Tenuta delle Terre Nere

Etna Bianco from Terre Nere offers a surprising level of depth and sophistication. The cuvée of Carricante, Catarratto, Grecanico, Inzolia and Minnella smells of grapefruit, quince, dried sage and wild mint. Fine mineral notes on the palate, develops elegantly with notes of lemon curd. Excellent quality at a very attractive price. SUPERIORE.DE

"Creamy and balanced, this light- to medium-bodied white offers notes of Mandarin orange peel, golden apple and raw almond, backed by crunchy acidity and a tangy finish." Wine Spectator

"The moment I put my nose to the glass, I questioned if this was just the entry-level 2020 Etna Bianco. Crushed stone and sea shells give way to nectarine, mint and a hint of vanilla bean to create a wildly attractive and Burgundian bouquet. On the palate, this speaks more in whispers, soft and subtle yet pleasantly sweet, contrasting ripe orchard fruits against vibrant acidity, and with gobs of minerality that sneakily collect toward the close. The medium-long finish is clean and refreshing, as hints of raw almond and pretty inner florals slowly taper off." Vinous

"I love the expressive, smoky nose that’s brimming with Amalfi lemon, plus touches of caper and parsley. Super-fresh and very crisp, but also polished, this is an exciting introduction to Etna dry whites. Fair length. A blend of indigenous grapes, dominated by Carricante." James Suckling

Fantastic Etna-cresence from vines up to 60 years old from a small single vineyard with wonderfully balanced iodine and citrus aromas. Softly flowing on the palate, profound on the palate, the fine acidity, inner sweetness and delicate wood note well integrated into the overall concept designed for a long maturation period. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright and mouthwatering, this lithe and expressive white offers a delicate skein of spice, which winds through the juicy flavors of nectarine, pineapple, lemon oil and Marcona almond. The crunchy finish chimes with hints of saline and petrol." Wine Spectator

"Welcome to the slopes of the smoking volcano! Intensely smoky and stony, this is quite a radical expression of this appellation with hardcore minerality at the long, sleek and tightly wound finish." 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 grown 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.

This historic site, called Milo, with its old vines is virtually predestined for the Etna Bianco Superiore, now in its 2nd vintage. More floral and citrus-scented on the nose than the normal Carricante, the Superiore also has a little more body, acidity, depth and finesse. The elegant acidity makes it vibrantly fresh and long and ensures exciting drinking flow and a nice ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"A well-cut white, open-knit and fresh, with an underpinning of minerally saline and finely meshed flavors of baked apricot and pear fruit, creamed almond, chamomile and preserved lemon. This is lightly chalky on the lingering finish." Wine Spectator

"The intense nose of orange, hibiscus and smoke leads you into this well structured and very crisp Etna dry white. Plenty of substance, but the mineral drive is the most striking thing about the sleek palate. Very dry, stony and smoky finish." James Suckling

This single-vineyard Carricante comes from the small vineyard Montalto, situated on the southern slope of Etna at an altitude of approx. 950m. It is the most balanced and at the same time the most exciting of all Etna Bianco from Terre Nere in its overall impression and aroma, here the whole Etna package is present in exactly the right dose: Minerality, saltiness, fruitiness and a perfect hint of flint on the nose. On the palate, it is vibrant and fine, with an almost Burgundian elegance, finesse and length. SUPERIORE.DE

"The bouquet of orange blossoms leaps out of the glass at you and, on the medium-bodied palate, this has unusual succulence for an Etna dry white. Vibrant and properly dry, but also very harmonious at the well-structured finish." James Suckling

Here comes the new single-vineyard wine, similar in style to Santo Spirito but with an "autumnal" component. Light ruby red, gravel, vanilla and a subtle hint of mint on the nose, plus some cranberry and cherry. Then fresh and exciting on the palate with a sweet and sour component and a delicate bitter vein. Compact tannin, which certainly deserves a few more years of bottle ageing. The final is herbaceous, spicy and long. SUPERIORE.DE

Santo Spirito is a wonderfully complex wine. It combines firmness, power, structure and density with the aromas of dark cherries, pomegranate, blood oranges and spicy herbal notes and closes with a furiously long final. SUPERIORE.DE

"A firm and focused red, compact and medium- to full-bodied, this is creamy on the palate, where it shows notes of chopped black cherries, milled white pepper, red licorice and bay leaf. Features a streak of racy minerality that chimes in on the finish, where the tannic frame also reemerges." Wine Spectator

