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 hints of lemon curd. This is the finest Etna cinema at a very attractive price. SUPERIORE.DE

"Lovely aromas of green olives, green apples, white peaches and nori. Medium-bodied with bright acidity and a silky texture. The balance here is lovely. Seamless." 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 that certainly deserves a few more years of bottle ageing. The final is herbaceous, spicy and long. SUPERIORE.DE

"Fresh, featuring rich hints of fig cake, fragrant smoke and iron that underscore the sun-dried cherry, thyme and rosehip notes. Light- to medium-bodied, with lightly chalky tannins." Wine Spectator

"Mediterranean brush, menthol and ripe dark fruit aromas waft out of the glass. Lithe and linear, the taut palate offers tart cherry, blood orange and licorice alongside fine-grained tannins. It closes on a hint of flint." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2019 Etna Rosso Moganazzi is spicy and intense, blasting up from the glass with crushed ashen stone, red currants, wild strawberries, sage and hints of cedar. It’s rich and pliant upon entry, yet quickly firms up through a mix of mineral-tinged berries, brisk acids and grippy tannins that arrive quite early and hold firm. That said, there is plenty of primary fruit and depth to balance, as it tapers off structured and long, leaving hints of licorice and inner rose to linger. This is only the third vintage of Moganazzi, which comes from steeply terraced 80-year-old vines at 650 meters on the north side of Etna." Vinous

Here comes a fairly 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

"This shows dark cherries, dried flowers, bitter cocoa, slate, nutmeg and mocha. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, creamy and very well-integrated tannins. Lots of power. Yet all in check. Persistent. Only 4,000 bottles. Fantastic already, but better after 2023." James Suckling

Guardiola - an intoxicating Etna Rosso with great aromas of spices and mineral hints. Persistent on the palate, with great fruit and subtle elegance. A terroir-typical masterpiece, definitely aerate beforehand! SUPERIORE.DE

"A perfumed nose of crushed red and black cherry, wet stone, whole nutmeg and lemon zest. Medium-bodied with fine, guiding tannins. Structured and expressive, with so much lovely red fruit and ground spice. The tension here gives the palate lovely energy and drive." James Suckling

Santo Spirito is a wonderfully complex wine that always remains in balance. 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

"This has a perfumed nose of rose-hips, currants, pomegranates, violets, lemon zest, cloves and cinnamon stick. Seductive spicy character. Almost peppery, with a medium body and firm, tight-grained tannins. Lots of tension." 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 French oak, camphor and Mediterranean brush lead the nose. Reflecting the aromas, the linear palate features coconut, vanilla, raw oak and cranberry before a saline finish. Taut, fine-grained tannins provide support." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2019 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana slowly blossoms in the glass, unfurling with a layered and deep display of black cherries, licorice camphor and pine. Further swirling unlocks balsam herbs, plum sauce and dusty rose. It rushes the palate with a wave of silken textures, filling the senses with red currants, blueberry and hints of candied citrus. Fine tannins emerge through the finale, previously masked by ripe inner fruits, making for a lightly structured finish. A salty flourish gives way to hints of graphite and black licorice that linger on and on. While I’m accustomed to Calderara Sottana being one of the more structured and backward wines from the Terre Nere portfolio, the 2019 possesses an early appeal that I find quite attractive. That said, there’s an underlying power here that only cellaring will unlock." Vinous

"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

"Sottana lies on an ancient lava flow and hosts centenarian vines. Spice and graphite blends with aromas of violet, berry fruits and Mediterranean scrub. Long and dynamic in the mouth, with a splendid savoury note a flinty, mineral undercurrent and lithe, polished tannins. Captivating complexity." Decanter

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 rust, sea urchins, wild thyme, salted plums, Seville oranges, walnuts and asphalt. Very fine, tight-grained tannins. Intense rust and mineral quality, with a medium-bodied, elegant palate. Long and savory." 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 and great intellect. SUPERIORE.DE

"A gorgeous nose of red cherry, ripe strawberry, orange, rose petal, sage and bay leaf. Medium-to full-bodied with lovely depth and fine-tuned intensity. A subtle note of ash comes through, but the palate comes across as fresh and juicy, with succulent red fruit and berries." 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

