“Sant’Andrea” Carricante Terre Siciliane IGT 2019

Pietradolce | Sicily
Flora Faro s.s. di Michele e Mario Faro | SP 117 N. 56 | IT 95018 Riposto

19220319 · 0,75 l · 265,33 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shipping< 24 units available

The vines for Sant'Andrea are rooted at an altitude of around 900 metres in the Contrada of the same name north-east of Solicchiata – one of the highest and coolest wine villages on Etna. It is a place with dramatic vegetation, fog banks, ancient lava layers and unpredictable temperature changes. Here, Carricante develops a completely independent, almost ascetic character. The grapes come from a tiny parcel of old vines, which Pietradolce cultivates with painstaking manual labour. The wine is matured with calm consistency: spontaneous fermentation in large oak barrels, followed by maturation on the fine lees for 12 months in tonneau, then bottle ageing.

Deep, bright straw yellow in the glass with golden reflections. The first impression is not of fruit, but of rock: flint, wet basalt, dried herbs and a smoky hint of mountain herbs. Then come candied lemon peel, white peach, quince, salted lemon and a hint of fennel. The palate is densely woven, with great tension and a wiry acidity typical of Carricante. The long finish echoes notes of citrus, lava rock and salty herbal spice – cool, pointed and with fine persistence. Always dry, tart, salty and grippy – a white wine with great contours and a firm structure. Not a cuddly wine, but a wine of character with a view of the big picture. A Sicilian Grand Cru that does not explain itself, but wants to be explored. Around 1,800 bottles are produced per vintage. SUPERIORE.DE

"The spicy, umami nose of old pecorino and wild herbs is in exciting tension with the sweetness of honey and the acidity of lemons. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and refreshing, tannic and nutty, but also persistently citrusy, while this umami note is joined by a subtle earthiness that introduces a finish with bitter almond skin." Wine Enthusiast

"This wine is golden in colour, with aromas of salted butter and smoke that segue into expressive layers of flavour: macerated apricots and white raspberries, spiced orange peel, raw hazelnuts and white mocha, as well as accents of wild sage and crushed pine. Long and slightly chalky on the palate, with a hint of petrol and tar on the powerful finish." Wine Spectator

"Medium golden colour. Hints of lemon curd and toast on minerals and pineapple. Nicely phenolic and structured on the palate with bright acidity and some firm tannins. Full-bodied, long and very energetic." James Suckling