"This Etna red has so much going for it, but the amerena-cherry aroma is very ripe and, on the palate, the first impression is of suppleness that we don’t immediately associate with this appellation. Lovely balance right now, thanks to the full body and moderate tannins." James Suckling

Every year one of the great single-vineyard wines of the Tenuta, representing in a highly complex way the special terroir of the high altitudes on Etna. Dark red fruits, orange peel and flowers on the nose. Then juicy fruit, wonderful depth and a finely chiselled tannin structure. A subtle spiciness on the finish and always present the outstanding structure, length and elegance! SUPERIORE.DE

"If you love big Barolos, then this Etna red is a wine for you! Packed with ripe damson-plum character, this is rich, concentrated and well-structured with concentrated tannins that build on the moderately dry, silky finish." James Suckling

Fantastic Etna-cresence from vines up to 60 years old from a small single vineyard with wonderfully balanced iodine and citrus aromas. Softly flowing on the palate, profound on the palate, the fine acidity, inner sweetness and delicate wood note well integrated into the overall concept designed for a long maturation period. SUPERIORE.DE

"Welcome to the slopes of the smoking volcano! Intensely smoky and stony, this is quite a radical expression of this appellation with hardcore minerality at the long, sleek and tightly wound finish." James Suckling

This single-vineyard Carricante comes from the small vineyard Montalto, situated on the southern slope of Etna at an altitude of approx. 950m. It is the most balanced and at the same time the most exciting of all Etna Bianco from Terre Nere in its overall impression and aroma, here the whole Etna package is present in exactly the right dose: Minerality, saltiness, fruitiness and a perfect hint of flint on the nose. On the palate, it is vibrant and fine, with an almost Burgundian elegance, finesse and length. SUPERIORE.DE

"The bouquet of orange blossoms leaps out of the glass at you and, on the medium-bodied palate, this has unusual succulence for an Etna dry white. Vibrant and properly dry, but also very harmonious at the well-structured finish." James Suckling

Feudo di Mezzo Il Quadro Delle Rose smells of roses and small red berries. It is a heavy, tannic wine that requires a little patience but finds its balance over time. A wine of exceptional finesse with great intellect. SUPERIORE.DE

"This is powerful from the get-go, brimming with dried herbs, cherry liqueur, plum paste, dried tamarind, Christmas cake and Indian curry. Full-bodied and iron-fisted, this steamrolls with decadent tannins through layer upon layer of compressed ripe fruit. Very long on the finish. Not for the faint of heart!" James Suckling

Here comes the new single-vineyard wine, similar in style to Santo Spirito but with an "autumnal" component. Light ruby red, gravel, vanilla and a subtle hint of mint on the nose, plus some cranberry and cherry. Then fresh and exciting on the palate with a sweet and sour component and a delicate bitter vein. Compact tannin that certainly deserves a few more years of bottle ageing. The final is herbaceous, spicy and long. SUPERIORE.DE

Santo Spirito is a wonderfully complex wine. It combines firmness, power, structure and density with the aromas of dark cherries, pomegranate, blood oranges and spicy herbal notes and closes with a furiously long final. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2018 Etna Rosso Santo Spirito is incredibly pretty. Crushed stone gives way to wild strawberries, then roses and, finally, nuances of sweet spice. It's silky in texture, motivated by juicy acidity, with ripe wild berry fruits complemented by sweet inner violet notes. Energy remains high as this tapers off with a twang of licorice and shades of lavender." Vinous

"Aromas of blackberry, truffle, purple flowers and Mediterranean scrub shape the enticing nose along with whiffs of dark spice. Polished and bright, the elegantly structured palate features ripe raspberry, black cherry and licorice alongside refined tannins. It closes on a hint of espresso." Wine Enthusiast

"A tight, linear red, showing cherry, watermelon and orange-peel aromas with hints of violets. It's medium-bodied with a solid center palate and a racy finish." James Suckling

Feudo di Mezzo Il Quadro Delle Rose smells of roses and small red berries. It is a heavy, tannic wine that requires a little patience but finds its balance with time. A wine of exceptional finesse with great intellect. SUPERIORE.DE

"A supple, medium-bodied red, with creamy tannins and a lovely range of ripe raspberry, rose hip and licorice flavors. A skein of spice and mineral winds through the tapestry of the fresh finish." Wine Spectator

"The 2018 Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo is dark and rich in the glass, wafting up with notes of cherry sauce, plums and Indian spice. It is deeply textural and velvety in feel, with ripe black instead of red notes, lifted by cooling mineral and minty herbs. There's an almost balsamic twang to the finish, as this leaves the palate drenched in primary fruit and grippy tannins." Vinous

