. After destemming and gentle pressing, the must ferments for around 15 days in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, using a yeast strain that Benanti has selected itself in the vineyard following years of research. Twelve months on the fine lees, with regular stirring, followed by six months' ageing in the bottle.

Pale yellow with greenish highlights. The bouquet is intense and rich, yet delicate, with notes of orange blossom and apple. Dry on the palate, the lively acidity brings a juicy freshness with a slightly salty edge, and the long finish lingers with hints of citrus. The mountain never rests, and this wine is wide awake. SUPERIORE.DE

"A bright straw-yellow colour with golden glints. Cold smoke on the nose, along with a hint of flint and subtle woody notes, followed by yellow stone fruit and juicy citrus, elegant. Juicy on the palate, with mouth-watering acidity, a compact fruit core, very well-balanced and with above-average length." Falstaff

"The 2024 Etna Bianco Contrada Monte Serra is distinctly spicy on the nose, with notes of musky nectarine, wet stones and wild herbs. Ripe orchard fruits and a hint of camomile provide a counterbalance to a austere, mineral core. Pleasantly taut and refined, the 2024 leaves a salty finish, whilst the spicy notes slowly fade away." Vinous

"The 2024 Etna Bianco Contrada Monte Serra is more robust and full-bodied than the Contrada Cavaliere. Its flavour profile is characterised by greater maturity, and it has a much more pronounced presence on the mid-palate, where the wine reveals notes of saffron, cream and even a hint of savoury shellfish sauce. Lovely and full-bodied – perhaps it reflects the heat of the vintage, although it has enough substance to warrant a longer ageing period." Wine Advocate

"Complex, with aromas of jasmine, candied lemon, toasted almonds and a hint of iodine and sea spray. Creamy yet spicy on the palate, with impressive texture and depth. Hints of the sea lend it an extra dimension, whilst the distinctive structure supports the long, seductive finish." James Suckling