"Complex nose of oyster shell, bay leaves, dark cherries, currants, sweet cherries and hazelnuts. Delicious roundness and sweetness to the fruit, with firm, very fine and powdery tannins. Medium-to full-bodied. Hints of cocoa and charcoal at the end. Long and persistent." James Suckling

This Carricante of up to 100 year old vines from small individual sites does not let anything get to its variety and terroir origin. Fine fruity scent, mineral and with a fresh sea breeze. Powerful, well structured, fine wood notes, balanced and long on the palate. SUPERIORE.DE

"The finest Etna Bianco I have ever tasted; 100% Carricante, aged in oak with great depth of fruit; a powerful white that should drink well for another 5-7 years, but perhaps even longer." Tom Hyland, Forbes Magazine

"Cedar, citrus and botanical herb aromas shape the alluring nose. On the elegantly structured palate, vibrant acidity frames golden apple, lemon drop candy and a hint of butterscotch. It closes on a slightly honeyed mineral note." Wine Enthusiast

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

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

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

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

"Fresh, featuring rich hints of fig cake, fragrant smoke and iron that underscore the sun-dried cherry, thyme and rosehip notes. Light- to medium-bodied, with lightly chalky tannins." Wine Spectator

"Mediterranean brush, menthol and ripe dark fruit aromas waft out of the glass. Lithe and linear, the taut palate offers tart cherry, blood orange and licorice alongside fine-grained tannins. It closes on a hint of flint." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2019 Etna Rosso Moganazzi is spicy and intense, blasting up from the glass with crushed ashen stone, red currants, wild strawberries, sage and hints of cedar. It’s rich and pliant upon entry, yet quickly firms up through a mix of mineral-tinged berries, brisk acids and grippy tannins that arrive quite early and hold firm. That said, there is plenty of primary fruit and depth to balance, as it tapers off structured and long, leaving hints of licorice and inner rose to linger. This is only the third vintage of Moganazzi, which comes from steeply terraced 80-year-old vines at 650 meters on the north side of Etna." Vinous

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

"The 2019 Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo impresses with a dark and rich bouquet that pulls you close with notes of sugar-dusted plums, cloves, spiced citrus peels and hints of pine. It fleshes out across the palate with a salty mix of red berries and wild herbs, more lifted than anticipated yet potent. Grippy tannins mount toward the close. For all of its underlying power, the 2019 tapers off amazingly fresh, yet also structured, with a mix of inner violet and rose. Feudo di Mezzo combines both vivid fruit and the vertical build for a long and steady maturation." Vinous

"Dark spice, new leather, wild berry and eucalyptus are some of the aromas you'll find on this lovely red. Sleek and sultry, the elegant palate offers Marasca cherry, raspberry, cedar and star anise alongside lithe, fine-grained tannins. Enjoy through 2029." Wine Enthusiast

"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

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

"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

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 French oak, camphor and Mediterranean brush lead the nose. Reflecting the aromas, the linear palate features coconut, vanilla, raw oak and cranberry before a saline finish. Taut, fine-grained tannins provide support." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2019 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana slowly blossoms in the glass, unfurling with a layered and deep display of black cherries, licorice camphor and pine. Further swirling unlocks balsam herbs, plum sauce and dusty rose. It rushes the palate with a wave of silken textures, filling the senses with red currants, blueberry and hints of candied citrus. Fine tannins emerge through the finale, previously masked by ripe inner fruits, making for a lightly structured finish. A salty flourish gives way to hints of graphite and black licorice that linger on and on. While I’m accustomed to Calderara Sottana being one of the more structured and backward wines from the Terre Nere portfolio, the 2019 possesses an early appeal that I find quite attractive. That said, there’s an underlying power here that only cellaring will unlock." Vinous

"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

"Sottana lies on an ancient lava flow and hosts centenarian vines. Spice and graphite blends with aromas of violet, berry fruits and Mediterranean scrub. Long and dynamic in the mouth, with a splendid savoury note a flinty, mineral undercurrent and lithe, polished tannins. Captivating complexity." Decanter

Etna Rosso Prephylloxera Vigna di Don pepis a breathtakingly elegant Etna Rosso in miniature. Dazzling pure dark red and infinitely wide fruit aroma. Of impeccable balance and structure on the palate. The tannins are present yet wonderfully elegant and balanced. An explosive wine made from 100 percent Nerello Mascalese - and from ancient vines in Calderara and Santo Spirito. SUPERIORE.DE