"Graphite, thyme, brambly berry and violet aromas waft out of the glass along with Mediterranean scrub. Boasting youthful tension, the chiseled palate delivers succulent Marasca cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and coffee bean set against elegant, fine-grained tannins. Bright acidity keeps it balanced while a hint of saline lingers on the close." Wine Enthusiast

"The purity of fruit and brightness is very impressive with blackberry, cherry and walnut undertones. It's full, very tight and complete with really fine, polished tannins and a beautiful, long finish. Really balanced." James Suckling

Here comes the new single-vineyard wine, similar in style to Santo Spirito but with an "autumnal" component. Light ruby red, gravel, vanilla and a subtle hint of mint on the nose, plus some cranberry and cherry. Then fresh and exciting on the palate with a sweet and sour component and a delicate bitter vein. Compact tannin, which certainly deserves a few more years of bottle ageing. The final is herbaceous, spicy and long. SUPERIORE.DE

"A captivating display of black cherry and raspberry encased in a cloud of ashen earth, incense and crushed dried roses lifts up from the remarkably pretty 2018 Etna Rosso Moganazzi. It's silky in texture, energized by vibrant acidity, as violet-tinged wild berry fruits and sweet spices cascade across the senses. This is so graceful but also packed full of unseen depths, and the palate aches with youthful tension and poise throughout the long, dramatic finale. You can't help but return to the glass over and over again. The Moganazzi hails from steeply terraced 80-year-old vines on the north side of Etna, at roughly 700 meters in elevation. It's a showstopper." Vinous

"Complex aromas of ripe berries with toffee, cedar and some floral undertones. Hot ash as well. The palate is full-bodied, but tight and linear with a chewy palate and lots of dried-peach and orange-peel undertones to the ripe fruit, but always linear and focused." James Suckling

Feudo di Mezzo Il Quadro Delle Rose smells of roses and small red berries. It is a heavy, tannic wine that requires a little patience but finds its balance with time. A wine of exceptional finesse with great intellect. SUPERIORE.DE

"This charming red is well-balanced and fresh, firmed by fine-grained tannins and displaying a deftly woven range of wild strawberry and black raspberry, Earl Grey tea, rosehip, minerally stone and spice. Chewy finish." Wine Spectator

"A powerful Etna red with plenty of black-cherry and licorice character, plus a robust tannin structure. However, it also has a very exciting, cool and bright side, which comes out ever more clearly at the long, racy finish." James Suckling

The second vintage of Etna Rosso San Lorenzo comes from 4 hectares of vineyards in the district of the same name in the town of Randazzo. The vines are over 70 years old and grow about 750 metres above sea level. The soil consists almost exclusively of fine volcanic sand. The terroir in the small Contrada San Lorenzo was formed by lava flows and deposits of volcanic origin that formed 60,000 to 15,000 years ago.

This single layer Cru is particularly rich, fruity and has very soft tannins, which make it velvety and lush on the palate and ensure a never-ending finish. Great. SUPERIORE.DE

"Pale-medium ruby with some garnet glints. Dried thyme and again an almost minty note, suggesting this is a barrel influence. Milk chocolate and vanilla too. Fresh earth and spice. Oak a bit dominant on the palate right now, but there’s plenty of maraschino fruit density and firm, polished tannins to let that settle down over a couple of years. Bright acidity too." Jancis Robinson

"Vivid deep red. Perfumed sweet spice nuances complicate ripe red cherry and strawberry nectar aromas and flavors. Big, dense and juicy, with mounting tannins providing support to the ripe red fruit flavors. Very ripe and downright luscious, with a fruit-forward personality that will make this a crowd pleaser." Vinous

"Merchant Marc de Grazia was one of the first outsiders to help revive the Etna vineyards. He favours a full-bodied style, and San Lorenzo comes from old vines on the northern slopes. The nose is quite exotic, with dense clove aromas. It’s rich and suave, with seamless, fine-grained tannins and good acidity keeping it lively and peppery." Decanter

"A hearty but super balanced Etna with Christmas cake, tar, dried hibiscus, candied strawberries and orange zest. Powerful and robust on the palate with foursquare tannins and loads of decadent fruit, but it’s all wrapped up in pointed acidity. An essay in depth and elegance." James Suckling

Every year one of the great single-vineyard wines of the Tenuta, representing in a highly complex way the special terroir of the high altitudes on Etna. Dark red fruits, orange peel and flowers on the nose. Then juicy fruit, wonderful depth and a finely chiselled tannin structure. A subtle spiciness on the finish and always present the outstanding structure, length and elegance! SUPERIORE.DE

"Aromas of wild herb, violet, red berry and a hint of hazelnut come to the forefront. Taut and focused, the ethereally elegant palate offers red cherry, blood orange, star anise and a hint of espresso before a saline close. Fine-grained tannins and bright acidity provide graceful support." Wine Enthusiast

"Dried raspberry and kirsch notes are rich and juicy on the palate of this expressive, medium- to full-bodied red, accented by candied violet and star anise aromatics. It's well-balanced and mouthwatering, with an underpinning of racy minerality driving the chewy finish." Wine Spectator

"The 2018 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana keeps you at the edge of the glass, taking in its earthy yet gorgeous bouquet. Waves of crushed ashen stone, peppery herbs, blackberries and roses lift up effortlessly. This is silky in texture, with an unbelievably pure and vivid display of red fruits laced with salty minerals, as brisk acids create a sweet-and-sour tug of tension toward the close. The cheeks pucker, saturated with youthful tannin, as the 2018 Calderara Sottana clamps down hard, leaving only a hint of licorice and tart red berries in its wake. Close your eyes, and you might think this was a young, top-shelf Serralunga Barolo." Vinous

"So floral and fresh with cherries, watermelon, apples, crushed stone and flowers on the nose. It's medium-to full-bodied with firm tannins and fresh, vivid acidity that takes you down the palate." James Suckling

Strictly limited in each vintage, the Cru San Lorenzo comes from 4 hectares of vineyards in the district of the same name in the town of Randazzo. The vines are over 70 years old and grow about 750 metres above sea level, the soil consists almost exclusively of fine volcanic sand. The terroir in the small Contrada San Lorenzo was formed by lava flows and deposits of volcanic origin, which were formed between 60,000 and 15,000 years ago. This exceptional wine is particularly rich, fruity and has very soft tannins that make it velvety and lush on the palate and provide a never-ending finish. Great! SUPERIORE.DE

"A stunning combination of fully ripe red stone fruit and berries with cool thyme and sage aromas leads you into the rich, but very well structured Etna red. Lovely balance of fruit and tannin, then a velvety finish with delicate wild-herb and mineral notes." James Suckling

Strictly limited in each vintage, the Cru San Lorenzo comes from 4 hectares of vineyards in the district of the same name in the town of Randazzo. The vines are over 70 years old and grow about 750 metres above sea level, the soil consists almost exclusively of fine volcanic sand. The terroir in the small Contrada San Lorenzo was formed by lava flows and deposits of volcanic origin, which were formed between 60,000 and 15,000 years ago. This exceptional wine is particularly rich, fruity and has very soft tannins that make it velvety and lush on the palate and provide a never-ending finish. Great! SUPERIORE.DE

"As the 2018 Etna Rosso San Lorenzo blows off a bit of youthful reduction, an inviting bouquet forms, mixing violets and roses with hints of white pepper and dusty strawberry. This is seamlessly soft and polished with medium weight, ushering in floral-tinged red and hints of blue fruit which give way to sweet herbal notes. Residual acids keep the expression remarkably fresh even as youthful tannins saturate deeply, leaving bitter notes of cranberry and cherry pits to linger. The 2018 San Lorenzo has the feel of a sleeping giant, requiring a few years of cellaring to truly awaken." Vinous

"Fragrant and loaded with finesse, this opens with enticing aromas of Mediterranean brush, violet, crushed lemon thyme and star anise. On the savory, focused palate, notes of licorice, hazelnut and flinty mineral accent a juicy red berry core. Polished tannins and fresh acidity provide seamless support and balance." Wine Enthusiast

"Very complex aromas of dried berries and strawberries with orange peel, perfume and cherry. It's full-to medium-bodied with a tight, linear palate and fine tannins, as well as zesty acidity. Give it time to open." James Suckling

Every year one of the great single-vineyard wines of the Tenuta, representing in a highly complex way the special terroir of the high altitudes on Etna. Dark red fruits, orange peel and flowers on the nose. Then juicy fruit, wonderful depth and a finely chiselled tannin structure. A subtle spiciness on the finish and always present the outstanding structure, length and elegance! SUPERIORE.DE

"If you love big Barolos, then this Etna red is a wine for you! Packed with ripe damson-plum character, this is rich, concentrated and well-structured with concentrated tannins that build on the moderately dry, silky finish." James Suckling